into Coot Club: Laidback Luxury On The Lagoon in South Africa’s Western Cape / By Georgie Bentley-Buckle / Publisher LLM Reporters

In 1934 British author Arthur Ransome wrote the book Coot Club, the fifth in his series Swallows and Amazons.

The story follows a gaggle of children who visit England’s Norfolk Broads for their Easter holidays to perfect their sailing skills for the swallows and amazons on their return to the Lake District later that year.

Ransome’s book has been brought to life in the form of Coot Club, a hushed hideaway in a private nature reserve on the Klein Rivier Lagoon in South Africa’s Western Cape.

Checking out 6,000 miles south of the English setting the book depicts, I come across it, and flicking through its chapters learn the special place we’ve spent the weekend has been inspired by its pages from almost a century ago.

Arthur Ransome’s book has been brought to life in the form of Coot Club, a hushed hideaway in a private nature reserve on the Klein Rivier Lagoon in South Africa’s Western Cape

The book recounts ‘The Coot Club’ as a group of kids who came together to protect local birds and their nests from egg collectors and other disturbances.

As swallows swoop and dive above us, darting along the perimeter of the vast lagoon, Coot Club is a haven for both children and wildlife among the thriving ecosystem of the estuary. So much so that the variety of birdlife found is a rare phenomenon.

Found at the end of a remote, long dirt track two hours from Cape Town, Coot Club invites its guests to drop their bags and slow down to the pulse of mother mature.

Framing incredible views across the water and dramatic Maanschynkop mountains, there are a handful of contemporary boathouses, each with a nautical namesake.

These include Port, Starboard and the newest member Stern, situated quietly at the end which is where we checked into for two blissful days with two friends.

Finished in a nautical Soho House style, the spacious two-bedroom boathouses cates perfectly for groups of friends or families.

Finished in a nautical Soho House style, our spacious two-bedroom boathouse caters perfectly for groups of friends or families. With a large deck with views cast over the reeds, the lagoon and the mountains afar, the boathouse sat peacefully at one with the natural landscape.

At Stern, we spread out across the two private master ensuite bedrooms, adjoined by an open plan kitchen and lounge, complete with a wood-burning fireplace.

In addition to the string of spacious boathouses, there is a three-bedroom house situated close to The Club House plus smaller suites with some including hot tubs and four poster beds.

This intimate collection of accommodation options ensure Coots Club maintains a desired level of serenity allowing guests to explore the reserve at ease, whilst not disturbing the neighbouring wildlife.

Coot Club is one of those special places that has been conceived around the natural and dramatic beauty of its surroundings

At the heart of Coot Club is The Club House. Built in 1892, the historic building was found in a state of disrepair when the land was taken over in 2002.

A landmark that locals would sail across the lagoon to, in recent years the building has been lovingly pieced back together, transforming back to its original English, Georgian grandeur.

Living a new chapter as the hub of Coot Club, it features a bar and variety of colourful and nautical inspired spaces where guests can choose to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Nearby The Club House an hour before sunset the ship’s bell rings, inviting guests to come together and savour beautiful moments. As the evening sun glows a soft golden shade across the landscape, sundowners are set to the backdrop of the magnificent vista of the mountains and sparkling lagoon. This leisurely leads onto al fresco feasts under the branches of the 400-year-old milkwood trees woven with romantic fairy lights.

For our first evening we tucked into a seafood supper of lobster, prawns and mussels before retreating to our boathouse for a restful sleep beside the water. Meanwhile, making the most of our boathouse for our second evening, a braai (South African BBQ) was delivered for us to cook by the lagoon whilst making the most of the facilities in our open plan kitchen within private and peaceful surroundings.

At the heart of Coot Club is The Club House

At Coot Club guests can choose to fill their days as much or little as they wish. From drinking fine local South African wine beside one of the pools, to leisurely walks along the fynbos-covered trails, there is a list of activities to keep the most restless of guest occupied.

Jump on a bike and cycle along the tracks and into the popular local down of Stanford, try bird and local whale watching or make the most of the lagoon. For us this included taking pair of kayaks out across the water. Meanwhile, there are also paddleboards and sailing, plus water sport activities such as wakeboarding and water-skiing.

Coot Club is one of those special places that has been conceived around the natural and dramatic beauty of its surroundings.

Relaxed and unpretentious, the ethos is all about embracing the simple pleasures of life. From BBQs under the stars, al fresco dining beneath the ancient trees to lazy days that stretch into relaxed nights, removed from the modern world.

Factbox

Address: Provincial Road, Wortelgat Rd, Stanford, 7210, South Africa
Phone: +27 66 507 4361
Website: cootclub.com

All imagery credit: Coot Club