Stanford
Down by the river
This tranquil village lies on the banks of the Klein River and is surrounded by mountains of the same name. It is reminiscent of an English village with it’s green lawns fronting the houses which show off lush gardens.
There are lovely shops to visit, especially if you like antiques, and plenty of places to eat and drink.
Beautiful walks along the river or just wander the pretty streets admiring the old houses and scenery.
A short drive (30 mins) from Hermanus for those wanting shops and nightlife, whilst being remote enough to be out of the city spotlight, if that’s what you prefer.
The village is well placed for visiting wineries on the Stanford Wine Route and there are good eateries on the farms if you exhaust the ones in the village!
Hedonist Hippy recommends
To eat:
Ou Muel – situated at the entrance to the village it serves freshly made bread, croissants and mouth-watering pies for which they are famous! Great vibe inside and menu offering fresh produce sandwiches, burgers etc. to be washed down with local craft beer or wine! Also serves great coffee! Open daily 7.30am-6pm.
Table 13 – is an old-style bar and grill serving up good wholesome food. The connecting door from the dining room leads into the local pub and is a great place to meet locals and enjoy a glass of wine or two. Open midday – 9pm Tuesday to Saturday; midday – 4pm Sunday; closed Monday.
To stay:
B’s Cottage – self catering, beautiful “old cottage” that was in fact built in the 1990’s to resemble an old fisherman’s home. Lovely garden and views of the Klein River mountains across the green. Sleeps 2 and is pet friendly.
Reed Cottage – self catering cottage with 2 double bedrooms and private garden. Beautifully decorated and equipped and central to walking anywhere in the village.
To do:
Walking Trail – wander along the Klein River on well sign-posted routes. Look out for the wonderful bird life, including the Blue Crane and Fish Eagle if you’re lucky!
Horse Riding – situated close to Stanford, outrides and overnight rides offered in the Stanford valley.
River Paddling – enjoy the quiet waters of the Klein River and watch out for the elusive Cape Clawless Otter that lives in the river banks. If you don’t want to do it yourself, book onto a river trip and let someone else do the hard work!
Enjoy it at your own pace
Take in this lovely, rural village and unwind for a night or two. There are a wealth of activities to choose from – either strenuous or just relaxing with a glass of the local wine.
The villagers are friendly and the place is very pretty. Use it as a stop-over or as a destination in its own right – whatever you decide you shouldn’t miss it.
Check out their very comprehensive website for further details.