The tranquil village of Stanford is situated along the fertile banks of the Klein River approximately 90 minute's drive time from Cape Town and 15 minutes from Hermanus.  More than 150 years old, Stanford is steeped in history with several beautifully restored historical buildings throughout the village including the Anglican and Dutch Reformed churches amongst many others.

Several award winning vineyards can be found in the valley and along the fertile river banks alongside impressive ventures like the Birkenhead Micro Brewery and the Klein River Cheese Farm where you can savour several of their cheeses before buying.

Things To Do In Stanford

• Bird watching
  Stanford in known to be a bird watchers paradise (over 400 bird species) as is Oak Grove Farm.  The river banks are famous in the early morning for spotting your favourite birds not forgetting Fairhill Private Nature Reserve.
• Fishing - fresh water and surf and sea
• Hiking
  Hiking at Oak Grove Farm or in any of the surrounding Nature Reserves is a must when visiting.  The area abounds in the finest fynbos which stretches in a multicoloured carpet as far as the eye can see.
• Historical Landmarks
  

Anglican Church
(cnr Longmarket/Morton Sts)
These buildings reverted from a mission school to an Anglican Church in 1872 and was granted permission to perform weddings from 1892. The hall beside the church was meant to be the minister's residence, but was used for Sunday School and for very strict education classes for Anglican children.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

Bachelor's Hope
(19 Morton St)
The house was first built as a town house ("tuishuis") by Pieter Erwee around 1902. In the 1930's it was known as Bachelor's Hope because the lady teachers lived there and many a local bachelor found his wife there.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

Duminy's Shop & Home
(23 Church St)
The building was built by Jaap Swaney and changed hands many times. The last shop owner was Hendrik Duminy who owned it through the last World War and until the 1960's. It became a well known landmark.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

Dutch Reformed Church
(cnr Queen Victoria/Church Streets)
The church building was completed in 1926 at a cost of £12 000, which included the building, organ, clock and pews. The old church building became the church hall and was later demolished and replaced in the 1960's by the present hall. The church, tower, clock and organ were recently restored at a cost of over R200 000.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

First Farm House at Klein River Valley Farm
(12 Church St) It was built by Christoffel Brandt circa 1785. The Parbly's, Stanford's and the Moore's also lived there while each owned the farm. After going through many owners it was converted into a shop and was named Ons Winkel, during that time the valuable timber from the ceilings were removed.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0048

First Police Station
(20 Church St) This was the original police station, courtroom and home of the police chief. The prison cells are still at the back of the building. It is now a private home
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

First Post Office
(13 Morton St)
The same Mr Goetz was the post master and the post office was housed in a building behind his home and school.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

Full Gospel Church
(cnr Queen Victoria/Bezuidenhout Sts)
This church building was erected in 1940 by the brothers Philip and Daan du Toit. It has always served more than one church denomination.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

Market Square
(between Short-/Longmarket Sts) Ox-wagons were outspanned here during Communion Services (Nagmaal) in the early days. It is one of the few remaining market squares left undeveloped in South Africa. It is still used as a common for community and sports events. The Stanford Heritage Festival is held here on the last Saturday in October annually.
Tel: +27 (0) 29 341 0340

Okkie Smuts School
(17 Church St)
The three front rooms were built in 1910 The headmaster, Mr Hofstede, lived in one of the rooms. The wings were built in the 1920's and the other buildings added at a later stage.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

Old Graveyard
(Cnr Queen Victoria/Moore Sts.)
The site for this graveyard was chosen by the earliest owners of the Klein River Valley farm. Legend has it that one of the owners, probably Parlby, wanted to see his beloved's grave from the farm house's balcony. Hester Parlby's was one of the earliest graves and Phillipus De Bruyn, the village of Stanford's founder, was also laid to rest here.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

Oulap School - First School
(13 Morton St)
Circa 1870. Mr James Goetz was the first teacher and he ran a school at his home. The children had to pay one penny (an "oulap") a day to attend. The school became known as the "Oulap School".
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0340

Stanford House
(20 Queen Victoria St)
Formerly known as "Die Langhuis". It is thought that originally it was one of the farm sheds on the original farm, but was converted into a house around 1903. Today it is a prestigious hotel with a beautifully equipped conference centre.
Tel: +27  (0) 28 3410300

• Horse Riding

African Horse Company (Oude Molen Stables)
Scenic horse rides and trails
Tel: +27 (0) 82 667 9232

• Nature Reserves

Walker Bay Nature Reserve
Walker Bay Nature Reserve lies on the south-western Cape coast, just east of Hermanus. The reserve comprises five coastal areas lying between Hermanus and Die Dam near Struisbaai. The largest area, known as Walker Bay, stretches from the Klein River estuary to De Kelders at Gansbaai.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Fernkloof Nature Reserve covers 1800 ha in the Kleinrivier Mountains above Hermanus and ranges in altitude from sea level to 842 m. In late 1957, the Reserve was proclaimed by the Provincial Council of the Cape. It protects coastal and fynbos and a small patch of evergreen forest. Parts of the coastal area including the Cliff Path Nature Area, the Mossel River valley and the area from De Mond to Kettle Point, including the mouth of the Vogelgat River and part of the Klein River lagoon have recently been incorporated in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

• Shopping

Stanford is a shoppers paradise with a multitude of speciality shops including fabulous antique shops where you're sure to pick up a treasure.

New Junk Shop (ex Long street Cape Town)
Architectural & Light Fittings, Victorian & Oriental deco, old clocks & watches, kitchenalia, enamels, old tins, old toys, dolls, teddies, old comics, dinkeys, jewellery, brass, copperware, metal & pewter, silver & silver plate.... and much more!
Tel: + 27 (0) 28 341 0797

Domaine du Cap
Indulge your senses amongst the tastefully decorated delights of this chaming and stylish 'French inspired home decor' botique.
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0439

Stanford Galleries & Art Cafe
Serious art and serious coffee!
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0591

Traderoots
An employment creation sewing project producing homeware items from traditional shwe-shwe fabric. Also serving delicious coffee and home baked cakes.
Tel: +27 (0) 84 643 4504

• River Cruises

African Queen
River cruises on Klein River. Can accommodate up to 40 persons. (min 20 required per trip) Toilet & Braai facilties on board. Catering available by arrangement. Bookings essential
Tel: 082 732 1284

Platanna River Cruises
Come to Stanford for a two-hour excursion on Platanna, our river boat skippered by Janice (also our birding expert). Relax and quaff something cool, swim, watch birds-whilst cruising through a bright morning or a lazy afternoon. Alternatively, try a sundowner run on our beautiful river. (min 1-3, max 12 persons)
Tel: +27 084 583 5389

River Rat Boat Cruise & Kayak/Canoe Hire
Can accommodate up to 12 persons. (min 5 required per trip). Toilet & Braai facilities on board. Trips tailored to suit client's schedule and requests. 'Two-man' Kayaks & Canoes for hire.
Tel: 083 3100 952

• Wine & Beer

Birkenhead Brewery Tours and Tasting
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0183

Boschriver Wine Estate
Award winning single vineyard Shiraz. since 2003 Boschriver shiraz has always been under the top 10 in South Africa. Group bookings welcome. Tasting & Sales. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-1pm. 17km along the R326 from Stanford.
Tel: +27 (0) 23 347  3313

Brunia Walker Bay Wines
+27 (0) 28 341 0432

Jacksons Wines
Situated at Stanford Hills
Weltevrede Farm
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0841

RAKA Wine
Situated on the R326 +- 17 km from Stanford
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0676

Robert Stanford Estate Wines
Tel: +27 (0) 28 341 0441

Springfontein Wine Farm
Situated along the road to the Walker Bay Nature Reserve (5km from Standford)
Tel: +27 28 (0) 341 0651