An oasis in the heart of the Karoo Midlands
It is all about the journey when you point your vehicle in the direction of Somerset East.
Take it slow. Stop…and allow the silence to envelope you. Capture the majestic mountains and never ending blue sky on film. Taste the homemade jams and biltong on sale at a quaint farm stall. Admire the shades of green and brown rolling past your window as you drive past sprawling farmsteads and vast sheep and cattle farms. Feel your heart beating in unison with the wild pulse of the Karoo and its even wilder inhabitants. And when you finally enter the picturesque town of Somerset East, allow the tranquillity that radiates from the people, and the area, to set the pace.
Based at the foot of the mysterious Boschberg Mountain, the town is a green oasis in the sometimes harsh “place of thirst” – the Karoo. Along with Cookhouse and Pearston, Somerset East falls within the Blue Crane Route Municipal area.
Established in 1825 by Lord Charles Somerset, it was not only the British who found the town captivating but also the Xhosas, Khoisan, Dutch pioneers and Settlers. Today, the town has various stately heritage sites that whisper the rich history of the area.
Glimpses of the town
Somerset East Museum
Originally erected as a chapel, this lovely building was converted into a Parsonage in 1835 and declared a Provincial Heritage Site in 1972. The Georgian building forms part of the Boschberg Nature Reserve and hosts the permanent exhibition on the 1815 Slagter’s Nek Rebellion.
This beautiful building looks out over the town and is a tranquil picnic place in the summer. Venture inside and find out more about the town’s coloured history, including the story of the Flora Dolls and that of interesting people like John Kepe, better known as ‘Samson of the Mountain’, and Mrs. Dora Jacobs who died at the age of 123. Venture around the back of the Museum and you can have a look inside the Xhosa Exhibition.
The town also boasts several Provincial Heritage sites, most of which can be found in Paulet Street just below the Museum.
Head inside the Somerset Museum and try to find the Biltong Festival’s main sponsor in the pantry…we did!
Walter Battiss Art Gallery
Originally an Officers Mess for British troops stationed on the eastern frontier, 45 Paulet Street has had an interesting history. From private home to hotel, it now houses a permanent exhibition of work by renowned artist, Walter Battiss.
Walter Battiss was also a friend of Pablo Picasso.
Churches
Beautifully constructed churches add to the architectural treasure trove found in Somerset East.
The Angler and Antelope
This four star luxury guesthouse is a beautiful amalgamation of different eras. Amenities of the 21st Century are infused with a friendly, tourist-orientated ambience of yesteryear. A good example of this is the St Francis Culinary Centre, which is an old church, built in 1906. It has character and many a visitor to the guesthouse spends their time in the Centre enjoying traditional fare and chatting to knowledgeable hosts, Annabelle and Allan Hobson.
Allan Hobson also hosts the Trout Fishing Competition at the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival. For more information on the Competition contact Mr. Hobson on: 042 – 243 3440.
Somerset Hotel
Every little town has one - a hotel whose walls whisper stories of the past. This is then also true of the Somerset Hotel, who one night hosted a farmer and…his horse in Room 12 and 13.
The Hotel is also the location for Crazi Dazi, a shop that sells clothing for the uniquely different. For the Biltong Festival its owner, Ilze Dalton, game up with a ‘crazi bag’ that one can use during the Festival.
Surrounded by nature
Typical Karoo veld, indigenous forests, grassveld to rolling savannah plains, the Blue Crane Route is one of the only areas in South Africa that can boast with four biomes in one district.
Somerset East is indeed a little gem in the heart of the Karoo where tourists will not only be able to stroll down charming streets, meet friendly locals, sample some traditional South African fare, but also embrace their ‘wild’ side, by participating in various adrenaline-inspired activities like abseiling, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, gorge glides, 4X4 trails, river tubing and rock climbing. For those who enjoy more relaxed activities Somerset East offers birding, game viewing, camping, fishing, fly fishing and horse riding. Being a town that is so close to nature, it is no surprise that Somerset East annually hosts’ the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival.
If you’d like more information on Somerset East, please visit:
http://www.somerseteasttourism.co.za
You can also contact the Tourism Office:
Ros Turner
Tel: 042 243 1333/6448
Cell: 073 698 6539
Email: bcrm.tourism@lgnet.org.za
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