visit stanford

Stanford: What’s in a name?

In Stanford we just love uncovering history – whether it’s a building’s architectural past, or something about its tenants, function or its geographical positioning. It comes with being a heritage village – we have a natural curiosity for ‘what was’, a curiosity we so enjoy sharing with visitors and friends of our little part of the Overberg. Let’s take a look at the origins of some of the names of establishments, wineries and natural gems in and around Stanford.


Did you know, Springfontein Wine Estate is named for a natural spring found on the property (responsible for keeping the 25 hectares of vineyards irrigated). Follow them on Instagram here.

Just down the road from Springfontein at Mosaic Private Sanctuary, the 1892 Spookhuis is named for well, yes, being haunted (Spook is the Afrikaans for ghost). Follow them on Instagram here.


Blue Gum Country Estate owes its namesake to a 150-year old Blue Gum on the property. The estates farm roots date back to 1839. Follow them on Instagram here.

Platbos Forest . This ancient forest is named after the Afrikaans word for ‘flat forest or bush’ – when looking down on the property from an elevated road, the forest resembles a “flat green swath of fynbos”. Follow them on Instagram here.

Bodhi Khaya Retreat. A combination of the words enlightenment (or perhaps ‘awakening’ translates closer to the original meaning) coupled with the Zulu word for “home”. Follow them on Instagram here.

White Water Farm. If you think this name dates back to cascading waterfalls, think again. The farm’s chapel is “converted from the old distillery barn, where Witblits (a local liquor like Grappa) used to be made, hence the historic farm’s name – Witwater or White Water.” Follow them on Instagram here.

Bugler’s cottage in the heritage part of the village was one of the original labourer cottages on Sir Robert Stanford’s Farm. Dating back to the early 1860s, it “is the only cottage in Stanford that is still true to its original form, except for internal changes and the addition of a bathroom at the back.”

If you’re looking to supersize your historical knowledge on Stanford, pop into the Tourism Office for a copy of Historical Stanford on Foot (for just R10), then head on to one of our local wine farms and grab a few bottles of their finest, and you’re on your way to being the most interesting person at your next dinner party!

 

 

Cheers to Whales!

The donning of jerseys and thicker socks marks more than the arrival of winter – it’s whale season and we invite you to combine the best of Stanford’s village atmosphere (think Victorian architecture, antique shopping, foodie hot spots, our own wine route, family fun destinations, river activities and outdoor fun) with whale spotting at our neighbours on the coast.

As the only inland destination on the Cape Whale Coast, Stanford’s body of celebrated water is the Klein River, and although you won’t find whales in her depths, Southern Right Whales can be spotted as close as a 20 minute drive from the village.

These magnificent annual visitors usually arrive around June and can stay as late as November, birthing their young and enjoying our warmer coast before heading home to sub-Antarctic waters. As they frolic and splash visitors flock to watch the spectacle, and who can blame them? The sight of a male Southern Right propelling himself out of the ocean and landing back with an almighty splash (called a breach) is a thrilling sight and kids love waving to the whales as a giant flipper waves back – an action known as pec-slapping.

Image and blog cover image via Cape Whale Coast.

Call ahead to local tourism offices like Kleinmond, Hermanus and Gansbaai, and easily reach wherever the whales are lolling and waving from Stanford. Land-based whale watching can be done at Die Plaat (Cape Nature) if you have a 4×4 or willing feet, or book a fatbike ride or Sundowner Beach trip with Mosaic Private Sanctuary. Many of the Stanford guesthouses and the Stanford Tourism office will help to make you a boat-based booking, or even pack you a picnic basket as you set out on your whale watching expedition. You could even pack your own picnic basket with goodies from the Saturday Morning Market, yum!

Stanford Saturday Morning Market Goodies. Image via: Stanford Saturday Morning Market Facebook

For a sure thing, book aerial whale watching with African Wings. For water-based whale watching, Ivanhoe Sea Safaris (from Gansbaai harbour) and Marine Dynamics (Kleinbaai) offer excellent, ethical whale trips, while many boat operators launch from the Hermanus New Harbour.

Last year’s Mammal Research Institute’s survey yielded some amazing results regarding whale numbers along our coastline, nearly three times the amount counted in 2017. With the impressive total between Hawston and Witsand exceeding 1000 (source), it’s good news for the species, which is recovering after heavy hunting in the 1900s.
Map data copyright 2019 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd – Google Maps

After time spent admiring the leviathans of the bay, unwind back in the village with a celebratory meal, beer or glass of wine and join us in saying Cheers to the Whales this winter! Share your adventures with us online #visitstanford. Stay snug and happy whale spotting!

 

Diving into Adventure

Shark Cage Diving and Educational with Marine Dynamics.

 

With Gansbaai only 20 or so kilometers from Stanford, guests to the village can easily combine their country-getaway (complete with delicious fare, nature-inspired activities and award-winning wines) with the high-adrenalin adventure of Shark Cage Diving. Stanford Tourism and Business Manager, Nicky Currie, takes to the high seas to tick off one of her all time favourite bucket list experiences.

 

Hosted by Marine Dynamics, Nicky and fellow Stanfordian, Karla Erwee, prepared for their big day out and walked away with hearts pumping and a treasure trove of facts and information about the gorgeous creatures that call the Gansbaai coastline home.

 

Their day started with a delicious breakfast and coffee at the Great White House while Marine Biologist, Toby, briefed the team on what to expect on the dive, as well as key safety tips. They then headed out from Kleinbaai Harbour on Slashfin, the “coolest boat ever” – built for both work and comfort. After slipping into dry (well not for long) 7mm wetsuits, they prepared for the dive.

“I can honestly say that EVERYTHING that I experienced was flawless. From the moment you walk in through the doors at The Great White House…you feel welcome.”
– Nicky, ST&B

The big blue. Photo: Karla Erwee

Despite reports of killer whales and the dramatic effect they’re having on the presence of Great White Sharks in the Cape, Tourists can rest assured that there’s more to see than just the Great Whites –

 

“The Copper Shark sightings have been amazing and gave visitors memories that will last forever, as well as Sevengill sharks.  With these amazing sightings daily, we are able to still offer our five star trips and change perceptions.  Over the last week we had Great White Shark sightings again, and this morning we saw a beautiful Great White Shark.”
– Gretha, Marine Dynamics

 

Nicky echoed the sentiments of Marine Dynamics –

“Copper Sharks was showing off and I can honestly say that I just cannot get enough of them!… All the tourists on the boat was in awe of these majestic creatures and excitement level was HIGH!”

Photo: Marine Dynamics

Photo: Marine Dynamics

After their dive, the group enjoyed a much-welcomed steamy cup of hot chocolate aboard the boat, and then an awesome surprise, they had time for another dive to take in even more of the natural and graceful beauty of the Copper Sharks before heading back to The Great White House for hot soup, bread, and the chance to watch the video made of their dives (which are also available for purchase for those looking for the ultimate memento of their time with the sharks).

 

“The staff onboard is out of this world.
They are professional, yet fun and highly informative.”
– Nicky, ST&B

 

But the day was not over yet. Marine Dynamic’s Gretha treated Nicky and Karla to an educational at the African Seabird & Penguin Sanctuary in Gansbaai.

The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary is well worth a visit on your next trip to the Cape Whale Coast. Photo: Karla Erwee

Photo: Karla Erwee

“How very special and educational! They are doing so much work for all these animals, it is inspiring to see that there are people putting in such an effort! Marine Dynamics will most definitely see me again and next time, I am taking the family with!”
– Nicky, ST&B

 

A big thank you to Marine Dynamics for an exceptional experience. For visitors looking to follow in Nicky and Karla’s footsteps, pop into the tourism office to learn more about Shark Cage Diving options and tours.

 

(Cover Photo: Marine Dynamics)

Memories of the year gone by

Wow what a year in our little village, the holidays are upon us and there is still so much to see and do in Stanford before the clock strikes midnight and we bid farewell to 2018. For a fun little recap of Stanford life, we thought we’d bring you some Instagram Memories. Capture your own these holidays and remember to tag @visitstanford and #visitstanford #nowherebetterthanstanford so that we can share your experiences with other travellers looking for a country escape. Here’s to even more fantatsic memories in 2019, cheers!

– We celebrated the return of warmer weather with White Water Farm and Don Gelato.

 

– We shared moments of Stanford’s History (we like to think it boosted our IQ a little) with gorgeous images from Annalize Mouton Photography and Mosaic Private Sanctuary.

– Bikers galore showed that they have heart power along with horse power for the annual Overberg Toy Run

– The fit and fearless swam, cycled and ran in this year’s Race2Stanford

– We daydreamed about foodie things a lot (pictured here: Misty Mountain Estate, Zesty Lemon and Ou Meul Bakkery)

– Our members shone in Print (featured: HaesFarm, Springfontein Eats, Stanford Valley Guest Farm, Walker Bay Estate)

– We drank tea and wine and had another great year in Stanford ! (Lion Tea Party hosted by Stanford Tourism in support of Panthera Africa; Springfontein Wine joining the other members of the Stanford Wine Route at the Stanford Sunset Market)