Parkes Manor 1 Azalea Street | Knysna 6571 | South Africa | +27 (0) 44 382 0233

Parkes Manor

Our History

Parkes Manor was built in 1927 by the George Parkes who was one of the founders of Knysna’s timber industry. Today the manor is one of the oldest residential buildings in town.

The Parkes Family resided in this manor house for three generations, raising their children and enjoying the peace and tranquillity that this place had to offer.

George and Fanny Parkes arrived in this small Wood Mecca in 1891. Also from a timber and steelworks background, George Parkes stumbled upon Knysna quite unintentionally and was so impressed with what he saw that the Parkes family never left. In fact, they opened up a sawmill and became the first people to export manufactured wooden items from Knysna. The Geo Parkes & Sons Log Yard remained operational in the town’s centre, where Woodmill Lane now stands, until as recently as 1984. It was then moved to the industrial area, where it remains to this day.

The family initially stayed on a farm outside of Knysna called Hoogekraal until 1927, they then decided to build the Parkes Manor, which was completed in 1929. Although George Parkes first bought the land and started building the home, he was never privileged enough to live in it.

The manor house was owned by the Parkes Family until it was sold in 1997 where after it was converted into a guest house. Under new ownership since 2013 it has been carefully restored to detail. It is now a timeless classic reviving the charme and elegance of a long gone era but with all the mods and cons of our time.

Book your stay now!

CelticChick52
CelticChick52
2024-05-07
Exceptional Experience Fantastic! Everything was exceptional - arrival drinks, friendly staff, inviting fireplace, truly wonderful breakfasts, gorgeous room with a huge balcony and views over the water! We even received a free upgrade to the view room. It is the BEST BnB we have ever stayed in and I'd highly recommend it. The grounds are beautiful and well cared for, it's an easy walk to the waterfront shops and restaurants. BOOK IT NOW! You will be thrilled.
Haan A
Haan A
2024-02-14
A beautiful 1927 Manor House with amazing breakfast This is a beautiful place, very clean, extremely friendly and helpful staff and an amazing breakfast with great views. The rooms were spacious and very clean, great bathrooms. We totally recommend this place and would also come back for sure. Great value for your money. Particularly impressive was the breakfast service. It was quick, super friendly, you never need to ask for anything. Lulu made sure you were happy at all times and used dished were taken away immediately (unlike in some other places where used dishes linger forever on the table and you have not space left. One tip for people who are noise-sensitive like myself: Even though the rooms to the front have the view to the ocean, they are smaller and much more noisy due to the fact that the N2 runs along the property. We had a more spacious room to the back after I asked for it (and which wasn't a problem) and still had great views to the garden. And it was quiet!
Michelle J
Michelle J
2024-02-12
Very customer-friendly staff What a beautiful hotel with beautiful rooms. When you arrive you immediately get an idea of the high service. Very friendly hosts. They offer you advice on everything there is to do in the area. The rooms were spacious, neat and clean. We had a very pleasant stay here.
Ester
Ester
2024-02-03
Wonderful stay in Knysna! Awesome! Very friendly welcome in a beautiful and attractive old house. Beautiful large bedrooms with beautiful bathroom. Delicious breakfast! Hosts and staff are all very friendly and helpful. Highly recommended!
Silke Z
Silke Z
2023-12-06
Nice stay in the cozy manor house This was our second time at Parkes Manor and we really enjoyed it there again. The welcome with a welcome drink was warm. This time we stayed on the upper floor with a view of the lagoon. Everything was lovingly decorated with flowers, even the cups at breakfast. The fire in the fireplace created a cozy atmosphere. In the lounge there was a freshly baked cake for self-service, which tasted very delicious, as did the dinner that we had pre-ordered for the next evening. Everyone at Parkes Manor was extremely nice and helpful. We were delighted to see the many birds in the garden.
K h
K h
2023-09-28
Very friendly home away from home. A wonderful hotel, just enjoy it Parkes Manor hotel. We booked a stay at the Parkes Manor hotel for 3 nights and had a wonderful time. From the moment of arrival, we received a wonderful welcome with a welcome drink and refreshing towels until our departure. Parkes Manor is a beautiful colonial style house, lovingly decorated and maintained by Jan Hendrik and Albert and their team. And they will also take wonderful care of you. We had a beautiful room with fresh flowers everywhere and a beautiful bathroom. When you enter, the fireplace is lit and candles are burning, which gives a very welcome feeling. Breakfast consists of a buffet with delicious fresh meats, cheese, fruit, sweets and delicious bread, as well as a choice of hot breakfast dishes that are prepared a la minute. In the afternoons there is freshly baked cake or something else delicious baked in the reception room almost every day by the always friendly Jocelyn. And in the evening you can have a delicious dinner in this beautiful building and there are candles burning everywhere. You have a beautiful view over the garden, which also includes a beautiful swimming pool with a number of sun beds. When you drive into the driveway after opening the gate, you immediately feel like you're in a different time. It is within walking distance of Knysna center and Waterfront. It is a wonderful stay
ShelleyBeetz
ShelleyBeetz
2023-09-25
Lovely Historical Home with Ever Attentive Team We booked accommodation at Parkes Manor for the weekend of the Knysna Forest Marathon and found that it really surpassed our expectations. The rooms are large and comfortable with beautiful views, and the attentive staff make you feel right at home. The weekend we were there was chilly, but there was a roaring fire downstairs and delicious cake to help yourself to and such was the atmosphere that you were comfortable converging and chatting with the other guests as we all came and went. . . . Dinner is by prior arrangement and so we ate out at one of the most recommended local eateries our first evening and stayed in the next. The verdict: We wished we had stayed in for both! As a family who love heritage homes and appreciate the personal touches - we really enjoyed our short stay!
Mark Vassallo
Mark Vassallo
2023-09-22
Nice place to stay in Knysna. Beautiful place and location. Room had a nice view, breakfast was very good and service is excellent. Staff very friendly. Few meters away from the Waterfront. However, to go to the centre in the evening you need a car or taxi. Taxi are cheap and safe.
Texmexlux
Texmexlux
2023-09-03
Great country mansion style, and probably the best breakfast buffet in Knysna and the surrounding area. Nice service Great country house in Mansuin style, and probably the best breakfast buffet in Knysna and the surrounding area. Nice service and good location, almost within walking distance to the waterfront (20 minutes). Got good restaurant recommendations, and a very well-stocked bar.
MYDEC
MYDEC
2023-08-09
Beautiful place to stay! Great hospitality What a Great place to stay! Parkes manor’s staff really understand the concept of hospitality!! Beautiful scenic manor, great rooms, very nice garden. You see A very strong eye for detail. Very well situated for exploring the knysna area. Jan hendrik’s suggestions for trips are also very good.
Konstantinos
Konstantinos
2024-07-01
7.0
Good
Andrea
Andrea
2024-06-30
10
Un angolo di paradiso ☺Accoglienza TOP, colazione e struttura veramente incantevole ☹Nulla
Gerri
Gerri
2024-05-26
10
Truly fabulous inn with fantastic food ☺ This inn is perfection! The facilities are lovely, the proprietors were friendly and helpful - they even upgraded us to lovely room with a view of the water! The breakfast was exceptional with a large variety of items, including a menu with hot cooked items. The bed was comfy, the bathroom was beautiful with nice products. We received a welcome drink upon arrival. There is a cozy sitting room with a fireplace for relaxing after a full day of fun. The wharf area with shops and restaurants is about a 5 minute walk. Book this accommodation, you will not be disappointed! ☹ Nothing
Josee
Josee
2024-05-25
10
Prachtig!!! ☺Zo veel luxe, fantastisch! Heerlijk bed, geweldige badkamer, warm welkom, heerlijk ontbijt. Kortom alles wat je maar wensen kan.
Judith
Judith
2024-05-17
9.0
Wonderful
Nissia
Nissia
2024-05-14
10
une super expérience client ☺Notre séjour dans cet établissement a été exceptionnelle. Le personnel était aux petits soins, nous y avons eu la chance d'avoir deux diners délicieux. Cette guest house est inattendue et nous la recommandons bien volontiers pour un séjour à Knysna merci à toute l'équipe cela a marqué notre séjour de manière ultra positive. Bravo pour l'expérience client <3
Rene
Rene
2024-05-11
9.0
Prachtige lokatie en was erg gezellig! ☺Prachtig stijlvol huis, zeer vriendelijke en gezellige bediening. ☹Net ietsjes te ver van centrum om te lopen. Maar zeker niet overkomelijk.
Sterk
Sterk
2024-05-04
10
We stayed only for one night but it was a great stay, even dinner was taken care of by Albert. You are a great host!
Alexandra
Alexandra
2024-05-01
10
Exceptional
Janis
Janis
2024-04-06
10
Beautiful manor ☺ What a wonderful manor. Everything is just beautiful, the huge garden with the pool and spring. A delicious breakfast with a nice view and spacious rooms with highly tasteful furniture. All in all, a perfect stay.
Open chat
Welcome to our site! If you have any questions, just reply to this message.