This quaint Victorian village, nestling between the Klein River and the Klein River Mountains, is situated 33 km from Hermanus. Founded in 1857, the town has a rich historical background, reflected in it’s old buildings. Many artists find inspiration in the rustic environment of the village. The area is rich in birdlife and is renowned for it’s fynbos and flowers – exported worldwide.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 150 km, Hermanus 33 km, Caledon 50 km, Gansbaai 22 km

Banks

No banks or ATM’s – nearest are in Hermanus (33 km) or Gansbaai (22 km)

Altitude: 12 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 603 mm per year

Rivers: Klein River

HISTORICAL VIEW

Early History

In 1729, a farmer from Caledon, Juriaan Appel, first noticed the land at the foot of the Akkedis Mountains at the southeastern end of a wide, fertile plain that cultivated in the sea. He received a government grazing permit to graze his cattle and sheep on the land. Over the years the grazing permit changed hands numerous times until the government granted the farm to Christoffel Brandt in 1783. He built the first farmhouse and invited Andrew and Lady Anne Barnard to visit, which they did in 1798. the most notable owner of the ‘Kleine River Valey’ farm was Robert Stanford. He bought the land in 1838, while still in the British Army, and supplied the Cape Colony with fresh meat, fruit and vegetables from the farm, as well as building a large mill for milling wheat. In 1849 he became the victim of anti-convict agitation protesting against the British Government’s decision to settle convicts in the Cape. He was in full agreement with the protest, but because he was still an officer of the British Army he felt obliged to provide the convict ship, Neptune, with supplies from Stanfords Bay (near De Kelders). Due to this, colonists and banks refused to have dealings with Robert Stanford, his labourers were chased off the farm, his family pelted in the streets, his children expelled from school and his dying child refused medical help. He went to England to seek assistance from the British Government but all he received was 5 000 euro and a knighthood. On Sir Robert’s return to the Cape he found that documents had been falsified and the farm sold on auction, against his wishes, to Phillipus de Bruyn. De Bruyn was subdividing the farm into erven for a new town. Legend has it that Sir Robert paid de Bruyn 50 euro to have the town named Stanford. The first erven were sold by public auction on 5 May 1856 and the first deed registered to Duncan MdFarlane on 30 September 1857.

Historical Buildings

The Anglican Church (circa 1872) is situated on the Market Square. It is the oldest church in Stanford and is made from local stone and thatch. These buildings reverted from a mission school to an Anglican Church in 1872 and was finally given permission to perform weddings from 1892. The hall beside the church was meant to be the minister’s residence, but was used for Sunday School and as a classroom from Anglican children.

The Dutch Reformed Church stands on the site of Captain Stanfords pigeon cages. The church building was completed in 1926 at a coast of 12 000 euro, which included the building became the church hall and was later demolished and replaced in the 1960’s by the present hall.

Dutch Reformed Mission Church

The first mission church hall was built in 1930 on the farm Doornkrall and later, in 1936, another on Bruinklip. The latter began to look dilapidated, was demolished and the building materials used to built this little mission church in 1952.

Full Gospel Church

This church was erected in 1940 by the brothers Philip and Daan du Toit. It has always served more than one church denomination.

Farmhouse

The first farmhouse of Captain Robert Stanford (circa 1875) is situated in Church St.

The ‘Spookhuis’

This house was built on the farm Wortelgat along the Klein River. It was built from local limestone and has a large cellar used to store cheese. The name originates from travelers who thought they saw a little old lady, who resembled one of the original inhabitants, sitting near the house. Upon further investigation, the figure usually disappeared.

Bachelor’s Hope

The name is derived from the fact that the house was used to accommodate female schoolteachers, much to the joy of the local bachelors.

Langhuis

Situated in Queen Victoria Street. The 2^nd dwelling built on the original farm, now a hotel.

Okkie Smuts Primary School

Built in 1920 from local sandstone. The three front rooms were built in 1910. The headmaster lived in one of the rooms. The wings were built in the 1920’s and the other buildings added at a later stage.

Duminy’s Shop & Home

The building was built by Jaap Swaney and changed hands many times. The last shop owner was Hendrik Duminy who owned it until the 1960’s during which time it became a wellknown landmark.

Other

The Market Square

Stanford is one of the few places in South Africa that still has a functional market square. It is still used as a common for community and sports events. The Stanford Heritage Festival is held here annually on the last Saturday in October.

Old Graveyard

The site for this graveyard was chosen by the earliest owners of the Klein River Valley farm. Legend has it that one of the owners, probably Parlby, wanted to see his beloved’s grave from the farm house’s balcony. Hester Parlby’s was one of the earliest graves and Phillipus De Bruyn, the village of Stanford’s founder, was also laid to rest here.

NATURE

Fairhill Private Nature Reserve

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Salmonsdam Nature Reserve

This 846 ha nature reserve with it’s beautiful kloofs (valleys), mountains and fynbos is situated just outside Standford. The reserve is home to various species of game and is rich in birdlife, more than 128 species have been identified. Accommodation facilities consist of one 8 bed cottage, two 4 bed cottages and four camping / caravan sites. Other facilities include five one day hiking trails ranging from 3 km to 9 km in length.

Other

Within a 20 km radius of Stanford, other recreational options include whale watching, Great White Shark expeditions and much more.

Otters and Turtles

To be seen in and around the Klein River

ATTRACTIONS

Arts & Crafts

Standford is a haven for artists and craftsmen, most of whom welcome visitors into their homes and studios. Information available from the Stanford Tourism Bureau.

Klein River Cheese

Tours, Safari’s and Cruises

Birkenhead Brewery Tours

Coastal Kyak Trails

Fynbos Eco Tours

Hikers and Protea Walks

Historical Tour of Standford

Lagoon Cruises

River Boat Trips

ACTIVITIES

Bird Watching

A trip down the Klein River is ideal for bird watching, although the whole area is rich in birdlife – more than 140 species have been recorded to date.

Clay Pigeon Shooting

Hiking

Hikes and Protea Walks

Stanford Walking Trail

Fishing

Horse Riding

River Leisure

The Klein River is especially suitable for boating, canoeing and swimming. Bring your own boats and canoes or hire them from Prawn Flats Boat Hire in Hermanus.

Accommodation in and around Stanford