Alphen was established in 1714 on eleven acres. Subsequent owners purchased additional land until it stretched over most of the northern section of the Constantia Valley. Anders Sparman, botanist to Captain Cook mentions it in his diary of 1772, “ The premises are very well built, and contiguous to them is a pretty garden, and a considerable vineyard, which increases yearly in size”.
The Cloete family bought the estate in 1850. They made wine and farmed export fruit. The first Cloete, Jacob Cloete(n), a mercenary from Cologne, sailed to South Africa with Jan van Riebeeck. The family prospered and various members, at one time or other, owned many of the important Cape Dutch estates, including Groot Constantia. During the 1960’s Sandy Bairnsfather Cloete, was forced to sell off most of the land because of encroaching urbanization. He converted the Manor House and certain other buildings into a country house hotel. The present owners, Nicky and Dudley Cloete-Hopkins, have reacquired certain adjacent properties, formerly part of the farm, and restored and converted the cellars, stables and coach house into offices. The buildings now stand on 16 acres. Alphen’s great square was declared a National Monument in 1973.
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| The house played an important part in the history of the Cape. Since the earliest days Alphen has attracted interesting and influential people. The famous 18th century Governor, Lord Charles Somerset, Master of the Cape Hunt, used to hold hunt breakfasts at the Alphen; Dr. James Barry, British army doctor, (discovered on her death to be a woman) fought a duel on the southern terrace with Josias Cloete; the British generals discussed plans for the Anglo-Boer war with Henry Cloete (while his wife spied on them for the Boers). Mark Twain dined here and so did George Bernard Shaw. Cecil John Rhodes, Princess Alice of Athlone and Jan Christian Smuts were frequent visitors. Though the nature of the complex has changed the tradition of Cape hospitality remains. |
