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Bedford Country Gardens 2024

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Bedford Country Gardens 2024

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Friday 25 – Sunday 27 October and Friday 8 – Sunday 10 November

Contact for enquiries: Marcelle Ainsley on 072 408 1093

Website: www.bedford.co.za

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BELMONT FARM
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Ria and Henry Moolman
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A gem is waiting for you at Belmont, as Ria says, “A piece of heaven”. Majestic mountains form the background of a peaceful and colourful 50-yearold garden. Something old, something new and definitely something blue. Masses of roses and shrubs are planted in beds which make use of natural elements, river stones and interesting pieces from the farm. Plants from a bygone era, huge trees, and a beautiful lawn. A must-see.

Directions: Take the Tarkastad road via Baviaans Route, pass the big white church on your right, 2km after the church turn left, onto a smaller road Belmont is the third farm.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: R20

Time to view: 45 minutes to an hour

Why visit? Totally off-grid. A donkey is used for hot water. Sun and wind power.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Picnic Spots

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CAVERS COUNTRY HOUSE
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Kenneth and Rozanne Ross, Bruce and Tarin Ross
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This peaceful oasis with huge trees, sweeping lawns and bountiful herbaceous borders frames a blue-chip guest house and gracious fifth generation family home. Windows in the various garden rooms invite the eye outwards towards the magnificent mountains and sky. There is space to unwind and dream: grand scale is part of the lingering impression.

Directions: Travel out of Bedford on the R63 toward Adelaide. After 8 km, turn left at the Cowie/Cavers/Mill Cricket Ground sign onto a dirt road. After 3.4 km, take the left at the T-junction, through a security gate for 2 km. Cavers Country Garden will be on the right.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: R30. Children free

Time to view: 30-40 minutes

Why visit? Large country garden with rolling lawns and spectacular views.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Food and Drink
  • Picnic Spots

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DE OUDE FABREECK
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Jacques Muller and Benita Blom Kotze
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Bedford isn’t the same without visiting the magical De Oude Fabreeck (formerly Eagle Hout). Experience our inspired hospitality, natural lush garden and restaurant area that evolves daily! Enjoy live entertainment both weekends, with plenty to see and do for the whole family!

Directions: 47 Van Riebeeck Street (Lower end)

Time: 8:00-late

Entry: Free

Enquiries: Jacques/de Oude staff on 046 685 0994 or jacques@deoudefabreeck.co.za

Website: www.deoudefabreeck.co.za

Time to view: 45 minutes

Why visit? Lush green landscape, adorned with a beautiful old factory and buildings that create interesting accents to the scenery.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Food and Drink
  • Picnic Spots

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DONKERHOEK
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Mike and Barbara Church
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The old stone house has a wonderful vista framed by lawn, old trees, aloes, plumbago, and Tecoma capensis. Behind is a stone walled kitchen garden with raised beds, and beyond are plenty of other vegetables and fruit trees.

Directions: Travel out of Bedford on the R63 toward Adelaide. After 8 km turn left at the Cowie/Cavers/Mill Cricket Ground sign onto a dirt road. After 3.4 km take the left at the T-junction, through a security gate for 0.5 km. Take a right at the Donkerhoek sign, over the causeway and around the hill. The sign is on the left.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Time to view: 40 minutes

Why visit? Organic vegetable garden, ancestral 160-year-old stone house, lovely old trees and marvellous vistas.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Food and Drink

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EILDON
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Taryn and David Pringle
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Open Only 8 November – 10 November

This soft, tranquil space is in sharp contrast to the rugged and harsh countryside surrounding it. The garden mirrors the formality of the 7th-generation homestead, although planting within the beds is informal. It consists of six distinct rooms: the entrance area, the sunken rose garden, the white room, the pool room, the park area, and the orangery.

Directions: From Bedford, travel 10 km towards Cookhouse. Turn right onto the gravel road towards the Baviaans through the boom gate. Travel 37 km; the Eildon sign is on the left-hand side.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: R30

Time to view: 45 minutes

Why visit? Mass planting, 600+ roses, established trees, sweeping lawns and 100-year-old stone walls.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Food and Drink

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FAIR HOLT FARM
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A new garden has been established around the farm’s original homestead. The garden is low maintenance and waterwise, featuring indigenous plants and a formal area framed by saltbush, which has a long history of traditional use in the area. Delicate French Panarosa roses are planted along the front of the house. The herb and vegetable garden has been expanded over the last two seasons and is now an extension of the nursery area.

Directions: From Bedford, turn right onto the R63 towards Cradock. After 10 km, turn right towards Tarkastad and go through a red/white security boom (no cell signal after this point). After 18.5 km turn left at the white sign ‘WD Pringle’ among other names, and drive through a drift. Continue for 5 km. The road will then fork (left/house or right/shed). Take the left fork, drive ±500 m and park on the road.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: R20

Time to view: 30 minutes

Why visit? Formal garden with saltbush, roses, vegetables, plants for sale, tea and coffee.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Food and Drink
  • Picnic Spots

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GLEN AVON FARM
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Alison and Bill Brown
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With its charm and character, Glen Avon’s historic stone farmhouse blends with the informal English country garden, filled with perennials, roses and shade areas under the oak trees. Flowing borders enable an uninterrupted view of pastures and mountains, creating a feeling of tranquillity.

Directions: From Bedford, take the R63 towards Cradock and turn left onto the N10 to Cookhouse. Turn right onto R63, and after 21 km, turn right at sign Glen Avon B&B. Travel 6.5 km of good gravel road.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: R30. Children free

Time to view: 30 minutes

Why visit? A visit to this 8th-generation farm, where stately trees stand alongside the 200-year-old stone farmhouse, exudes a sense of timelessness.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Food and Drink
  • Picnic Spots

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GLEN GREGOR
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Shirley Ainslie
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Nestled in the Cowie Valley, this lush garden, shaded by large trees and nourished by the Cowie stream, boasts beautiful mountain and forest views. It’s a haven for shade-loving plants and a paradise for bird lovers.

Directions: Turn left off the R63 towards the Mill Cricket Ground and Cavers. At the T-junction, turn left. Go through two access gates to the end of the road.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: Voluntary Donation to Animal Welfare

Time to view: 30 minutes

Why visit? The views of the indigenous forest and the distant mountains.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Picnic Spots

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MAASSTRÖM FARM GARDEN
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Pete and Dors Freese
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A magnificent Atlas Cedar welcomes you to the historical Maasström farm garden. The formal garden of roses, topiaries and pathways are surrounded by informal plantings. The grove of yellowwood trees leads you to the Heritage Rose Garden, including David Austin roses. Mature trees shade the footpaths, with benches placed for quiet contemplation. The Cycad Garden has developed well and houses interesting specimens. For the first time, the Courtyard Garden will be open this year. A memorable garden that will inspire and fill you with peace.

Directions: Maasström Farm Garden is in town, tucked below the mountain. Van Riebeeck Street leads straight to the entrance, which is marked by two white pillars.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: R20. Children free

Time to view: 30-40 minutes

Why visit? A tranquil garden with many areas of interest.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Picnic Spots

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MANDALAY
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Bruce and Janine Pitt
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23 Stockholm Street, Bedford
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Mandalay is situated in a peaceful area of Bedford and overlooks the beautiful golf course and the mountain. Espaliered fruit trees count among the 12 varieties of fruit and nut trees that (along with veggies in raised beds) help fulfil the dream of self-sufficiency in this gracious space with its stunning outlook. Solar installations and water harvesting make it 90% off-grid. Roses and fragrant climbers perfume the air, while structure and ironwork provide interesting focal points. There is something to inspire all in this everchanging town garden.

Time: 08:00 – 22:00 Friday and Saturday; 08:00-12:00 Sunday

Entry: R30

Time to view: 30-45 minutes
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Food and Drink

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OLIVEWOODS
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Brett and Wendy Wienand
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Olivewoods is a large well-established, park-like garden in a wonderful setting with spectacular views. Richly planted perennial borders frame a sweep of lawns and majestic old trees. Large group plantings with no bare ground allowed fill the beds and banks and create a setting of lushness and repose.

Directions: From Bedford, take the R63 towards Cradock. Turn left on the N10 to Cookhouse. Turn right onto R63, and after 9 km, turn right to Olivewoods.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: R30

Time to view: 30-45 minutes
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Picnic Spots

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THE ORCHARDS
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Graeme and Liesl Brown
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A large informal country garden that springs to life with an abundance of colour in the spring, continuing through the warmer summer months. Graced by grand old oak trees, the homestead enjoys breathtaking views. Garden beds lead onto lush kikuyu pastures, leading the eyes to a magnificent mountain landscape. The garden is constantly changing, with new beds and features being added.

Directions: From Bedford, take the R63 towards Cradock, turn left onto the N10 to Cookhouse. Turn right onto R63, and after 21km, turn right at sign Glen Avon B&B. Travel 6.5 km on a good gravel road.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: R30. Children free

Time to view: 45 minutes

Why visit? A large farm garden with many roses, shrubs and annuals set against magnificent views.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Food and Drink
  • Picnic Spots

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THE COLE STREET CONSERVATORY
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The Duke of Bedford
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This organic garden has a formal layout with a central fountain to attract birds, butterflies and bees. The plants are labelled with their benefits and provide herbs, garnishes, and table decorations for Apprentice Training School, as well as on the premises. This Masterchef-style kitchen provides cooking classes during the week for local full-time students.

Directions: From the roundabout in the centre of Bedford, head towards Adelaide. The Cole Street Conservatory is about 50 m away on the right.

Time: 8:00 -17:00

Entry: Free

Enquiries: Abigail White on 0741873787 or abigail.white@dukeofbedford.co.za

Website: www.dukeofbedford.co.za

Time to view: 20 minutes

Why visit? An edible garden that includes herbs, fruit, and the garden’s heritage roses.
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Food and Drink
  • Picnic Spots

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THE SA ROSARIUM
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Kim van Niekerk

The special and unique national collection of old roses in South Africa is planted in The South African Rosarium in the quaint garden village of Bedford, Eastern Cape. The tranquil garden is nestled at the foothills of the Kaga Mountain on the outskirts of the village. This position offers an ideal growing climate for these wild species of roses to prosper and be preserved. The garden offers rose bushes for sale, often those not found in commercial nurseries.

Directions: Corner of Upper Stockholm Street and Hart Street, Bedford.

Time: 8:00-17:00

Entry: Donation

Enquiries: Kim van Niekerk 082 775 5178

Time to view: 30 minutes
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  • Plant Sales
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Picnic Spots
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The Gardener