Irene Village is a beautiful and historic little township. Be sure to visit the historical landmark from the Anglo Boer War, the Concentration Camp. There is also a dairy farm within walking distance, complete with its own farm store where you can purchase fresh milk or home-baked bread and cakes. While you’re there why not have lunch under the huge oak trees and enjoy the farm atmosphere? Visiting the calves and watching the cows being milked is a popular activity for families with small children.
If you’re a sport lover you could visit SuperSport Park which is a mere 3 km away, or enjoy a golf game at the Irene Golf Club. Rietvlei Dam offers scenic routes for cyclists, providing a beautiful view of the dam and the adjacent nature reserve, as well as angling facilities for the keen fisherman. If you’re interested in dinghy sailing, be sure to visit the Pretoria Sailing Club at Rietvlei Dam.
The historical Smuts House Museum is a major place of interest for those who love history. A climb up Smuts Koppie is worthwhile, and will give you some good exercise. The Irene Market, which takes place on two Saturdays each month, is a must-see. This popular market is the ideal opportunity to buy original gifts to take back home, or to stock up for Christmas. The market features a variety of food stalls with fresh bread, preserves, cheese and other home-made delights, and arts-and-crafts lovers can spend many happy hours browsing through an array of art, craft, clothing, antiques, curio and jewellery stalls. You don’t have to travel all the way to the Kruger National Park to see our wildlife – the beautiful Rietvlei Nature Reserve is a stone’s throw away from Irene B&B, Groenkloof Nature Reserve is a 10 minute drive away, and the Rhino & Lion Park is less than an hour’s drive. The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site at the Maropeng Visitors Centre is well worth a visit, as well as the Sterkfontein Caves.
If you feel like doing a day trip then Sun City and the Valley of the Waves is within reach, as well as the Pilansberg Nature Reserve, Hartbeespoort, Magaliesberg, Cullinan, and many more.
Interesting local places to visit include the Union Buildings, Freedom Park, the Voortrekker Monument and the Austen Roberts Bird Sanctuary for bird lovers.
