Victoria House in the Eastern Free State, near the Lesotho border.

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Victoria House is a truly historic building, being one of the oldest houses still extant in Ficksburg. It was built in 1907 as a “townhouse” for the pioneering family who established the farm Prynnsburg, which is situated between Ficksburg and Clocolan.
In those early years, when a trip to town was a long journey, mainly by horse and carriage or cart, many farmers built second homes in the nearest town where they could stay overnight to attend church or do their shopping.
The original house was ringed by a stone wall built by women in the town to protect them from marauding Basotho raiders, who regularly crossed over the Caledon River from what was then Basutoland (now Lesotho) to attack the town, especially when the men were away.
Unfortunately, only one section of this wall remains.
There is a massive pine tree in the front garden — now well over 100 years old — which was brought back from a prisoner-of-war camp in Ceylon after the Anglo-Boer War and planted in the grounds.
After our family acquired the house in 1984, it remained our private home until, in 2020, we elected to renovate it and turn it into a guesthouse and event venue.
We decided that, true to its history and ethos, it should be called Victoria House.
The house boasts a number of reception rooms, all graced by the elegant bay windows so typical of that period. These are still adorned with the original shutters fitted during the early part of the 20th century.
One of these reception rooms still retains its original blue wallpaper.
We have enclosed the original verandah, where we have removed the existing floor and replaced it with tiles.
Victoria House offers nine beautiful rooms, most with bay windows, and each has a bathroom en suite. There is also an exquisite honeymoon and grooms suite.
My mother, Octavia, is an avid gardener who has left her mark on the magnificent gardens, restoring what she could to its former glory and creating new and exciting areas as well.
In so doing, she has landscaped the space, raised the flowerbeds and encircled them with low sandstone walls to emulate a Victorian garden. Her green fingers and imagination have created a truly tranquil space that seems far away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
There is a beautiful pool area and we also offer other charming facilities for weddings — a garden area complete with a chapel and a Victorian verandah, or a Moroccan-themed space.
And remember — Victoria House is animal-friendly!
We pride ourselves on being able to offer a wonderful spread of different delicious foods to make your event truly unforgettable.
Victoria House is run by Gavin Boy and Calen Thomas.
All rooms at the guesthouse are fully serviced and equipped with mini-fridges, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan to ensure your stay is comfortable. There is also ample secure parking.
Victoria House is situated in Ficksburg, where there is easy access to the border with Lesotho.
We hope to see you soon!