Winburg, Lejweleputswa
Winburg lies just across the Laaispruit River alongside the N1 where it merges with the N5. Hugged by a few little koppies and shrub trees, the town is described by its residents as something of a ghost town, with little to recommend it other than a few memorials and the dilapidated remnants of the stone huts that housed the areas very first inhabitants.
The first town to emerge in what today is known as the Free State, and thus in theory an historical village worthy of further scrutiny, Winburg was built on land exchanged for a few head of cattle. It remains a predominantly farming community (between here and Senekal there are fields of sunflowers in season, usually around Febuary and March), frequented by local farmers who come into town to use the banks, local shops and petrol stations.
There are a couple of reasons to take the turnoff into town. The Fords historic hotel has a dining hall used by the Voortrekkers, the cemetery in town is the oldest Voortrekker cemetery in the country, and the Dutch Reformed Church is built out of sandstone and particularly beautiful. There is a Garden of Rememberance, and a Voortrekker Monument in town too.
But do not expect to find a coffee shop or other touristy attractions. A detour through Winburg is principally to assuage your thirst for historical monuments and old buildings.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Heimat Guest House Two
Heimat Guest House offers accommodation in Welkom in beautifully furnished guest rooms, each with a queen-size bed, a work desk, and their own en...
Marli All in One
Marli Guest House is situated along the main street of Welkom, a town that means welcome and proudly claims its youth status as South Africa's yo...
Louvre Guesthouse
The Louvre Guest House offers Bothaville accommodation in fourteen rooms and is close to many scenic attractions such as the Erfenis Dam Nature R...
Modern Goldfields Apartments
Situated in Virginia, Goldfields Apartments offers comfortable accommodation for up to 12 guests in four rooms. Here you are able to enjoy nature...
Rietkuil Farm Cottage
Rietkuil Farm Cottage is a third generation working cattle, sheep and maize farm. The farm is only 2 hours' drive from Johannesburg and is ideal ...
Monarch House
Monarch House offers accommodation situated in Riebeeckstad, Welkom. This guest house is ideal for guests looking for a long stay or those in lar...
Uitsig Boutique Hotel
Uitsig Boutique Hotel boasts accommodation with an iconic Cape Dutch, Morgenster style, gable which is one of only two such gables in South Afric...
51 on Church Guesthouse
51 on Church Guesthouse offers comfortable, stylish, clean, safe overnight accommodation in Welkom for family or business travellers. The Guestho...
Lemon Rose Guest House
Lemon Rose Guest House offers affordable, elegant bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in Virginia. The property is close to nearby ...
Things to do in the area
Bell's Pass Hiking Trail
Start: just outside of Winburg on Bell's PassFinish: back where you startedDuration: 18 km over two days, or two separate day hikes Fitness: mode...
Noteworthy attractions
Sandveld Nature Reserve
Regarded as the Free State’s top birding spot, Sandveld Nature Reserve lies on the Free State side of the Bloemhof Dam roughly 200 kilometres nor...
Willem Pretorius Game Reserve
The Willem Pretorius Game Reserve is situated in the heart of the Free State with the Allemanskraal Dam forming the central part. The reserve its...
Oppenheimer Park Golf Club
The challenging and well-manicured course, with its profusion of magnificent tall trees lining the fairways, is on the outskirts of the gold-mini...
Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve
The Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve lies in the central Free State between Theunissen (probably the town most central to the Free State) and Winburg, ...
Find accommodation in Winburg
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