Heritage Village

Winter Line-Up

Well, that was an interesting last six month was it not? Thank goodness our tourism leisure travel business sector is starting to open up again both around the country but more specifically around the fabulous venues of Stanford Village and surrounds.

Hands up who is excited to finally be able to travel and book accommodation for leisure again as per latest level 3 intra-provincial travel permissions?

Winter is the ideal time to plan a getaway to Stanford and surrounds as a jewel nestled within the Cape Whale Coast. A mere 1.5h drive from the bustling city centre of Cape Town. Think crisp days spent hiking, strolling, or cycling fynbos flowering mountain ranges, whale watching our ocean swells at local whale watching spots or booking a river activity such as paddling or riverside picnicking. Our local restaurants will fill your tummies and are stocked up on non-alcoholic drinks since on-consumption sale of alcohol is still not permitted. Of course there is always the option of just curling up in some cosy local accommodation nook with a good book and an evening beside a warm fire. Only thing missing might be a glass or two from one of our local estates along the Stanford Wine Route.

If your cellar is in need of stocking up after several months of lockdown however, then the we’re happy to inform you that our wine route is open for orders and tasting. Wine Route details here. Snap up the chance to take advantage of some current local special offers and exclusive releases available for order right now.

The Stanford Wine Route Includes

Boschrivier Wines – R326: Contact drnjtdevilliers@mweb.co.za or visit www.boschrivierwines.co.za/
Misty Mountain Wine Estate – R43: Contact info@mistymountains.co.za or visit https://www.mistymountains.co.za/
Raka Wine Estate – R326: Contact info@rakawine.co.z or visit www.rakashop.co.za
Sir Robert Stanford Estate – R43/Old Akkedisberg Road: Contact info@robertstanford.co.za or visit www.robertstanfordestate.co.za/
Springfontein Wine Estate – Wortelgat Road: Contact info@springfontein.co.za or visit https://www.springfontein.co.za
Stanford Hills – Old Akkedisberg Road: Contact cellar@stanfordhills.co.za or 072 603 3521 or www.stanfordhills.co.za/
Vaalvlei Wines – Papiesvlei Road: Contact info@vaalvlei.co.za or visit www.vaalvlei.co.za/
Walker Bay Estate and Birkenhead Brewery – R326: Contact admin@birkenhead.co.za or 028 341 0183 or visit www.walkerbayestate.com or www.walkerbayestate.com/birkenheadbrewery
Welgesind Wine Estate – Old Akkedisberg Road: Contact Chris 082 572 5856 or Amanda @ 082 536 0062

There is so much to enjoy, both indoors and outdoors, at this time of year, that it may be worth putting aside the entire weekend … or perhaps even an additional day either side to make the most of the visit and fit in as much as possible.

Any assistance with what’s open and where to stay, our Stanford Tourism Office is always available to assist.

Stanford: What’s in a name?

In Stanford we just love uncovering history – whether it’s a building’s architectural past, or something about its tenants, function or its geographical positioning. It comes with being a heritage village – we have a natural curiosity for ‘what was’, a curiosity we so enjoy sharing with visitors and friends of our little part of the Overberg. Let’s take a look at the origins of some of the names of establishments, wineries and natural gems in and around Stanford.


Did you know, Springfontein Wine Estate is named for a natural spring found on the property (responsible for keeping the 25 hectares of vineyards irrigated). Follow them on Instagram here.

Just down the road from Springfontein at Mosaic Private Sanctuary, the 1892 Spookhuis is named for well, yes, being haunted (Spook is the Afrikaans for ghost). Follow them on Instagram here.


Blue Gum Country Estate owes its namesake to a 150-year old Blue Gum on the property. The estates farm roots date back to 1839. Follow them on Instagram here.

Platbos Forest . This ancient forest is named after the Afrikaans word for ‘flat forest or bush’ – when looking down on the property from an elevated road, the forest resembles a “flat green swath of fynbos”. Follow them on Instagram here.

Bodhi Khaya Retreat. A combination of the words enlightenment (or perhaps ‘awakening’ translates closer to the original meaning) coupled with the Zulu word for “home”. Follow them on Instagram here.

White Water Farm. If you think this name dates back to cascading waterfalls, think again. The farm’s chapel is “converted from the old distillery barn, where Witblits (a local liquor like Grappa) used to be made, hence the historic farm’s name – Witwater or White Water.” Follow them on Instagram here.

Bugler’s cottage in the heritage part of the village was one of the original labourer cottages on Sir Robert Stanford’s Farm. Dating back to the early 1860s, it “is the only cottage in Stanford that is still true to its original form, except for internal changes and the addition of a bathroom at the back.”

If you’re looking to supersize your historical knowledge on Stanford, pop into the Tourism Office for a copy of Historical Stanford on Foot (for just R10), then head on to one of our local wine farms and grab a few bottles of their finest, and you’re on your way to being the most interesting person at your next dinner party!

 

 

Memories of the year gone by

Wow what a year in our little village, the holidays are upon us and there is still so much to see and do in Stanford before the clock strikes midnight and we bid farewell to 2018. For a fun little recap of Stanford life, we thought we’d bring you some Instagram Memories. Capture your own these holidays and remember to tag @visitstanford and #visitstanford #nowherebetterthanstanford so that we can share your experiences with other travellers looking for a country escape. Here’s to even more fantatsic memories in 2019, cheers!

– We celebrated the return of warmer weather with White Water Farm and Don Gelato.

 

– We shared moments of Stanford’s History (we like to think it boosted our IQ a little) with gorgeous images from Annalize Mouton Photography and Mosaic Private Sanctuary.

– Bikers galore showed that they have heart power along with horse power for the annual Overberg Toy Run

– The fit and fearless swam, cycled and ran in this year’s Race2Stanford

– We daydreamed about foodie things a lot (pictured here: Misty Mountain Estate, Zesty Lemon and Ou Meul Bakkery)

– Our members shone in Print (featured: HaesFarm, Springfontein Eats, Stanford Valley Guest Farm, Walker Bay Estate)

– We drank tea and wine and had another great year in Stanford ! (Lion Tea Party hosted by Stanford Tourism in support of Panthera Africa; Springfontein Wine joining the other members of the Stanford Wine Route at the Stanford Sunset Market)

Keeping up with the Stanfordians

Have you noticed how it never rains, and then it pours? The beautiful drenched Market Square in Stanford is testament to how much it has been raining in Stanford, and the puddles and deep cool tussocks of grass fill us with childish glee. The wild sprouting mushrooms push their way towards the sunlight 3 days after the rains so keep your eyes peeled for those illusive mushroom foragers who are trying not to make eye contact and give away their hunting ground secrets.

And another thing that fills us with glee is the up-and-coming weekend which is about to sweep us off our feet. Are you ready for it? This is how we plan to fit it all in and you are invited to catch us if you can…

WEDNESDAY

Aerobics Revival in Stanford. See you there in lycra as the village meets in the Community Hall from 18:00 – 19:00. R10 per person is practically still 80s rates!

THURSDAY

Stanford Full Moon Tree Walk

Join our monthly Wandelpad Stroll and learn how to join the heritage Committee’s Significant Tree Survey. Afterwards…sherry!

FRIDAY

Take a deep breath, light a fire and drink some local wine. We are going to need our energy for tomorrow…

SATURDAY

First thing’s first, don a hat for Haturday and post a selfie using the hashtags #Haturday #Visitstanford to stand a chance to win a prize.

Then it is time to browse through the treasures on display at the Stanford Junktique Market in the Tourism Courtyard, 09:00 – 12:00. Breeze a little further down Queen Victoria Street to fill your basket with weekend foodie treats at the Saturday Morning Market on the stoep of the Stanford Hotel, also 09:00 – 12:00.

 

There is also time to take a slow drive on the Papiesvlei Road to the Open Day at Eikenhof Orchid Nursery. It will take you just over 10 minutes to drive there, but it will be oh-so-worthwhile to see the orchids and cymbidiums in full bloom, and for sale at special prices.

And then, pack a jersey for Hops at the Hills, a celebration of local craft beers at Stanford Wine Estate. This afternoon event is full of live music, fun for the kids, good food and beer, and usually sees people dancing under a rainbow, alongside a roaring bonfire. Make no mistake, Hops at the Hills is full-on fun.

SUNDAY

This day is for winding down. Make it about good food at one of Stanford’s restaurants, or good clean air as you walk off the ultimate weekend on one of the walking trails inside, or outside the village. Do the self-guided heritage walk around the town with a map available from the Tourism Office, and drop in at the shops open along the main street.

Phew, what a great week!

*Make sure you read our weekly ‘What’s on’ every Thursday for all events in and around Stanford. Ask to join our mailing list by emailing ask@stanfordinfo.co.za

Words: Phil Murray