Home Introduction Things To Do Events Architecture History Contact Us Stanford is an ideal base from which to explore the Overberg region. From the southern most point of Africa to beautiful hand made candles or even a casino. To witness the kilometres of rolling green wheat fields splashed with bright yellow canola flowers that seem to form waves as the wind blows across them. Take a picnic basket to a beach that disappears in the distance around a bend in the shoreline. You will definitely not want to go home. Sample the local beer - Birkenhead Brewery with a sweeping view over the mountains, brews Premium lager, Honey Blond Ale, Birkenhead Pride and Malt Stout. All with a unique taste. Come and sample their wares. Quad biking - If horses are too tame for you try quad biking. Telephone 082-545-5078. Antiques and collectables - The New Junk Shop; you will need to travel far to find another antique shop carrying such a variety and quality of old "stuff". At the Art Café view a selection of art and sculptures including ceramicist Gay du Toit who displays her unique pottery or amble over to the Stanford Centre to browse through a large collection of books both old and new. The original farmhouse of Sir Robert Stanford houses art, crafts and collectables. Also visit the Stanford Trading Post if you are looking for something different to use as décor in your home. Domain du Cap and TAT provide "something old, something new". Although there is no bank in Stanford, a number of ATM's are available. Restaurants - Mariana's Home Deli & Bistro, winner two years in a row of the best country restaurant award. You need to book well in advance for her popular lunches. Hennie's Pub and Grill prepares mouth-watering steaks. Something traditionally English, try Havercrofts. Peregrine farm stall for tea/coffee at 10 with fresh scones and cream (from the local Klein River farm) or a farm breakfast. Paprika restaurant offers mouth-watering lunches and dinners with a Thai flavour, while Mandeli's restaurant has equally excellent cuisine. Not being licensed (i.e. bring your own wine), Mandeli's is excellent value for money. Madre's Kitchen provides scrumptious breakfasts and lunches next to the farm dam, while the "tall cakes" at the Art's Café are to die for. If these eateries are not to your taste, Hermanus has a large variety of restaurants. Property - If you enjoy Stanford as much as we think you will, and wish to move here like we did, visit Stanford Village Properties. Village market - Stanford's Christmas Sunset Market will be held on Friday 18 December 2009 from 18:00-20:00 on the market square. From January 2010 the village market will be held every last Friday evening of the month from 18:00 - 20:00 at the Birkenhard Brewery. Enjoy local food, wine and beer whilst browsing for crafts and listening to live music. Contact (028) 341-0957 or (028) 341-0430 for details. Glendower Bird Fair - first weekend in October (see "things to do"). Whale watching - July to November each year (see "things to do"). The Hermanus Whale Festival takes place annually, during the last week of September. The old village of Stanford is a proclaimed heritage site in terms of the South African Heritage Resources Act. Strict building rules apply to maintain the architectural heritage of the village. Robert Stanford was born in 1806 in the Irish village of Ballina in county Mayo. At the age of 32 he resigned his commission from the British Army and retired on half-pay. He and his wife emigrated to the Cape Colony and purchased the farm Kleine Rivier's Valley the present site of the village of Stanford. Robert Stanford was a progressive farmer so much so that instead of transporting his produce over the mountain by ox wagon he purchased a small ship a sailed to Cape Town from a cove 12 miles from his farm. Apart from Kleine Rivier's Valley he purchased seven other farms in the Colony. In 1849 the British Government decided to send 300 Irish "convicts" to the Cape. The Colonists resolved that if the "convicts" were to arrive, the Government or anyone associated with them would not be supplied with provisions or services. In this way they hoped to force the Government to send the "convicts" to Australia. The convict ship Neptune did arrive and the resolution was brought into force. So effective was the blockade that the Governor approached Robert Stanford, who was still in the employ of Her Majesty, to supply the government with provisions. If he refused a state of martial law would be declared and the supplies taken by force. Realising that people could be killed he agreed to supply the provisions. The Neptune sailed away with the "convicts" but the people of the colony blamed Stanford for going against the resolution of the whole community and he was completely ostracized. His children were barred from going to school and even when his youngest daughter fell ill the doctor refused to attend to her resulting in her death. His exclusion from the community was complete. He sailed to England to ask for compensation for his losses and was knighted and paid 5 000 pounds. On returning to the Cape he found that his farms had been stripped and through devious means many of them sold. His future in the Cape was bleak and he went back to England where he died a virtual pauper at the age of 70. Phillippus de Bruyn bought the Kleine Rivier's Valley farm from Stanford at an auction. On 30 September 1857 he sold the first plot of the new village he decided to call Stanford. (Reference: Stanford Stories 11) Get Active - There is a lovely historical walk that will give you background on the houses (and their past residents). Booklets are available from Stanford Tourism or get it here. 
Situated in the Overberg (over the mountain from Cape Town) in South Africa, is the small village of Stanford. Established in 1857 it retains an old quiet charm. Stanford is not an ordinary village. It is a village with a river running through it. It is a village watched over by a friendly mountain. Birds abound. Wine cellars, a micro brewery, local cheeses, restaurants (saves cooking), and antique shops. On the farms surrounding the village "fynbos" species flower through out most of the year. 15km down the road watch whales (in season) from the cliffs or from a light aircraft. Go shark diving. If you feel the pace is too much for you the beach is only 20km away. 
Bird watching - Take a birding boat trip down the Klein River or arrange to walk on one of the farms around Stanford. The Glendower Bird Fair is held on the first weekend in October when birders from far and wide come to Stanford to include in their check list amongst others, the Cape Sugarbird. 
Whale watching - Hermanus, the best land based whale watching destination in the world, is just 20km down the road. From July to November the Southern Right Whale (sometimes over 120 of them) frequents the waters of Walker Bay to calve and mate. Daily flights or a whale watching boat can also be arranged. At De Kelders, 15km from Stanford, sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea whilst watching the whales. 
Shark cage diving - A guaranteed adrenalin rush. See the Great White Shark from up close. For more info, visit Dyer Island Cruises. 
Fishing - "Die Plaat" is a 17km stretch of shoreline forming part of Walker Bay. Sand beaches and rocky outcrops are ideal fishing grounds. As this is part of a nature reserve, a permit is required for both fishing and getting there with a 4x4. There are many other fishing areas along the Overberg shoreline. 
Horse riding - Arrange to ride in the Klein River Mountain or through the "fynbos" flowers. African Horse Company at 082-667-9232. 
River cruise - Whether you want to go on a sunset or birding cruise, have a braai (barbeque) on a boat or rent a canoe to explore on your own, it's all there. You may be fortunate and see a Cape Clawless Otter. A seal has also recently been spotted in the river. Platanna River Cruises at 084-583-5389 for excellent birding cruises. 
Walking - Strolling along the 3km walking trail within Stanford (along the Klein River) first thing in the morning or just before the sun sets is guaranteed to sharpen your appetite when you visit the restaurants in Stanford. A historical walk through the centre of the village, which is a proclaimed heritage site, provides interesting information on the history, architecture and early life in Stanford. Maps of the wandelpad and the historical walk are available at the Tourism Bureau. Other walks can be arranged. 
Fynbos - Follow the Fynbos Ecotourism Route - more info at Overberg.co.za. 
4x4 route - Shannonea 4x4 and Nature Trail. Just 15km east of Stanford. At 850m above sea level you can see the southern most tip of Africa and drive through pristine mountain "fynbos". Christiaan 082-324-1133. 
Klein River Cheese - You can buy high quality cheese for example Gruyere, Leiden, Raclette etc. A piece of Stanford cheese is worth a try. See the cheese vats and the finished product. Order a tasty picnic basket or let the children pet the farm animals. 
Wine country - Raka Wine's Bordeaux, Pinotage, Shiraz and Spliced wines have won numerous international awards. Also visit Springfontein Cellars and many more in the Hemel en Aarde Valley.