View by Appointment: “Oatlands House” – a majestic heritage home in the heart of the tranquil and leafy suburb of Oatlands in Grahamstown (Makhanda). This historic gem of a homestead was built 200 years ago by Lt. Henry Somerset (son of Lord Charles Somerset) in 1823.
Oatlands House was proclaimed a National Monument in 1977, and a Provincial Heritage Site in 1989. It has a long and fascinating history. Since the home was built, the previous ten owners have each complemented the graceful establishment by applying another layer of history to this magnificent and well-maintained property.
Set on 9306m2 of land, the house stands elevated amidst majestic old trees and is graced with a grand roof with towering chimneys. The house is one of grand proportions with large double-volume rooms.
It has three beautiful reception rooms, in which many balls have been held throughout its history, the last taking place in 1986. This was a Victorian Ball held as a fundraiser for the Diocesan School for Girls.
There are five ornate Victorian fireplaces in the bedrooms and kitchen, as well as a large fireplace in each of the reception rooms. In the main house, there are three large and very comfortable bedrooms and two bathrooms. The veranda wraps around the home, creating an additional outdoor setting that could be enclosed as sunrooms or the like.
The two delightful garden cottages have ample accommodation for guests and are divided independently of each other. Open hearth fireplaces as well as a Dutch oven are testament to days gone by. There is a vast amount of additional storage space located in the large cellar under the main building. The property has two capacious garages with room for three cars. There is also a flat/domestic quarter, behind the garage with a kitchenette, bathroom, and bedroom.
This is country-style suburban living at its finest and is the perfect place to settle in and wind down from the bustle of the city.
Alternatively, the homestead would be ideal for a boutique hotel, a guest house, or a beauty spa. For anything else you would like to know, including further historical information, or for a private viewing, kindly contact me.
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