Nieu Bethesda
Treasure at the end of the road
Take the long and winding road for 50kms from Graaff Reniet and you will end up in the sleepy village of Nieu Bethesda. It feels as if you’re stepping back in time, but in a good way. The pace of life slows and the locals are friendly; it’s postcard pretty and a place to lay back and relax.
The village found it’s way onto the tourist map with the opening of Helen Martin’s Owl House many years ago and has grown steadily since then. The ethereal cement images in the garden and eccentric decoration of the house speaks volumes about the kind of person she was – incredibly artistic and very troubled. Her work is considered to be one of South Africa’s best examples of outsider art.
For the more energetic folk there’s horse-riding, hiking and mountain bike trails and for the rest of us there’s reading, relaxing and resting!
Hedonist Hippy recommends
To visit:
The Owl House – this goes without saying as any visit to Nieu Bethesda would be incomplete without it! Allow time to wander and digest all the imagery. An almost mystical experience.
Sneeuberg Brewery and 2 Goats Deli – this delightful craft brewery can be found by following signs and asking directions! The beer is delicious and the cheese and meat platter consisting of home made goat’s cheeses is the perfect accompaniment. They also roast their own coffee. Lovely garden for the summer and old wooden interior for colder days.
Dustcovers Bookshop an independent and wholly delightful bookshop that has been around for many years. Second hand and new books along with book related items for sale. If you like to read, this is the place for you!
Boetie’s Pub -old fashioned pub with a lovely beer garden. Good place to meet locals.
To stay
The Onion Cottage – a beautiful open plan, self contained cottage – sleeps 2 – with beautiful gardens. Centrally situated and artistically decorated with all the amenities you could wish for. Large swimming pool for those hot sultry days (or nights) and it’s pet friendly to boot!
The Ibis b&b – lovely guest house in the heart of the village – beautifully decorated and offers a pool and braai facilities.
To eat
Stirlings @ The Ibis – a fabulous restaurant in the middle of nowhere! This restaurant is a real gem and we had a truly memorable meal. The chef forages locally to make inspired sauces and ice-creams (the wild garlic ice cream is incredible) and the food is really, really good! There is a very pretty walled courtyard for al fresco dining or a cosy dining room for winter nights. Open only Friday – Monday so time your visit as you really don’t want to miss out on this dining experience!
Zalig serves great breakfasts and pizzas.
Nowhere to go
The sky is super clear for star gazing and horses, sheep and goats roam freely in the streets. Take time out and experience the beauty of having nothing to do and nowhere to go – the only way out is the way you came in!
Check out their tourism website for further info
Where to find it
