Somerset Lodge Overview & Comments

Bed & Breakfast, Guest House in Somerset West, Western Cape   

Rates From: R360

  

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Overview & Comments

The land on which Somerset Lodge now stands was originally known as the Arksey Farm,which was utilised primarily as apple and pear orchards. The farm was originally named "Arksey" in 1784 after the village of the same name in Yorkshire. The legendary "Still" on the old farm has long been demolished but its memory and purpose lives on to this day in what has to be described as South Africa's quaintest pub- the " Arksey Village Pub" located on the property of Somerset Lodge. 

The property at that time ran from what is now Somerset House School which is located on the old Cloetenberg farm right down to what is now the Somerset West Country Club and consisted of many hundreds of acres. 

Before its first sub-division a dirt track ran through the middle of the farm. That little dirt track has since developed and is now Main Road. Sir Lowry Cole, engineer and architect of the British Empire would have crossed the farm when grading what has subsequently become Sir Lowry's Pass, gateway to the Overberg.

In 1820, Lord Charles Somerset graciously allowed the thriving little community in the area to be named after himself. Thirty years later, the farmhouse which is now Somerset Lodge was built and has served as the resting spot for travellers passing through the area ever since. The building is of Cape Dutch design and the original Oregon pine and 18 inch thick walls can still be viewed. 

In the 1940's the Arksey Farm guesthouse, as it was known, was the geographical centre of the village of Somerset West. It became a boarding house, or doss house, for the returning soldiers of World War Two. Upgraded in the 1960's it became a popular Lodge for international visitors and locals alike.

Situated on 4874 sq. metres of land Somerset Lodge is the last piece of privately owned property on Main Road Somerset West with undeveloped open space and gardens. Although barren, two of the original fruit trees still claim their place in the garden. Ownership has changed hands three times since the 1960's and Simon and Andrea intend keeping the spirit of Somerset Lodge going for many years to come.