An Afternoon at Beechwood Gardens
Hidden away in Joburg’s Hyde Park neighborhood, Beechwood Gardens is an escape into a beautifully manicured garden that goes back to 1945. The gardens were laid out by South African landscape architect Joane Pym and continue to be cared for by Christopher and Susan Greig.
The Basics
According to the website, you should contact James at 084 338 4712 or events@beechwoodgardens.co.za to visit the gardens. We read this but decided not to contact and just showed up at the gate. Perhaps some good luck was involved in our visit as the gate was open. However, there was also a private event ongoing that the gardens were open for so that could have been the reason. To be sure of your own visit, I would get in touch via phone to confirm the gardens are open the day you plan to visit.
Google maps and your Car GPS will fail you if you follow them blindly. There are several boom gates and some inaccessible gates that make getting to the gardens a little tricky. Put in the address for Hurlingham Rd and then keep going to the end of the road. Turn right on Christopherson St and the gate for Beechwood will be on your left.
Entrance is R100 per person.
What can you do at Beechwood Gardens?
You could spend 30 minutes at the gardens or 3 hours. It just depends on what your plan is for the day. However, with a R100 entrance fee, you may want to spend an hour or so at least.
Walk around Beechwood Gardens
There are 3.5 acres of gardens at Beechwood. I went around twice because there are so many beautiful flowers to see.
Step into the house as well. The house was designed by Steffan Ahrends in a romantic Flemish country style. Ahrends also designed the Social Sciences Building, East Campus at the University of the Witwatersrand in the 1960s.
Bring a picnic
It’s a lovely spot to bring a picnic blanket and your book to spend a couple of hours lounging. There are several nice chairs and benches throughout the property that you can use as well.
Host your next event
Beechwood is also a private event space. You can host a party, event, or wedding here. We saw a birthday party when we visited.
Beechwood Garden Spaces
There are several distinguishable garden spaces at Beechwood.
Don’t miss the humongous Water Oak tree that, according to the Beechwood website, is believed to be the largest tree in Johannesburg. It’s near the main house entrance.
I loved the formal rose garden with a fountain spewing water. The entrance is especially magical.
You’ll also see the vegetable garden after walking past the dog statue entrance.
I loved this spot with the deer on top of the gate in the vegetable garden area. Don’t miss it!
There is also an interesting section of the gardens that has a half-built house. It looks like it would be super cool for pictures.
Plus, there are several little ponds and unique spots throughout the garden.
What I loved about Beechwood Gardens
Although the entry is a little pricey, I loved the feeling of walking around in an (almost) secluded garden with no concern.
If you feel like having a “me” day, then Beechwood is also perfect as a solo activity. You can bring your tripod and take as many pictures as you want of yourself.
It seems like a great spot to bring a bunch of friends and do a picnic and fun photo day or have a romantic picnic with your loved one.