About 20km from Robertson on a good tarred road lies the charming village of McGregor.
There, you can find good wines, delicious food and some of the most attractive 19th-century architecture in the Western Cape.
A meander through Voortrekker Street will unveil quaint Cape Dutch architecture, inviting cafes, artisanal shops offering local crafts and the vibrant pulse of McGregor’s artistic community.
McGregor is one of the Western Cape’s best-kept secrets. The town remains uncommercialised, combining timeless charm with contemporary vibrancy. Bespoke shops, cosy delis and country-style restaurants line the streets.
Kids with their dogs roam freely about, evoking a sense of nostalgia linked to a time when children could play without worry.
McGregor is home to a tight-knit community. This is evident in the ballet school, which is being built by Caroline Graat from the Netherlands. Graat and her late husband, Jan, fell in love with the town while visiting years ago.
In particular, the couple noticed the children of McGregor and decided to focus on building their futures alongside the townspeople. In 2019, they founded the Symbulon Charitable Trust, a non-profit authorised by the Cape Town High Court to support their efforts in the fields of dance, music and theatre.
‘The strength of the “dance, music and theatre” paradigm for the development of the local youths is so convincing and worthwhile that it deserves to be applied on a larger scale,’ their website states.
‘The immediate reward of being part of a creative process is already a novel and fulfilling part of the children’s lives. But by becoming part of a supportive and stimulating structure, the children are less socially insulated, develop their social and language skills, learn to concentrate, are more curious and become better students. Perhaps uniquely so, the horizon defining their future moves beyond McGregor.’
The dance hall is nearly done and if all goes well, the building is scheduled to open in November this year. Once complete, it will also host the town’s first amphitheatre.
A little ways away, via a short drive on Fabian’s Donkey Cart, is the Breede Family Centre, a skills-training centre where children aged up to 15 years are equipped with basic life skills to become self-confident and well-balanced adults.
Annelien van der Cooff, a volunteer at the centre, teaches the children how to play the ukulele. ‘In 2022, I wanted to do something that is worthwhile with my life. I sat in my car with my guitar and my sculpture tools and I waited,’ she told Cape {town} Etc.
‘Two little boys came running down the street and they had a packet of rice and a packet of soup powder. And they said: “Can you cook rice, tannie?” And I said: “Of course I can cook rice. But what are your names? Don’t you want to learn how to play the guitar?”
One of them was named Elvis. ‘I said, “Elvis? Elvis must play a guitar.”’ And that’s how her journey at the centre started, with just one student. Last year, she introduced the ukulele and in January her group received eight instruments. She offers classes twice per week, for children aged seven and up.
‘I believe that music rewires people’s brains, and that’s why I do this,’ she added.
You’ll also notice lush greenery throughout the town. Competitions for the best garden are regularly held, so each resident pulls out all the stops.
The only rule is that you need to create the garden yourself. Volunteers are available to teach residents all about gardening, but each person still has to grow their own plants, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their gardens.
In addition to its vibrant community initiatives and scenic beauty, McGregor thrives as an artistic hub. The Potters House stands as a testament to the town’s creative spirit, where local artisans Sonja and Johnny showcase their work. Sonja is a hand-build ceramicist who specialises in unique teapots finished with 22-carat-gold lustre – all hand-painted.
Johnny creates beautiful functional ware and handcrafted soaps featuring local wild herbs and flowers. Their studio is housed in the historic Potters House, originally built in 1890 by the Goussard family. Johnny and Sonja have restored the building to its former glory.
McGregor also boasts a burgeoning reputation in winemaking. The town’s scenic vineyards produce a range of exceptional wines, celebrated for their quality and unique terroir.
Enjoy a tasting of five McGregor Vineyard wines with a small pairing plate of cheese, pesto and chocolate at McGregor Winery, or indulge in a tasting at Ilze Schutte’s Bemind Wyne boutique garagiste wine cellar in Voortrekker Street, among other options.
McGregor, just a short drive from Robertson, embodies the essence of the Western Cape’s allure. Whether you’re drawn by history, art, or simply a warm welcome, McGregor promises an enriching experience that celebrates the best of the province.
Compiled by
First Published on Cape Town etc
Also see: Explore quiet towns in the Western Cape
