Stanford Snapshot
Lying only 150km from Cape Town, and with street names like Adderley, Shortmarket and Longmarket, Capetonians will feel right at home in Stanford. In fact, most of the village has been snapped up by this acquisitive species over the past few years. Skirted by the Klein River and the ethereal Akkedisberg mountains, the appeal is clear to see and it was just a matter of time before the city asylum seekers sat up and took notice. During the week nothing much has changed: wide potholed dirt roads meander through sleepy neighbourhoods spilling old-time charm, and the commercial centre along Queen Victoria Street is not exactly rush hour. However, come Friday evening, Stanford transforms into a pulsating weekend destination where you're likely to bump into your neighbour at one or other local watering hole.
Things To Do
- The village has some attractive architecture, dating as far back as the late 1700s. The First Farm House (circa 1785), the Anglican (1872) and Dutch Reformed (1926) churches, Stanford House (1903), Market Square and the Old Graveyard, are a few examples. Also appealing, but not open to the public, is Spookhuis, a reputedly haunted stone house on the farm Wortelgat.
- The Klein River is a good spot to canoe (apparently, it’s possible to paddle all the way to Hermanus), swim, watch birds, spot an otter if you are lucky, and picnic under the willows.
- Salmonsdam Nature Reserve (tel 028-425 5020) is 20km from Stanford and a worthwhile day trip for hikes, diverse plant and birdlife, and waterfalls. Alternatively, stick to the mountains around Stanford.
- In the past, eating out in Stanford was nothing that a bag from Woolies couldn’t beat. But this has changed, with a whole bunch of suitable spots in and out of town.
Phillipskop Mountain Reserve
Stanford, Western Cape
Phillipskop covers 250ha of gorgeous fynbos on the slopes of the Klein River Mountains. Access is via a short gravel road, 13 kays from Stanford. With soothing vistas across the Overberg and Akkedisb...
Rate Guide
From R1850 to R3040, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Corgi Park
Stanford, Western Cape
Stylish, spacious and charming, with lawns nibbling the banks of the Klein River, Corgi Park is a three-bedroom home on the outskirts of Stanford village - a kinda getaway the urban monarchs and ...
Rate Guide
R3000 nightly for the house.
Zuurknolsvlei Self-Catering
Stanford, Western Cape
Surrounded by fynbos vegetation on a gorgeous farm, 15km from Stanford, Zuurknolsvlei is an Overberg gem waiting for just the two of you, your family or even a bunch of friends to head on over to and ...
Rate Guide
From R1800 - R2400 nightly for the main house (depending on number of guests). R950 nightly for the semi-detached units. Peak season minimum stays apply.
Rivers End Farm
Stanford, Western Cape
Just 30 minutes from the seaside town of Hermanus, Stanford is a good option for those looking for a laid-back getaway. Rivers End farm has a cabin and 'bus' on offer, plus plenty of campsites, all wi...
Rate Guide
From R250 to R3500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Fairhill Guest House and Nature Reserve
Stanford, Western Cape
Fairhill Guest House and Nature Reserve offers self-catering accommodation and is located in a private nature reserve, 12 km from central Gansbaai and Stanford. The holiday home is ideal for a group o...
Rate Guide
From R6600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland