Oude Molen Eco-Village and Millstone Farmstall and Café

Oude Molen Eco-Village. Photo courtesy Callum MacDonald

The Oude Molen Eco-Village is located on the site known as Valkenberg East, near the Cape Town suburb of Pinelands. It is situated in large, park-like gardens bordered by sensitive wetlands lining the Black River. 

Oude Molen is a working model of a sustainable eco-village in which respect and consideration for people, nature and diversity is encouraged. The long-term goal for the village is to establish an economically sustainable micro-enterprise eco-village that illustrates the synergy between government, community and business. The aim is to enable the three stakeholders to work together to stimulate job creation, youth development, occupational therapy, environmental education, arts and cultural interaction and micro-enterprise development, and to demonstrate eco-friendly energy and technology. 

The 70 tenants in the village – artists, woodworkers, music studios, photographers, trainers and a frail-care centre – collectively provide employment for about 300 people. Horse riding and nature walks can be arranged for visitors.

Try the Millstone Farmstall and Café for tasty food, good coffee, freshly squeezed juices and homegrown organic produce, as well as daily wood-fired breads. The farm café has a lovely garden with a tree house and play area for children. It also hosts birthday parties, functions and corporate events and offers holiday programmes for children.

The café can be contacted on +27 (0)21 447 8226. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 09h00 to 17h00.