Bedford in the Amatola Region of the Eastern Cape is a vibrant country farming district made up of extensive grasslands that support Angoras, merinos, beef cattle, goats and game.
Settled early, the Bedford area is rich in the history of the 1820 Settlers and Afrikaans trekboers.
Many farms and buildings are of historic interest, such as the Glen Lyden church built in 1828, and “Bezuidenhout’s Cave”, of Slagtersnek fame, both of which lie in the Baviaans River valley.
Bedford is famous for its Garden Festival every October. The fun loving farmers of the area offer great hospitality and the day is filled with visiting the many and varied gardens of the district. From the formal to the park-like or the specialist gardens of cacti and succulents, you will be sure to find your cup of tea. The Garden Festival is a touring adventure. With a comprehensive map you will discover stunning scenery on quiet country roads, visiting open gardens en route. Choose from masses of home-grown plants and gardening necessities, meander through the craft stalls at The Country Fair and stock up on locally-produced pantry-fillers in the Food Market.
Hunting also supports the local economy, and Mark Whitehead and his wife Tracey own and run Mark Whitehead Safaris on the ranch Olivewoods. Mark has a passion for the fauna and flora of the region, and he has successfully rehabilitated the vegetation and re-introduced impala, steenbok, springbok, hartebeest, wildebeest, blesbok and Zebra, to name a few. They accommodate rifle, bow and black powder hunters.
There is also an abundance of birdlife in the Bedford district with 257 species on the current bird list.
