Pearston, Karoo Heartland
Head across the great expanse of the Camdeboo from Graaff-Reinet, along Route 63 in the direction of Somerset East, in company with the Karoo Mountains, and you reach the little Karoo village of Pearston.
That its name is irrevocably linked to the pear is no mistake, for before the town built its Dutch Reformed Church its people would gather under a pear tree on Casper Lötter's farm, where they waited for a pastor to ride all the way from Somerset East to preach to them.
This, however, is only half the story. The minister who preached the people of Pearston (that was not yet called Pearston), was called John Pears. He travelled from Somerset East, covering miles by horse-drawn cart, to preach not only to the crowd under the pear tree, but other towns in the vicinity as well.
Whether it was the pear tree, or John Pears, after whom the town was named is debatable. That they were both pears seems to have had rather a lot of bearing on the subject.
Pearston lies in what is known as the Karoo Heartland. It is a small town with a main road still called Voortrekker Street which, at first glance, does not seem much more than a dilapidated general dealer, Afrika hair salon, and the odd tin-roofed Victorian-style Karoo dwelling.
However, its church that stands alone on the plains of the Camdeboo behind a gate that leads directly to its wooden door, is a wonderful building; a fine example of Karoo Gothic architecture, with a significant steeple (perhaps not as high as that in Aberdeen, but no less compelling).
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Kransplaas
Kransplaas offers accommodation in the heart of the Great Karoo, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This working farm is located 18 km from the...
Komani Resorts
Komani Resorts offers sixteen double en-suite rooms, a Deluxe room and a Suite. Each room has a seating area, a TV with selected DStv, Wi-Fi, air...
Magic Hills Ilanga Manor House
Situated in the heart of the reserve, Magic Hills Ilanga Manor House offers Karoo Heartland accommodation in typical Cape Dutch style. Like an oa...
Karoo Pred-A-Tours
We can accommodate a maximum of 17 guests. The thatched rondavel complex can sleep a maximum of seven people in three rondavels each with their o...
Tranquil House B&B @ 121 Berry St
Tranquil House B&B @ 121 Berry St provides accommodation in two rooms. The establishment has a lovely garden, parking and a braai area. The spaci...
Sanctuary Guest & Adventure Farm
Sanctuary Guest & Adventure Farm is located on the Great Fish River bank. There are shared braai facilities, tea / coffee making facilities, a mi...
Garden Court Guest House
Located in Queenstown, Garden Court Guest House offers guests exceptional hospitality and a choice of comfortable accommodation in Queenstown. Gu...
Cypress Cottages
Both cottages are of beautiful early 1800's Cape Dutch style and are under-stately decorated with a highly developed sense of taste for the natur...
Glen Harry Game Reserve
Glen Harry Game Reserve is for those who wish to take a step back in time to a natural world without the madding crowd, noise, light and air poll...
Things to do in the area
Walter Battiss Art Museum
Your Somerset East accommodation is right on the doorstep of pretty landscapes and some unusual Eastern Cape attractions. The Walter Battiss Art ...
Noteworthy attractions
Valley Of Desolation
The Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon; a sheer cliff face, declared a national monument that lies within the Camdeboo National Park...
Camdeboo National Park
Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park prov...
Graaff-Reinet Golf Club
This 9 hole golf course with 18 tee-boxes is situated 5 km outside of the town of Graaff-Reinet on the Aberdeen Road. Facilities at Graaff-Reinet...
Mountain Zebra National Park
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and has become an entrancing preserve ...
Tsolwana Game Reserve
Nestled against the northern slopes of the Winterberg Mountain range at the edge of the Karoo, Tsolwana Game Reserve lies between Cradock and Que...
Obesa Cacti Nursery
In the heart of Graaf Reinet lies a totally unexpected surprise in the form of a nursery, which might just as well be called a garden as a wander...
Fonteinbos Nature Reserve
Deep within the Karoo Heartland, along the Kraai River banks, lies the 1 500 hectares of the Fonteinbos Nature Reserve. This reserve, just outsid...
Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve
The Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve is characterised by semi-arid vegetation. This is made up of scrubby bush, cycads, acacias, aloes and stretc...
Scar of Grootkloof
Mountain Zebra National Park lies in amongst the Bankberg Mountains and a series of undulating hills just outside Cradock in the Karoo. This area...
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