Spending a day at Babylonstoren always feels like stepping into a world where time slows down and nature takes centre stage. Over the years, I’ve wandered these gardens many times — each visit leaving me with a renewed sense of wonder. Whether you come for the gardens, the food, the workshops, or simply a moment of quiet beauty, the farm has an extraordinary way of offering something meaningful to everyone.
Recently, I joined a small group of fellow journalists and tastemakers for a very special experience: an intimate introduction to Babylonstoren’s newest creation, the Byzantium. Originally exhibited by The Newt at the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, the installation has been reimagined and lovingly given a permanent home here on the farm. It’s an immersive, interactive celebration of bees — their intelligence, their community, and their profound role in our environment.
Our morning began the way all good mornings should: with a “buffauccino” — a cappuccino made with buffalo milk. Delightfully creamy and naturally lactose-free, it was surprisingly indulgent. Cup in hand, we set off on a guided walk through select parts of the garden with Babylonstoren’s resident beekeeper and entomologist, Arné Stander, whose passion for bees is nothing short of infectious.
Had to take a picture of this beautiful artichoke flower!
As we meandered along the pathways, Arné shared insights about the bee species that call Babylonstoren home. I loved learning about the solitary Carpenter Bee, a powerful (and slightly misunderstood) pollinator that frequents the lavender patch outside the Babel restaurant. And here’s something I didn’t know: the Cape Honeybee, unlike its northern-hemisphere cousins, will happily head out of the hive on warm winter days.
To maintain their preferred body temperature — a minimum of 27°C — some bees seek out sheltered nesting spots in rock crevices or beneath boulders. This explains the charming insect hotels dotted thoughtfully around the property.
One of my favourite stops along the way was the Clivia House, with its breathtaking view and its meticulously curated collection of clivias. The structure’s clever design allows air to circulate while creating the soft, dappled light these magnificent plants thrive in. Nearby, the Rock Garden pays tribute to the stones and minerals that form the foundation of agriculture and landscape — we passed it briefly, but not without a quick photo (or three).
Eventually, we approached the centerpiece of our visit: the Byzantium. Described beautifully as a “temple to bees,” it invites visitors to quite literally step inside the hive mind. The museum-style structure houses working observation hives, thoughtfully designed displays, and a garden path inspired by the life cycle and rhythm of bees.
What struck me most was the contrast it draws between our often individualistic human world and the bees’ completely interdependent one.
Within a hive, each bee has a role — collector, nurse, engineer, cleaner, undertaker, even royalty — and together they function as a single superorganism.
Through gleaming golden honeycomb installations, drawers, peepholes, animations and beautifully designed infographics, you gain a mesmerising glimpse into their world.
It’s both humbling and awe-inspiring to witness how these tiny creatures sustain the landscapes we love.
At the Byzantium, visitors can dive deeper into the “secret lives of bees,” join hands-on workshops, and see how Cape honeybees produce the honey used across Babylonstoren’s restaurants. As Arné reminded us, “Each bee knows its role – together, they create something extraordinary.”
After our tour, we gathered for a countryside-chic lunch prepared by chef Martjie Malan, who also treated us to a short baking workshop centred around honey. The menu was fresh, colourful and beautifully simple: steamed broccoli on homemade mayonnaise; rocket and beetroot salad with slices of peach and torn buffalo mozzarella; and tender chicken pieces glazed in a mustard-and-honey dressing.
Dessert, however, stole the show. Martjie’s Brown Butter & Honey Cakes might be among the most delicious little cakes I’ve ever tasted — golden, fragrant, tender, and utterly moreish. I simply can’t keep something this good to myself, so I’m sharing the recipe below. You can thank me later.
Brown Butter & Honey Cake – Makes 12 mini cakes
Ingredients:
250g butter
270g honey + 2 Tbsp extra
125 ml milk
2 eggs
Vanilla seed of one pod
300g cake flour
4 tsp baking powder
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp salt
110g castor sugar
Few springs lemon thyme
Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius
Method:
Brown 100g butter until golden brown in a small saucepan over medium heat. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add the honey (keeping 1 Tbsp for later), milk, eggas and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
Add the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt and castor sugar and mix well. Divide between baking tins and bake for 18-20 min, until baked through.
Brown the remaining butter, add the lemon thyme and 2 Tbsp honey, cook through and drizzle over the baked cakes while still warm.
Shop Babylonstoren’s range of delish honey products HERE
As always, a day spent wandering the gardens, learning something new, and experiencing the care and creativity poured into Babylonstoren is a day well spent.
If you’re curious about bees, or simply in need of beauty and inspiration, the Byzantium is well worth a visit. It’s a reminder of the extraordinary worlds that exist all around us — especially the tiny ones we too easily overlook.
The Byzantium at Babylonstoren is open daily from 09h00–16h00 and is located behind the Moestuin at Babylonstoren Garden.
Entry is included in the annual Babylonstoren Garden Membership, available from the Babylonstoren Ticket Office.
Beekeeping workshops by reservation only. For bookings and enquiries, contact enquiries@babylonstoren.com or visit www.babylonstoren.com.
