Oakdene Guest House

This charming Victorian home is situated in the heart of historic Oudsthoorn. Oakdene is sheltered under Oak Trees on the main tourist route. Oakdene is within walking distance from the town centre and well known restaurants to enjoy local wines and ostrich steaks.

In 1847 the small Klein Karoo town known as Veldskoen was renamed Oudtshoorn. Six years later, Oakdene was built on the main road by Mr. J.H. Mulder, who later also built Oudtshoorns magnificent sandstone Moederkerk and the Pastorie. In Oakdene, Mulders style blended typical Cape vernacular with elements of traditional Victorian and Klein Karoo architecture. The original Victorian trelliswork which still stands perfectly intact today, was added around the turn of the Century.

The lei-watersloot running in front of the house is the last remaining section of the original lei which supplied water to the Oudtshoorn of old. In order to preserve the lei, the historic facade and the oak trees in front of Oakdene, the building was declared a National Monument in 1988. Oakdene is one of the oldest and finest examples of architecture from the early days of Oudtshoorn.