Somerset East is in Karoo Heartland.
Understand
Established in 1825 by Lord Charles Somerset and found at the base of the Boschberg Mountain, Somerset East is home to many beautiful heritage sites and buildings of historical importance. It is also known to produce some of the finest roses in the country, while the Walter Battiss Art Gallery, in the hometown of this grand old man of South African art, has the largest collection of his work in Africa on display.
Get in
Get around
See
- 1 Slachter's Nek Exhibition, ☏ +27 42 243 2079, ✉ bluecranetourism@gmail.com. Gallows exhibition that is staged around the actual beam from which the five rebels were hung in 1816. Be sure to look out for the timeline of events that happened in the rest of the world during the same period.
- 2 Walter Battiss Art Museum (Walter Battiss Art Gallery), Cnr Beaufort Street & Paulet Street, ☏ +27 42 243-1448, ✉ walterbattissfoundation@gmail.com. The Walter Battiss Art Gallery boasts one of South Africa’s most celebrated artists, who left some of his major works to the people of Somerset East. The gallery is in a historical building - dating back to before 1825.
Do
- Lavelilanga Women's Craft, ☏ +27 71 967 5396, ✉ ccreid76@gmail.com. A cooperative where you can learn to create decorative paper mache household items (updated May 2020)
Birdwatching
- Glen Avon Farm, ☏ +27 42 243 3628, ✉ brown@glenavonfarm.co.za. (updated May 2020)
- Blue Crane Route, ☏ +27 42 243 1448, ✉ bluecranetourism@telkomsa.net. 350 bird species converged at one of South Africa's most diverse hiomes. (updated May 2020)
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Archer Accomodation, 3 Archer St, ☏ +27 42 243 2794, +27 82 855 4182, ✉ elsamarie@telkomsa.net. Has both B&B and self-catering options. The staff are fluent in English and Afrikaans. (updated Dec 2020)
- 2 Somerset Hotel, 83 Nojoli St, ☏ +27 42 243 0557, ✉ somerseteasthotel@gmail.com. For backpackers and budget travellers. Rooms have WiFi. (updated Dec 2020)
- 3 Herberg Manor, 53 Louis Trichardt St, ☏ +27 66 265 1116, ✉ info@herbergmanor.co.za. The most luxurious accommodation in Somerset East. It was manor house that has been beautifully restored. (updated Dec 2020)
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