About Somerset East
HISTORY
The first settler in this area was a man called Willem Prinsloo. He settled under the Bosberg, very close to where the Museum is today. Prinsloo was the unofficial veld cornet of the district where at least 20 other families had settled by 1774. They send a famous petition to Cape Town asking for the establishment of a Drostdy and a church in the area. This was how Graaff-Reinet came to be established.
At some stage Prinsloo gave up parts of his farm and a farmer called Otto moved into the corner now known as Bestershoek. The Trichardt family followed, as well as the Besters.
Lord Charles Somerset, taking up the ideas promulgated by Cradock and Caledon that there should be a settlement on the Eastern Frontier, initiated a plan for an experimental farm in the area. American botanist, dr. Mackrill, was given orders to find a suitable farm, and was told to look at three places, the Gamtoos Valley, the Swartkops Valley and Bosberg, which he naturally chose.
The farm was established in 1815, for the purpose of improving stockbreeding in the Cape Colony and providing produce for the soldiers at the Frontier. It was called "Somerset Farm".
Ten years later, in 1825, the project was cancelled, a new Drostdy was declared, and the town of Somerset was established. The "East" was only added on 30 years later.
GENERAL INFORMATION
In Somerset East you can find:
Oak
Trees and Pretty Gardens
Spectacular
Hikes and Walks
Fresh
Water Fishing
Hunting
Safaris
Walter
Battiss Art Gallery
Tranquility
Fresh
Air
Gracious
Hospitality
Historic
Buildings
Excellent
Schools
Local Energency Numbers:
Police
- 042 243 2233
Ambulance
- 042 243 2222 / 10177
Netcare
911 - 086 110 2282
Doctor
- 042 243 1144
Hospital
- 042 243 1313
Fire
- 042 243 2095
Pharmacy
- 042 243 2002 / 042 243 1881
Electricity
- 042 243 1333
Water
- 042 243 2135
Garage
- 042 243 1103
Recreation:
Clay
Pigeon Shooting
Fresh
Water Fishing (Including Trout)
Birdwatching
Club
Garden
Club
Bestershoek
Resort (Picnics)
11
km Mountain Drive in Reserve
Rock
Climbing
Services:
Multi
Denomination Churches
3
Libraries
Modern
Hospital and Municipal Clinics
10
Schools
Crèches
Surrounds:
Cradock
- 104 km
Addo
- 117 km
Aberdeen
- 159 km
Graaff-Reinet
- 122 km
Grahamstown
- 150 km
Port
Elizabeth - 180 km
Accommodation (see the Accommodation Page):
2
Hotels
Caravan
Park (including camping)
Self-Catering
Chalets
Bed
and Breakfast
Guest
Farms
Hunting
Lodges
Art & Culture:
Walter
Battiss Art Gallery
Somerset
East Museum
Gill
College
National
Monuments
Sport:
Tennis
Karate
Gym
Bowls
Table
Tennis
Squash
Rugby
Cycling
Badminton
Cricket
Road
Running
Soccer
Aerobics
BOSBERG HIKING TRAIL
15km circular trail. Start and finish at Bestershoek at the foot of the Bosberg Mountain.Overnight hut on the top of the mountain sleeps 10.
GAME CAMP TRAILS
Two circular trails through Bosberg Nature Reserve Game Camp: 4 km (3 hours) and 7 km (4½ hours) start and finish at the Bestershoek Resort.
BESTERSHOEK TRAILS
Short, easy trail of 1½ km from Bestershoek dam.
Bosberg Nature Reserve:
2 050 Hectares of varied habitats, from Dohne sourveld in higher region and fynbos rich rock plateaus to thickly wooded kloofs with White Stinkwood and Outeniqua Yellowwood Forests.
Hunting / Safaris:
Many farm play host to hunting parties, mainly in the winter months. Impala, Kudu, Springbok, Nyala, Fallow Deer, Mountain Reedbuck, etc. Also wing shooting.
BRUINTJIESHOOGTE CYCLE TOUR (January)
Contact Francios on 083 452 4125
BRUINTJIESHOOGTE MARATHON (January)
Contact Deon @ 042 2433307
CASTLE LAGER BILTONG FESTIVAL (July)
BOSCHBERG CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT (Oct.)
Contact Leon @ 042 2433993 / 083 597 3009
SPRING ROSE AND FLOWER SHOW (September)
AGRICULTURAL SHOW (September)
For more information, contact the Blue Crane Development Agency @ 042 243 0095.
Where are we?
Somerset East can be found on the R63, between Cookhouse and Pearston, at the foot of the beautiful Bosberg. It is situated only 180km from Port Elizabeth and 104km from Cradock.
