Colonial Elegance on the Plains of Camdeboo

The easily accessible and historic Colleton estate, (formerly known as Colletton House) lies just 15 minutes from Graaff‑Reinet, and is set on 150 hectares overlooking the sweeping Plains of Camdeboo. At its heart stands a grand Cape Colonial residence, with commanding views across the plains and the Tandjiesberg as a dramatic backdrop. The property offers a tranquil rural atmosphere with strong potential for tourism or micro‑agricultural ventures. Surrounded in its entirety by an adjoining farm, the estate enjoys a secluded position with enhanced privacy and security.

Alongside the main residence, a neat guest cottage and numerous outbuildings extend the footprint of the estate. Though many outbuildings are currently dilapidated, they present excellent opportunities for restoration and adaptive reuse. The estate carries a distinguished provenance, having once been acquired by Sir Abe Bailey, the renowned South African diamond and gold tycoon, for his personal secretary. A champion racehorse stud was established here, and the property still retains the old stable block and irrigation infrastructure linked to this distinguished past.

LOCATION: ± 11 km south of Graaff-Reinet

SIZE: ± 150.6783 ha

HOMESTEAD: The east‑facing 19th‑century residence, measuring 480 m², is characterised by generously proportioned rooms with high ceilings. It offers two bedrooms with full en‑suite bathrooms, an office, and a guest toilet. The living spaces include a spacious kitchen with central island, a formal dining room, a formal lounge, and a separate sitting room, all reflecting the scale and refinement of the period. An additional guest bedroom with en‑suite bathroom is located in a nearby annex, providing privacy and flexibility for visitors.

Victorian character is immediately evident in the generous veranda wrapping around three sides of the residence, adorned with decorative timber fretwork below the gutter line and ornamental cast‑iron cresting along the roof ridge. Elegant sash windows are complemented by traditional louvred shutters, while dormer vents crowned with finials add further distinction to the roofline.

Inside, finely crafted Oregon pine floors and ceilings set the tone, complemented by Oregon four‑panelled doors, several pairs of happy doors, and moulded, detailed architraves. The doors are fitted with porcelain knobs, while picture rails and high skirting boards reinforce the period detailing. Two cast‑iron fireplaces with Oregon pine lintels and surrounds complete the refined Victorian interior.

Set between towering palm trees on a ridge overlooking the Sunday’s River and the Karoo plains, the homestead was formerly surrounded by sweeping green lawns and includes a 40 m² swimming pool for leisure and relaxation. A clay tennis court, in need of attention, further enhances the property’s recreational appeal, offering a refined lifestyle in harmony with its dramatic setting.

GUEST COTTAGE: This 180 m² cottage, situated approximately 170 m from the main residence, comprises three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of which is en‑suite. The house further includes a kitchen, scullery, a combined lounge/dining room, and a covered veranda. An adjacent 70 m² building provides a covered carport together with an additional en‑suite bedroom, offering flexibility for guests or extended family accommodation. The cottage also retains period character, with sash windows fitted with louvred shutters and a fireplace adding warmth and charm.

OUTBUILDINGS: Adjoining the main residence is a 150 m² annex with a front veranda, housing a single garage, laundry, storerooms, and a guest bedroom with en‑suite bathroom. Behind this stands a carport with corrugated iron roof, together with the 50 m² former dairy, now converted into two storerooms. The 36 m² former schoolhouse with covered stoep, is also utilised for storage. A 50 m² staff cottage is also located on the property.

The estate further includes a number of dilapidated outbuildings, most notably an impressive stable block with 12 stables, complemented by fodder stores, storerooms, and four additional stables housed in two attractively constructed stone buildings with pitched roofs. A 120 m² milking shed is situated nearby, while a 260 m² shed with lean‑to structures on either side, originally housing water‑pumping infrastructure, has been converted into a livestock shed. Two further staff cottages are also found on the property. Though in need of restoration, these structures offer excellent potential for adaptive reuse and contribute to the estate’s historic character.

MOVABLE ASSETS: The dining room furniture, valued at approximately R 41,000.00, is included in the purchase price. This comprises an elegant 10‑seater yellowwood table with matching chairs and dresser, together with all curtains and blinds throughout the residence. In addition, further selected furniture valued at R 110,000.00 is available to the purchaser by separate arrangement.

FARM INFRASTRUCTURE: The property is securely fenced and subdivided into several camps. Farming infrastructure includes perimeter and internal fencing, livestock handling facilities, and watering points, all of which are in need of attention. A rudimentary road network provides access to the old lands and camps.

WATER SUPPLY: The property has three boreholes, two of which are fitted with submersible pumps and powered by solar panels, supplying adequate water for domestic purposes. In addition, there are several small earth dams. The main residence also has three durable polyethylene water storage tanks fitted with pressure pumps.

POWER: Municipal Eskom power

CARRYING CAPACITY: ± 19 ha – 20 ha / Large Stock Unit – Govt. Assessment 2018

ANNUAL RAINFALL: ± 280 mm (predominantly late summer rainfall)

TOPOGRAPHY & SOIL: The property, roughly square in shape, is situated on a series of low ridges along the west bank of the Sunday’s River. Its highest point, approximately 725 m ASL, lies on a ridge at the western boundary, while the lowest point, about 680 m ASL, is found on the riverbanks in the south-east. Between the two north–south ridgelines are two shallow depressions, one draining northwards and the other southwards. A portion of the land on the eastern and south-eastern boundary, estimated at 15–20 hectares adjoining the river, consists of fertile alluvium. This area was historically irrigated from a weir on the Sunday’s River. Most of the buildings and farming infrastructure are located on the eastern half of the property. The western ridge is composed predominantly of dolerite, while the remainder of the property consists mainly of mudstone, shale, and sandstone. Fertile alluvial soils are found alongside the river and within the two depressions.

VEGETATION: The vegetation is typical of the lower Karoo biome below the escarpment. It is dominated by dwarf and succulent Karoo shrubs, with riverine thicket along the watercourses, complemented by larger shrubs and scattered trees. Seasonal conditions support a reasonably good grass cover.

Smaller shrubs include Anchor Karoo Bush (Pentzia incana), Bloublommetjie (Felicia muricata), Star-flower Thick-foot (Pachypodium succulentum, Thorn Vygie (Ruschia spinose), Wild Asparagus (Asparagus aethiopicus), Wild Rosemary (Eriocephalus africanus), and Yellow Milk Bush (Euphorbia mauritanica).

Larger shrubs and trees include Black Storm (Cadaba aphylla), Cross Berry (Grewia occidentalis), Karee (Searsia lancea), Karoo Honey Thorn (Lycium oxycarpum), Mesquite (Prosopis sp.), Spekboom (Portulacaria afra), Spike Thorn (Maytenus heterophylla), Sweet Thorn (Vachellia karoo), and Wild Pomegranate (Rhigozum obovatum),

Grass species include Blue Buffalo Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), Buffalo Grass (Panicum maximum), Bur Bristle Grass (Setaria verticillata), Carrot-seed Grass (Tragus berteronianus), Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum), Klipgras (Aristida diffusa), Quick Grass (Cynodon dactylon), Spear Grass (Heteropogon contortus), andTassle Three-Awn (Aristida congesta). Some historical overgrazing has resulted in sheet erosion in the northern leegte.