PULA HOUSE
Guest House Accommodation
in Smithfield, Free State, South Africa
Pula House, "Halfway to Anywhere in South Africa", is the unexpected oasis in the middle of the Southern Free State's unspoiled, seemingly endless, rolling prairie land.
We are in fact halfway between Gauteng and the Eastern Cape Coast and Wild Coast; and between Cape Town and Durban on the shortest non-Transkei route - which makes us the ideal stopover, whatever your destination.
Overlooking the most beautiful, verdant gardens, the historic old great house has established an enviable international reputation as one of South Africa's most respected guesthouses.
Pula House will take pleasure in treating all your senses. You'll thoroughly enjoy...
... the highly original and vibrant decor in an artistically restored 19th Century house;
... browsing among the eclectic collections of books and art;
... unwinding with a drink in front of a roaring winter fire in a spectacular drawing room, or beneath one of our awe-inspiring Free State summer night skies;
... the beautiful gardens - with interesting nooks to explore, bubbling water features and a quirky plunge pool.
... sleeping in the peace and quiet of the countryside - on feather-and-down pillows, imported sheets, and jolly comfortable mattresses - surrounded by art and good books.
Our Kestrels Cottage, opening onto the gardens, was named after a family of Rock Kestrels living on our front verandah and a feature of our lives.
But the real joy of Pula House is, as a friend once remarked, simply relaxing, with the personal attention that is our specialty. After all, we've been practising it for 20 years, beginning with our ancient inns in England.
More energetic visitors to the countryside look for the usual countryside activities - and we have them all. In the surrounding hills are trails to be walked, a wide variety of birds to be watched, and, given due warning, horses to be ridden. This is apart from the usual sporting activities such as golf (on a delightful course designed by British Army officers during the Boer War), tennis and bowls.
Slightly further afield, why take in a charming 20,000 hectare nature reserve, as well as the Gariep Lake, largest stretch of inland water in South Africa, or the warm water spa in
Aliwal North. The mountains of the Stormberg, a branch of the Drakensberg, are only an hour’s drive away, as are several ancient rock art sites. Or, more immediately at hand, take a conducted tour of local historic sites.
You will be able to see more of Pula House, by finding us in Portfolio Bed & Breakfast Collection as well as the Greenwood Guide's Special Handpicked Accommodation in South Africa.
Soon after arriving in
Smithfield, Barbara opened a craft gallery close to Pula House as an outlet for the work of unemployed members of the local community. Biba's Gallery has expanded to embrace our increasing number of local artists as well as a wide range of fascinating handcraft from all over Southern Africa. It is now a 'must' for visitors to Smithfield.
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