17 Things to do in Stanford in the Overberg

17 Things to do in Stanford in the Overberg

One thing you learn very quickly about Stanford in the Overberg is that it’s hard not to fall under the spell of its numerous restaurants and wineries. But wining and dining isn’t the only thing to do in the town, not by far. Here’s my pick of 17 things to do in Stanford. 

You’ll find Stanford just a two-hour drive from Cape Town in South Africa, an attractive 25km drive from Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast. It’s the perfect blend of country atmosphere and small-town living, mountains, rivers and lagoons. I love it for its natural surroundings – and yes, also for its wineries and great little restaurants that focus on locally sourced food.

1. Ride a horse 

Whether you fancy the idea of galloping across a white beach with your horse’s mane flying in the breeze or would prefer a more sedate canter through the fynbos, talk to the guys at African Horse Company about their guided outrides and multi-day trails. There’s something to suit every level of experience, from beginners to expert riders.

2. Go nature quad biking

What to do in Stanford, quad biking

Learn about fynbos, birds and lagoon wetlands on a guided quad bike tour at Mosaic Private Sanctuary. Ride along the edge of the lagoon or climb to the top of the sand dunes to see 40-ton southern right whales in the sea below during whale season (June to November, see point 3 below). Guided trips take one to three hours and are free to guests staying at Lagoon Lodge, but even if you’re not staying at the lodge you can phone ahead to book one of these tours.

3. Go whale watching ​

Photo: Creation Wines

You need a 4x4 to travel the sandy gravel road to the secluded beach at De Plaat, 15km from Stanford in the direction of De Kelders. From De Plaat you might see dolphins swimming and feeding, and it’s a great place for spotting southern right whales from June to November. Mierkom beach, part of De Plaat in the Walker Bay Private Reserve, is another great vantage point for whale watching. Or do the Walker Bay Fishing Trail for a chance to go fishing and whale watching. You have to pass through Stanford to get there so ask at the info centre in the main road for directions. You need a permit, which is issued at the gate.

4. Visit the village markets ​

Okay, so this one is also food-related, but not entirely! The Sunset Market takes place in the village square from 6 pm - 8 pm on the last Friday of every month, and it’s as much about meeting the locals and other visitors as it is about food. You can certainly make it your supper stop, with everything from German sausages, tacos with guacamole, spring rolls (you have to try the innovative milk tart spring roll), bread, honey, wine and Don Gelato’s traditional artisanal Italian gelato. Stock up on organic veggies, listen to live music, buy flowers or get your kid’s face painted.

Another market takes over the stoep of the Stanford Hotel on the main road every Saturday morning. Here the locals sell cakes, pastries and pies, breads, preserves, honey, flowers, herbs and fresh seasonal veggies from their gardens. Take a basket or shopping bag to carry away your stash.

Many of the people who sell at these markets belong to the suitably epic-sounding Stanford Food Heroes - a local initiative that promotes locally grown and made produce in a way that helps the local economy and is environmentally friendly (most is organic and there’s no long-distance transport to hoik up the carbon footprint).

5. Go on a river cruise

Stanford lies along the Klein River, and there’s a path along the bank that you can walk. But perhaps the best way to enjoy the river and see some of almost 130 bird species that occur here is to take a late afternoon river cruise on the African Queen or Lady Stanford. Watch the mountains change colour and discover why the locals are so besotted with their sunsets.

6. Go beer tasting 

Visit the Birkenhead Brewery (at Walker Bay Estate, entrance on the R326 just outside Stanford) for a beer tasting. Start with the delicate Honey Blonde, served with a wedge of lemon. I’m not really a beer drinker but this was my favourite. Other brews include Pilsener, lager and old English Ale styles, with quirky names like Pot Belly, Laughing Croc, Lazy Leopard and Dead Parrot. Order a plate of food like burgers, salads, fish and chips, or just enjoy the view of the Klein River mountains while you sip. It’s open from 11:00 till 17:00 daily for tastings. If you want to do a craft brewery tour, you need to book ahead.

7. Visit a Big Cat Sanctuary

Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary just off the R326 about 10km from Stanford village is 40ha of true sanctuary where the primary focus is on the well-being of the animals - ​lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs and caracals - that live there. In a perfect world, these animals should be wild but life has thrown them into negative situations from which they can never be rewilded - think canned lion hunting, the tiger and lion bone trade, cub petting, circuses and breeding farms. Panthera Africa gives these rescued animals a forever home in a protected area and is dedicated to educating people about the horrors of these exploitative industries. They are fiercely committed to not trading or breeding any of their animals. You can visit to photograph and learn about these beautiful cats and the threats they face. No hands-on interactions allowed. Bookings are essential.

8. Go bird watching

The whole Stanford area is a joy for twitchers, so keep your binos with you when you go hiking or walking along the beach at Die Plaat or Mierkom. You might spot blue cranes in the wheatfields around Stanford, Gansbaai, Napier, Elim, Arniston and Bredasdorp, orange-breasted sunbird, black harrier and Verreaux’s eagle in the Klein River mountains, or flamingos along the Klein River Lagoon and Walker Bay Nature Reserve.

9. Explore a mountain reserve 

If you want to get into nature and explore hikes among the fynbos, visit Phillipskop Mountain Reserve along a gravel road in the Klein River mountains. Get a day permit at the gate and go hiking, birding and exploring the fynbos. You might spot a klipspringer, duiker or parrot-beaked tortoise along the way. The reserve also offers guided walks to discover fynbos and rock art in a cave. If you’re really keen on plants, owner and guide Chris Whitehouse is happy to share his encyclopaedic knowledge. Book ahead for any guided walk.

10. Take a walk through historical Stanford

Ask at the Stanford Tourism office in Queen Victoria Street for the booklet Historical Stanford on Foot and walk the village to discover some of the old buildings and their original purpose. The gloomy shop that used to be full of snakeskins and stuffed animal heads, where no women were allowed. The house when Tant Grieta resisted the luxury of electricity until 2003. The house where Lady Ann Barnard stayed in 1798 and the house dubbed Bachelors’ Hope because that’s where young lady school teachers used to stay.

11. Treat yourself to a massage

You’ll find the Mosaic Private Sanctuary’s Milkwood Spa on the edge of the Klein River lagoon a few kilometres west of Stanford. Enjoy a massage in the minimalist salon or outside under the milkwoods, with a view of the lagoon. Being surrounded by nature in this tranquil environment is the ultimate indulgence.

12. Go cheese tasting or picnicking  

Here we go again with the foodie theme - you just can’t get away from it in Stanford! Visit Klein River Cheese, 7km up the R326 towards Napier, to taste its range of cheeses. They’re all made with non-animal rennet and contain no hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives or colourants. You’ll find Colby, Leiden, Danbo, Gruberg, Grana and Havarti, as well as the slightly sweet and nutty Stanford.

Enjoy a picnic lunch (Monday to Saturday from 9:00 till 16:00) at a shady table or on the extensive lawns. Buy an artisan cheese platter of Klein River cheeses, fresh ciabatta, beetroot chutney and nasturtium pesto, or grab a basket and create your own picnic from all the goodies in the picnic shed. You’ll find everything you need, from cheese boards, drinks, deli items, even blankets. There are kiddies’ baskets too, and a lovely playground.

13. Get some retail therapy - with a difference

Walk through the village in search of antique shops, galleries and gift stores where you can browse and buy.

14. Go wine tasting and eat at good restaurants 

Although I have a post dedicated to the hedonistic pleasures of eating and wine tasting in Stanford, I’d be remiss to leave them off this list entirely because they’re such an essential part of the Stanford experience. Good restaurants - from homely fare to fine dining - are thick on the ground here, as are wineries where it’s easy to while away an afternoon in agreeable surroundings. Read my post about Stanford restaurants and wine farms to tempt your tastebuds.

15. Stay over in Stanford accommodation 

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to Stanford accommodation, with everything from B&Bs and self-catering to luxury options. Given how much there is to see and do in the dorp, staying over makes a lot of sense.

Stanford Valley Guest Farm is tucked into the Klein River valley outside Stanford and its main attractions are its serene country atmosphere and mountain views. Added attractions are a horse paddock, rolling green lawns, a vineyard, farm dam for swimming, and hiking and mountain biking trails. Really good food in The Manor House restaurant too (sorry, couldn’t resist mentioning food again).

At Mosaic Private Sanctuary & Spa you can stay at Lagoon Lodge or in self-catering cottages at Die Spookhuis. Both have a wide-screen view of mountains and the lagoon, which is sometimes awash with flamingos.

Blue Gum Country Estate is a working wine farm among giant blue gum trees on the banks of the Klein River. All rooms have private verandahs looking out over vineyards, gardens or mountains where you can listen to the coucals and other birds in the morning. The lush gardens inspire walks - or you can go on a 45-minute trail above the manor house.

16. Plan a destination wedding

If you dream of a destination wedding and are lucky enough to be able to afford one, Stanford may just be the answer you’re looking for. Think gorgeous surroundings for anything from a stylish luxury wedding to something smaller and more intimate. There are plenty of guesthouses and B&Bs to accommodate your guests and spectacular settings for your photographs. All the places I mentioned in point 15 can help you plan a wedding, or check out some of these other Stanford wedding venues.

17. Explore further afield

There are many fascinating areas and things to do within easy driving distance of Stanford. Visit Gansbaai for shark cage diving or boat-based whale watching, explore a cave at De Kelders, walk in an ancient indigenous forest at Platbos a 30-minute drive from Stanford, explore a wealth of things to do in Hermanus just 25km away, or take a day trip to the Cape Agulhas lighthouse and the southernmost point of Africa about a 90-minute drive away.

Source: roxannereid.co.za