2
Western Cape
Stanford Old Mill
Overberg
Dating back more than 200 years, the Stanford Old Mill is one of
the oldest buildings in the area. From a hand-milling operation, it was
transformed into a watermill by Sir Robert Stanford and then became
a dressing mill for grain. We found it quite by accident and, fortunately,
spent the night in what has been lovingly transformed into self-catering
accommodation. Built of limestone, sandstone and local wood,
50-centimetre-thick walls, as well as the hospitality, created warmth
and highlighted the historic quality of this cottage. We were verycomfortable in the en suite, double bedroom, and grateful for double-
glazed sash windows, as well as the Morso burner that kept the winter
chill at bay. It is tastefully decorated, and well equipped, and we were
sorry to spend just one night there. A loft with two single beds makes
it an ideal getaway for a family of four. All this is set in a lush garden
with views of the Klein River Mountains. Stanford has many interesting
little shops and is known for its eateries. We visited two of them and
they lived up to their reputation. The region offers a variety of activities
for all age groups, and a few days allows time for many adventures.- Olivia Schaffer
084 770 9552, stanfordoldmill.co.za
3
Northern Cape
Rooipoort Nature Reserve
Kimberley
The 40 000-hectare Rooipoort Nature Reserve has belonged to
De Beers since 1893 and is one of the oldest conservation areas in
Southern Africa. More than 40 000 hectares in size, the reserve is ranked
among the largest private reserves in South Africa, and was declared
the fourth South African Natural Heritage Site in 1985.
About 65 kilometres west of Kimberley, Rooipoort has
32 kilometres of river frontage along the Vaal. Much of
its history is still around for visitors to enjoy today. Cecil
John Rhodes had the Shooting Box built to accommodate
hunters to the area. The smaller Shooting Box Cottage
next to it follows the same style, clad in corrugated iron
and furnished with antiques. I had the privilege of staying
in the cottage for two nights while exploring the reserve.
The cottage consists of two bedrooms, a dining room,
kitchen and separate toilet, bath and shower. A gum tree
towers over the cottage, with mining implements and
paraphernalia on display. There are several other historic
buildings scattered around and certainly one of the mostimpressive was the old-fashioned cold-storage room with water running
down the inside of the thick walls, and small holes allowing the breeze
to cool the water. Hunting was stopped here many years ago and as
a result, there is plenty of game and wildlife. Ask to visit Bushman’s
Fountain, a rocky outcrop that is home to more than 4 000 rock
engravings. – René de Klerk
053 839 4455, [email protected]http://www.countrylife.co.za 049 September 2019