Bedford Village is situated between Grahamstown and Cradock in the pristine, malaria- free Eastern Cape and is only 160km from the coast. It has beautiful tree-lined streets with abundant water from the majestic mountain and is a gardener’s paradise. Once a year, in October, they open their gardens to the public during the Garden Festival.

The Kaga Mountain surrounds the village and creates a microclimate that is responsible for the incredible rainforest on its slopes and the highly sought after grassveld on the surrounding farms.

The village was initially a stop over support center for migrating farmers and developed as a supply center.

The area is still a strong farming area, rich in minerals and known as the golden mile for cattle farming due to the high nutritional content of the grasses and trees.

AMENITIES:

There are two supermarkets in the town. One is a bakery as well and bakes daily. Everything you need is available. The butchery has excellent local meat for sale and will cater for special functions.

There is meat available at one of the supermarkets from a separate supplier in Adelaide. There are two hardware stores including a framing shop and a farmers/ gardener’s supply store. We have a few gift and craft stores with one official coffee shop.

Lavender Haven offers a wide range of Fine Gifts and Deli items for sale.

Two new restaurants catering to the discerning diner are in the development stage and will be open to the public in the very near future (Watch this space for details!)

Bedford Art and Craft Gallery is at the center of the village with it’s majestic white building and David’s work is well worth a look at. He also promotes local artists. We have numerous other artists and crafters in the district and village, some of whom have started various enrichment projects in the community. We look forward to seeing the fruits.

There is a garage for the servicing of all vehicles and a talented local mechanic will fix all. One can have anything made from metal and welding processes in the area. There is also an enterprising farmer who has a furniture factory close to town and makes washed pine furniture, lamps and picture frames to order.

There has long been a furniture factory in Bedford, which makes indigenous wood furniture for export. It is well worth a visit as the craftsmanship is of excellent quality. There are a few carpenters in the village to help with any woodwork as well as building and plumbing requirements.

Our local chemist has a charm all of it’s own with all the original fittings from the past it is a gem. There are 2 banks, Standard and FNB, each with an ATM. There is a fully stocked bottle store, Pep stores and a couple of second hand furniture and curio shops.

SPORTING AND RECREATION FACILITIES:

Bedford is an area well known for it’s sporting population and many forms of sport have become part of our attractive activities to do.

We have tennis courts, a beautiful 9 hole golf course, the prettiest cricket field in the country, a strong bowling club, horse riding activities and trails, paragliding thermals of note and numerous wonderful mountain and road bike routes.

The area is safe for running, hiking and birding. There is a steak night once a month open for anyone to attend.

The garden club is very active and the annual Garden festival has generated a lot of interest from visitors coming from far and wide.

Since its inception three years ago, attendance figures have more than doubled.

There is a large group of bridge players of all standards, many bookclubs, interest groups and communicators club.

Pillates and Callenetics are offered weekly.

There should be something for everyone here. There is some wonderful scenery, open spaces and abundant peace and tranquility for those wanting to just read a book and get out of the rat race for a while.

TOWN MATTERS AND TOURISM:

Bedford falls within the Nxuba Municipality, the administrative centre of which is in Adelaide some 15 minutes away.

The Bedford Town Hall, newly planted with more than 65 heritage roses, services the needs of the community with regards to water, electricity and sanitation.

Rates are reasonable and there is waterborne sewerage. The village’s infrastructure is generally well looked after but is in need of an overhaul.

The village is fortunate to have the services of an architect [who also runs a small construction company], a qualified plumber, several carpenters and joiners, bricklayers and plasterers as well as a local electrician.

The first house built in the area since 1964 – a charming Victorian cottage – was completed at the end of last year. The reconstruction of what was one of the most beautiful houses in the area has commenced and should be completed by the end of next year.

Several other old homesteads on surrounding farms are being renovated to be used as hunting lodges.

The newly-elected Council are totally committed to the development and upliftment of the area.

Tourism has been identified as offering the best opportunities for growth and a strong tourism marketing campaign is being driven by the local Tourism Portfolio Councillor with assistance from members of the local village and township communities. The Community Tourism Organisation also plays a strong role in driving tourism events and promotions.

More and more visitors are ‘stopping over’ as they recognise Bedford’s potential as a breakaway destination.

The Tourism Info Office operates out of the Town Library, which has a wealth of interesting fiction and non-fiction titles on its shelves.

The local Magistrates Court operates daily. There is a very efficient Post Office and a number of Clinics. The Bedford Provincial Hospital operates on a small scale however most residents use the Adelaide Hospital and that town’s resident doctors for their medical needs.

History forms a large part of the region’s tourism attraction and several of the locals have many fascinating stories to tell.

There are several B&B’s, Self-Catering, Farmstays, Guest Houses and Lodges in the area, all offering very clean and comfortable accommodation at reasonable rates. Click here to view more details

There are several beautiful churches in the village, including Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican, Dutch-Reformed and Seventh-Day Adventist.

There are a number of Community gardens and other Projects in the area.

GENERAL:

Bedford districts weather is temperate compared to the Karoo. The summer temperatures can reach 38 degrees but usually cooler with the minimums in winter being down to –1 degree if we are really cold.

There is seldom snow on the Kaga Mountain but the chill does flow down from the Winterberg range. The rainfall occurs in the form of thundershowers mainly in summer with the occasional cold front hitting the village in winter.

This is a wonderful climate for gardening and growing things. There is a main high school in the village . Templeton is dual medium. There is also a pre-school for all the little ones to attend.

The people of the Eastern Cape have always been known for their hospitality and friendliness and Bedford is no exception. People care.

The surrounds are beautiful, peaceful and the country feel abounds. Bird and wildlife is abundant with some of the local antelope species coming into the village at night. Bedford and surrounds are a little hidden treasure waiting to be explored.