The Eastern Cape’s own ‘English Village’ is situated 15 km from Port Alfred on the Grahamstown road. The town was founded in 1820 and has various historical attractions. It was originally intended to become the administrative centre for the large contingent of over 4000 British Settlers of 1820, but for various reasons this did not happen, and instead Grahamstown became the important town for the Settlers. Named after Lord Bathurst, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies at the time, Bathurst today is the principal town for a large pineapple, chicory and cattle farming district.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Grahamstown 45 km, Port Alfred 15 km. halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London and 165 km from each along the R72

Altitude: 300 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 700 mm

Average Temperature: Max 27°c, Min 14°c

Dams

Sarel, Hayward Dam

Mountains

None, just gentle hills

Rivers: Kowie

HISTORICAL VIEW

Bathurst is the site of the oldest unaltered/

Anglican Church

In South Africa

Bathurst Agricultural Museum

Large collection of more than 1300 historical and unique agricultural items. A small entry fee is charged.

Bradshaw’s Mill

National Monument, home of the wool industry in South Africa. Built by Settler Samual Bradshaw in 1821, this water driven wool mill has a working, reconstructed water wheel. By 1825 wool from the Settlers’ sheep was being used to make a coarse cloth. In 1835, the third storey was added and corn milling began. Not used after 1870. Now restored. Small entry fee, daily. Custodian will turn on water wheel for visitors.

Morley House

Built in 1828 by Thomas Hatley. One of the stone-built houses which survived the looting during the 6^th Frontier War (1834), Jeremiah Goldswain lived in it, and so did Henry Hartley, the big game hunter who founded Hartley’s in Zimbabwe. Restored in 1981. Not open to view.

Pig and Whistle Hotel

National monument, built in 1831 by Thomas Hartley, a blacksmith who came from Notthinghamshire with the 1820 Settlers. It suffered some looting in the Frontier Wars, Jeremiah Goldswain bought it in 1852 and added accommodation on the corner where Hartley’s forge had stood. Known previously as the ‘Bathurst Inn’, legend has it that it was nicknamed the ‘Pig and Whistle’ by men of the nearby 43 Air School during the Second World War. There is a strong case for calling it the oldest inn in South Africa.

Powder Magazine

A stone structure with a domed ceiling, once part of a large military post, and thought to be the oldest building in Bathurst (1821).

SAAF Association Garden of Remembrance and Impala Memorial

Five kilometers from Port Alfred turn left, 1 km. Located on a World War airfield, now a private flying school, this is the only existing memorial to those who died while training at SAAF / RAF training stations on the South African coast during the Second World War. Wall with name plaques, as well as a magnificent Impala Mk1 aircraft on a three metre high column.

St John’s Anglican Church

Half kilometer from the Pig and Whistle. National Monument. Oldest unaltered Anglican church in South Africa. A sanctuary for hundreds of Settlers during the Frontier Wars of 1834, 1846 and 1851. First service held on 1 January 1838. Jeremiah Goldswain quarried the stone for the porch. In the vestibule is a piece of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation carpet from Westminister Abbey. Look for little ‘church mouse’ on west wall.

The Toposcope

2,7 km beyond the Pig & Whistle. National monument. Marks the spot where the 1820 British Settlers’ small holdings were surveyed; 57 bronze plaques record the details of the settlement. On a clear day you can see as far as the Great Fish River and Kwaaihoek. The stones in the wall are taken from ruins of original Settler homes.

Wesleyan Chapel

National Monument. Built by Samuel Bradshaw, and opened in 1832. Besieged during the Frontier Wars. Jeremiah Goldswain’s family bible is on display. Collect the key from the Pig & Whistle.

NATURE

The Waters Meeting Nature Reserve

Is a great attraction for bird lovers, and offers a number of hiking trails. Accommodation facilities are limited to a basic camp site for hikers and a hut for use by visitors on the canoe trail.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Bathurst Show

Agricultural, commerce and entertainment at the Bathurst Showgrounds – April

Bathurst Ox-Braai

Huge braai with music, about 5000 people, dusk to dawn – 29 December

Bathurst Agricultural Museum Farm Day

Bathurst Showgrounds – September

Curiosity Shoppe

Collectables, objects d’art, kitchenalia, coins and old world memorabilia. Sweet Shoppe. Home weaving and produce, pottery on the premises, hand printed T-shirts etc.

Horseshoe Bend

Look out from hilltop in reserve 5 km from the Pig & Whistle, outstanding view of bush-covered valley where the Kowie River loops in a horse shoe. Another 3 km down the steep winding road is the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve. Picnic under the trees at the water’s edge, or walk upriver to the Sarel Hayward Dam and climb the dam wall. Take binoculars to view the fish eagles.

Summerhill – Home of the Big Pineapple

Biggest pineapple in the world. Videos of pineapple growing and Xhosa customs. Trailer tours of pine lands, including a Xhosa village. Part of an 1820 Settler farm, it’s 1825 barn now houses a rustic pub and charming restaurant. Also coffee shop, gifts, refreshments, pineapple products. Mini farm, pony rides, play area. Conferences and bed & breakfast accommodation

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

There are several picnic spots, hiking and nature trails along the river

Bird Watching

The Waters Meeting Nature Reserve is a great attractions for bird lover

Accommodation in and around Bathurst