Somerset East
This editions' suggestion as a quaint stop over on your way to the Cape is Somerset East. Yes,
there is another Somerset and this one is on the beautiful Blue Crane route in the Eastern Cape.
This handsome town was founded by Lord Charles Somerset in 1825, and has the most
beautiful museum and the hunting cabin of Lord Charles himself in Oak Avenue.
Somerset East, at the foot of the Boschberg Mountains is
famous for the natural beauty as it is for its many beautiful
provincial heritage sites, al of them buildings. The forested,
mountainous backdrop creates a dramatic setting for the
town which is within sight of 16 waterfal s. This is where
you'l find the thickly wooded Boschberg Nature Reserve
Amongst the many noteworthy buildings in the town are
the Old Wesleyan Chapel, which now houses the
Somerset East Museum, and the officers' mess, which now
houses the largest col ection of paintings by the renowned
South African artist Walter Battiss.
Annual events include the Biltong Festival, the
Bruintjieshoogte Marathon, Bruintjieshoogte Cycle Tour
(run between Pearston & Somerset East) and the Spring
Rose & Flower show - Somerset East is known to produce
some of the finest roses and ostrich meat in the country.
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