Moreson Guesthouse

Moreson @ Van Zijl Guesthouses & Restaurant

Moreson is a charming historic house which is suited for 4 people. The house has 2 bedrooms, each with 2 single beds. There is a comfortable lounge, as well as a spacious and fully equipped kitchen. Braai facilities are provided. Safe, off-street parking is also available.

It is important that you view the photo album below which will answer many of the questions you might have.

Môreson is the last thatched “Pioniershuis” (Pioneer’s home) in Nieuwoudtville. Originally the roofs of all the houses were thatched. After the Anglo-Boer War in 1902, Oregon timber was imported from America and zinc (galvanised iron) from America and Britain. This resulted in the thatched roofs being tossed off, the “brand solders” (fire-ceilings – a fire-prevention building technique) built of reed and clay replaced with oregon beams and planking, and zinc roofs fitted. Wherever an old house with a pitched roof has a flat-roofed section, we know that this section was added after 1902.

Môreson was built on a rocky outcrop and the walls were built of sandstone and clay. In the “Voorkamer” (lounge) of the house, a section of the original “brandsolder” can be seen. The clay on top of the reeds acted as a shield to protect the house in the event of the roof catching fire.

Hendrik commenced the restoration of Môreson in 1998. The house was white washed both inside and out and all the doors and windows were stripped, which meant the removal of layers of oil paint that had been applied over decades.

After Easter of 2001 more than 100 truckloads of soil and rubble were dumped in front of the house in order to create a succulent garden, which has been established using three major indigenous plant families – Mesems, Aloes and Euphorbias. The tall aloes are the well-known “Kokerbome” (Quiver trees) of which the largest concentration in Southern Africa occurs only 25km from the town of Nieuwoudtville.

Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.