RICKETY BRIDGE MANOR HOUSE

ACCOMMODATION

The silence has a welcome presence for guests at the Rickety Bridge Manor House. You might hear the heartbeat of history as it caresses you to sleep.

Lie still in the stylishly renovated 19th century rooms of this beautiful Franschhoek guest house, it's easy to do. With every luxury of a four-star hotel, the three en-suite rooms also offer the comforting pleasures of home.

Every detail has been considered in this Franschhoek luxury accommodation; classic Cape Dutch furniture, a fire-warmed lounge and country kitchen. Dramatic yellow-wood beamed ceilings and pine floors polished with layers of history.

Our friendly, personalised approach ensures your experience is pleasurable in every way. Let us serve your breakfast in our quaint breakfast room or, if you prefer, by the side of the swimming pool set in purple-mountain surroundings.     

All rooms have air conditioning, underfloor heating, satellite television, mini bars, tea and coffee facilities, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards and free wi fi connectivity.

Rickety Bridge is an enchanting Franschhoek wine estate that offers a new delight with every visit. Taste our celebrated wines on leather fireside couches. Enjoy a gourmet lunch, and discover one certainty. During every moment spent on this side of the bridge, you won't want to be anywhere else in the world.

RESERVATIONS

Please click Check Availability & Rates to enquire about our family friendly room options, availability & rates.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations will only be accepted upon written acknowledgement of the cancellation.

Cancellation Fees Applicable
16 to 30 days prior to arrival, 50% of invoice amount.
Less than 15 days prior to arrival, 100% of invoice amount.

HISTORY

The rickety bridge straddling the Franschhoek River takes you into vineyards nestling against the Dassenberg Mountain

A valley filled with mystery, romance and rich memories of long ago. Images of a feeble, somewhat tottering bridge are soon forgotten as one crosses the rickety bridge, to this remarkable wine estate.

In 1688, the first French Huguenots came to the Cape, escaping religious persecution in France. The Dutch government of the day granted the Huguenots land in the area then known as Oliphantshoek. The Huguenots were instrumental in improving the Cape's wine industry bringing with them vast knowledge of viticulture and winemaking which the Dutch did not possess.

The French Huguenots renamed the area, Franschhoek, and established 7 original farms, namely: Chamonix, Dieu Donne, La Cotte, La Motte, La Dauphine, Cabriere and La Provence.

The land that is now Rickety Bridge was part of the original La Provence farm.

Over the years these properties were subdivided and on the 13th of May 1797 a quitrent grant was given in favour of the widow Paulina de Villiers, granting her the land she called Paulina's Drift.  

Paulina's Drift was sold to Pieter de Villiers, under the name Zandrift. On the 15th of October 1813, a portion of the farm (the present Rickety Bridge) changed ownership to one Hendrick Lodewicus Pepler and on the 9th of February 1829 to his widow, Elizabeth Catharina de Villiers under the name Paulina's Dal. "Dal" meaning valley, which was found at the other end of the river. She extended the farm and had 40,000 vines planted, producing grapes for wine and brandy. In 1831 Paulina's Dal was given to her son, Abraham Johannes Pepler.

Apparently he built the manor house, between 1829 and 1831. The main provincial or public road passed directly in front of the Manor House and the present cellar. The position of the road has since changed to its current location. The old original rickety bridge, that consisted mainly of sleeper wood beams, was too narrow for larger vehicles, which necessitated them to come through other farms by means of the old road for deliveries. This was probably the main reason for changing and rebuilding the bridge, to the concrete state, during 1996.  

In 2000, Duncan Spence, a British businessmen recognized the potential of Rickety Bridge and acquired the property.

CONFERENCE & BANQUETING

Far from the rush and routine, a conference in the tranquil setting of the Rickety Bridge wine estate does not feel like a day's work.

Escape the rush of the city and organise your conference in the peaceful setting of the Rickety Bridge Wine Estate in Franschhoek.
The stylish, fully air-conditioned conference venue and banqueting hall is set in our renovated old barrel cellar, which also offers a comfortable breakaway room and scenic smoking verandah with stunning views over the Franschhoek mountains.

The conference venue can accommodate up to 40 delegates seated in board or school-room style, 60 in U-shape and 90 in cinema style. Full and half day packages are available with customised catering.
If you are searching for an intimate conference venue in Cape Town, consider Basse Provence, our neighbouring property, where conferences can be held in a private meeting room which can accommodate up to 10 delegates.

Embraced in natural splendour and historic intrigue, Rickety Bridge is an enchanting Franschhoek wine estate that offers a new delight with every visit. Get to know your colleagues better while sampling some of our celebrated wines or during a gourmet meal at our Restaurant in the Vines. Accommodation is also available in the luxurious Manor House or at our charming neighbouring estate, Basse Provence.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES

The following facilities are offered:

Seating can be arrange in any format to suit the needs of your conference.

Our seating capacities are as follows:
School Room - 40 pax
Cinema - 90 pax
U-Shaped - 60 pax
Board Room - 40 pax

WEDDINGS

Discover a place, where every occasion is warmly embraced in the mysteries of past loves and lives, and each celebration is unique.

A Franschhoek wine estate is the perfect place for your dream wedding and Rickety Bridge wine estate is the perfect choice of wedding venue. The warm memories of your Franschhoek wedding will last a life time.

Host up to 85 family and friends in the charming Cape Dutch banqueting hall converted from the original barrel maturation cellar into a beautiful wedding venue or any number of guests can be accommodated in an elegant marquee set in the Manor House gardens.

This Franschhoek wedding venue has an additional breakaway room which converts easily into a chapel and can be used as a dance floor or service area for a buffet style dinner.

The wedding venue has a convenient smoking verandah overlooking the vineyards and Franschhoek mountains, which can be covered with a Bedouin tent and used for a dance floor, pre-lunch or dinner canapes or simply as a relaxing lounge area.

Alternatively the Manor House gardens can be used for a wedding ceremony with a gazebo set up on the lawns, providing magnificent views and a memorable occasion.

The idyllic setting of the Rickety Bridge wine estate provides many stunning backgrounds for photography.

So cross the bridge over the Franschhoek River and discover your perfect wedding venue amongst the vines.

EXTRA INFORMATION

THE BANQUETING HALL
Up to 85 wedding guests can dine in comfort and style in our banqueting hall. The hall is adjacent to the dance floor, has a cosy bar area and a private VIP loft lounge. The banqueting hall has a verandah overlooking vines and mountains which is ideal as a dance floor, lounge area, etc. This area can be covered with a marquee for protection against the elements.

A CEREMONY WITH A DIFFERENCE
Should you wish to hold your ceremony at RicketyBridge, it will be our pleasure to welcome you to our "chapel", which seats 60 people. The "chapel" is a room adjacent to the banqueting hall which has been especially prepared to accommodate ceremonies.

A GARDEN CEREMONY
A backdrop of the magnificent mountains, the views across the vineyards will lend an air of splendour to the occasion. An outdoor ceremony will enable you to share these superb surroundings with your guests.

THE WEDDING MENU
We offer a selection of canapés, starters, main courses and desserts from which you can compile your ideal menu.  In consultation with our expert chefs we will help you decide on a variety of courses to suit the budget and the theme of your wedding.  Let us know of any special dietary needs including vegetarian meals or special requests and we will gladly arrange them for you. The menus are priced per person and exclude beverages.

WINES AND BAR
Rickety Bridge wines only. Sparkling wine and Champagne may be brought in at R35 corkage per bottle, or purchased from our list available. Cash bar available.