It is no small miracle that Glen Dirk, an historic Constantia estate, still exists in an area of the Western Cape that has developed and expanded beyond recognition over 350 years. Right from when the land was marked out for farming and settlement in the 1600s, civilisation has gradually encroached on much of the surrounding farm lands with the exception of this magical tract of land on the boundary of Wynberg Hill and the current Alphen Estate. Today, through an avenue of giant camphor trees, silverleaf and oak, the Sir Herbert Baker designed manor house is gradually revealed to a modern day traveller. A tantalising glimpse of white walls and gables gives way to the homestead in the shelter of the Constantia hills and that overlooks fertile vineyards, forests and the sea beyond.
