There were secret pathways to the dam, and whimsical corners that felt straight out of Alice in Wonderland. A few oaks from the 1930s stood tall, but it was the enormous cream magnolia, with its blousy blooms, that made me think of romantic old movies. Along the fence, 500 rose bushes were in bloom, and we discovered nut trees and a small orchard near the stables, where our son Arnaud spent many afternoons eating fallen plums. The fig trees near the entrance still make the best jam. But it was the big trees in the front garden that truly stole my heart.

Though the house itself looked a little sad, I envisioned joyful, old-fashioned parties filled with family and friends of all ages. The rest, as they say, is history.

‘...the moment we saw the sprawling garden and fruit trees, I could imagine our children running free, laughing under the sun’

I believe my love of gracious old homes comes from my mother, Hilary Newdigate Peter, who lovingly restored Forest Hall in The Crags, near Plettenberg Bay. Like her, I didn’t just renovate Le Grand Jardin – I revived it, infusing it with soul, feminine vision, and generational wisdom. I still remember my mother refurbishing antiques between teaching art and riding horses.

Though our son was just a few months old, both Bernard and I had grown up with the freedom of wild, open spaces – me in a small village in the Eastern Cape, and Bernard near a nature reserve outside Verbier, Switzerland. We wanted the same for our children.

So, we designed Le Grand Jardin as a place where parents could relax while children played – on the pizza deck, the trampoline, or exploring the pirate walkways among the trees. We love gathering on the stoep for morning coffee, a game of boules, or a glass of our best vintage at sunset. The garden is filled with jasmine and scented blooms that attract birds, frogs and owls, making every moment in nature come alive.

‘I envisioned joyful, old-fashioned parties filled with family and friends of all ages’

Because I love water, we added an eco-pool for wild swimming and the old deep pool was solar-heated to extend our swim season. We also added a Victorian-style glasshouse and a summer pool house, both with fireplaces to warm up chilly evenings.

Built in 1934 by a student of Sir Herbert Baker, the house – with its gabled roofs and original H-shaped structure – was ripe for rediscovery. Working with Gerrit Van Der Wolfe, who drew from the Arts and Crafts movement, we restored it as both a heritage home and a soulful sanctuary.

Bernard, ever the wine explorer, has vineyards in South Africa, Argentina, and Switzerland. In 2016, he acquired Le Grand Domaine, a wine farm right next door. A few years later, we opened Enoteca on Church Street, a laid-back restaurant in the heart of Stellenbosch, to share our love of food and wine. Today, it has been relaunched as Le Grande Domaine Cantina by Chef's Warehouse through our partnership with chef Liam Tomlin. We adore the energy of this vibrant university town.

Today, I run Oxford Team Leadership Coaching in the UK, and I truly believe Le Grand Jardin shaped my path. Its gardens taught me how nature can ground us and how important play is – for children, yes, but for parents, too.

Now, we find ourselves the proud custodians of Wonderland Escapes, a growing portfolio of homes across the world. Each one is a place of wonder – a sanctuary for joy, connection and freedom.

Our four one-of-a-kind retreats include:

• Lince Lodge on the Blenheim Palace Estate in the Cotswolds, near our Oxford home

• Aux Etoiles Derborence, our luxury mountain refuge high above our Vétroz winery in the snow-capped Swiss Alps

• Bungalow 52, our relaxed beach house on Clifton Beach in Cape Town

• And of course, Le Grand Jardin, the original heart of our story

Each home carries the playful spirit of Wonderland Escapes.

We invite you to come and experience our gracious, joy-filled world. Swim wild in the eco-pond, whizz down the foefie slide or zipline, watch an outdoor movie under the stars, ride the vintage 1930s carousel, or let your kids discover the magic of the showman’s caravan.

There are few places like this, where you can simply let go.

Sue Fontannaz
Co-founder, Wonderland Escapes