Smuts House Museum
Doornkloof (Big House), Irene
The corrugated-iron farmhouse of South African Prime Minister Jan Smuts. The surrounding lawns and weekend markets are popular day-trip spots for locals.
Smuts House sits on the Doornkloof farm in Irene. It was the home of Field Marshal Jan Smuts, who twice served as South Africa's prime minister and helped draft the Charter of the United Nations. The modest corrugated-iron house keeps its study and bedrooms as they were, and displays information on his life. The lawns around the house often host weekend craft markets, and the nearby Irene Dairy Farm is also a favourite with families. It is about 20 km from the city centre, and admission is very cheap.
Opening hours
Mon–Fri 09:30–16:00; weekends 09:30–16:30
Nearby sights
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve
- Groenkloof Nature Reserve
- Fort Klapperkop
- Voortrekker Monument
- Freedom Park
- Melrose House
- Pretoria Art Museum
- Ditsong National Museum of Natural History