Bloomin' beautiful: the art of flower pressing at Soetmelksvlei

Thursday, 29 October, 2026
Babylonstoren
TIME:    08h30-15h00
COST:    R1 600 pp
VENUE:    Soetmelksvlei, Simondium
Franschhoek
MAP

Join us for a hands-on workshop on the age-old craft of flower pressing at Soetmelksvlei on Thursday, 29 October 2026.

Remember plucking dainty blooms in the garden as a child, then carefully placing them between sheets of newspaper and piles of the heftiest books you could find? For centuries, botanists have relied on pressed plants for identification and to fill their herbariums with dried specimens as plant libraries. In Victorian times, children combined pressed picks with bright ribbons to create pretty pictures, while sweethearts would slip flowers between the pages of a book to preserve the memory of a special moment.

Flower pressing is back in a big way, and we love the practice for its calming effect and aesthetic appeal. Join us for a hands-on workshop at Soetmelksvlei and try your hand at this age-old craft. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, artist Tina-Marié Malherbe will guide guests through the garden to pick, press and create their own botanical collection.

After a relaxing morning of flower picking and pressing, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch in the Old Stables Restaurant.

Only 10 places available.

Click HERE to book.