Beautiful Forest Hall. You can’t help but marvel at this utterly captivating character home in Walmer when first you set foot on its park-like grounds.
Both treasured family home to the Boltons and well-established, award-winning guesthouse, it’s the kind of place reminiscent of lazy trips to the countryside and yet you are still very much in a bustling city, just five minutes away from shops, restaurants and the Port Elizabeth airport.
Your first impulse is likely to be child-like exploration, The Secret Garden style. And you will be richly rewarded for there is no shortage of enchanting little corners to retreat to in the lovingly tended gardens.
Owners James and Hilary Bolton have lived at Forest Hall for 30 years, juggling diverse careers and raising three children who are all now beginning to build their own lives away from home. And yet Forest Hall remains the centre of their world and probably always will.
Articled clerk Katy, their eldest, was home for a quick stop on her way to a new job in Cape Town at the time of our media visit; Victoria, the youngest, is studying medicine in the Cape and David works in cyber security in Johannesburg.
Katy describes growing up at Forest Hall as “the most incredible privilege”; it is clear James and Hilary also take their role as custodians of this unique heritage home very seriously.
The guesthouse opposite the Little Walmer Golf Estate is entirely James’s baby and it was his dream to start the venture after retiring from dentistry in 2004, Hilary says.
Her abiding passion is the non-profit organisation Cheshire Homes, to which she has devoted herself for more than 30 years, including as manager of the home in Cleary Estate.
“James is responsible for all aspects of the guesthouse, and he does it with so much commitment, care and attention to detail. My part is simply to help him prepare breakfast in the mornings,” she chuckles.
“When last did you have crumpets for breakfast?” Salvelio asks as we dive into the buttery pile like greedy little crumpet-monsters. We’re not just talking just any old breakfast either: Expect a splendid English spread served with aplomb in the cheery breakfast room decorated by some of James’s evocative paintings – another of his interests.
You’ll also find his creations in the guesthouse’s public areas and individually decorated rooms – 16 in all. Forest Hall as a guesthouse evolved over time, he says.
Their first room, the Calico Room, was part of the original house and overlooks a lush corner of the garden and a huge pool inspired by the Boltons’ stay at a villa in Tuscany 20 years ago.
Kids usually make a bee-line for the trampoline and there’s a flood-lit tennis court for those who feel more energetic, James says.
Next followed careful restoration of some of Forest Hall’s oldest outbuildings, later joined by several more rooms in a wing faithfully mirroring the authentic, earlier design.
Yet another wing with several rooms and in keeping with the old English theme was built elsewhere on the property, initially as accommodation for James’s mum, who lived there for some years.
James saw potential for expansion when the property next door came on the market in 2016. He personally project-managed its redevelopment and all alternations were based on his vision.
Today it’s as if the second property and the original Forest Hall were always one. This is where we sleep like kings, tucked up in a huge, super-comfy bed with electric blanket and other thoughtful touches. Our spacious room has its own verandah, lounge and kitchen area, and roomy bathroom too. We won’t forget Forest Hall in a hurry – it’s simply the kind of place you long to return to.
Forest Hall guesthouse is at 84 River Road, between 9th and 10th Avenues. Contact 041-581-3356 or email: foresthallbb@telkomsa.net. For rates and online bookings visit www.foresthall.co.za
WIN a weekend getaway at Walmer’s Forest Hall
One lucky Weekend Post reader will win a weekend stay for two at Forest Hall in Port Elizabeth. The prize includes accommodation for two nights (sharing) at the four-star establishment, and breakfast. All other costs will be for the winner’s own account. The winner and his or her partner will also need to make their own way to and from Forest Hall. The prize is not transferrable, or exchangeable for cash, and must be taken up before November 30, subject to prior booking and availability. To enter, SMS the word FORESTHALL to 41893. The competition closes at noon on Monday.The winner will be electronically drawn, and telephonically notified, before the end of the day on Monday.SMSes cost R1.50 each, errors and omissions are billed, and free SMSes do not count. Other Ts and Cs may also apply. Tiso Blackstar employees and their family members are not permitted to enter.