Richmond, Upper Karoo
The little town of Richmond lies nestled next to the N1 between the other typical Northern Cape villages of Hanover and Victoria West. Its residents refer to it not as a destination, but as a way of life, and there is something about the little town that is infinitely attractive.
It lies in the heart of the central Karoo, which its residents like to speak of as the 'world's best developed desert', and is touted as being midway between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
But then at least three towns - Beaufort West, Hanover and even Colesberg - vie for this particular honour. Richmond, however, is both decidedly pretty and surrounded by stunning scenery. It regards itself as something of a backwater town, perfect for townies who want to buy a 'dorp huis' as Gautengers and Capetonians are wont to do in similar towns. It is also one of the only little towns like it in which the market square, and not the church, is the focal point. It also has an imaginative and unusual layout - this isn't your usual square grid town - because it is built upon a river.
Edwardian and Victorian Karoo style houses with romantic verandahs invite you to stay awhile, as indeed a number of people do, either staying in town or on neighbouring farms, for it is the farmers that are the reason for the continued hubub in town - today roughly 30 farmers and their families support Richmond's economy. As do tourists who venture into town off the N1, for the major highway does not flow directly through the town, as it does in Beaufort West, and requires a detour.
There are a couple of restaurants and more than a few options for accommodation, whilst an exciting and increasingly popular annual book festival that now includes a film section called Richmond Filums - produced by the same couple responsible for reviving the Apollo Theatre in nearby Victoria West - draws the crowds.
Additional Reading
For a review on Richmond in the Northern Cape see our article at "You Don't Need To Be A Book Nut To Visit Richmond, But It Helps If You Are".
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
The best gem in the Karoo! Lots to do and see! Stay at Richmond cafe&rooms, what a beautiful place and best restaurant ever! Even on a Sunday things are happening! Well done to all the new comers moving in and trying their best to uplift the old run down town! Beautiful, will definitely return!
Adre-Marie (Worcester)
Verified review
We went to the Horse Museum (its actually a full museum too) and were in awe of the history being collected there. Well worth a visit.
Tony Chicken (Johannesburg)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Be Blessed Self Catering
Be Blessed Self Catering is located in the peaceful town of Richmond, near to the N1, approximately halfway between Cape Town and Gauteng. Our se...
Karoo Manor Guesthouse
Len and Pat are the owners of this old world charm destination in the centre of Richmond in the Karoo. Richmond is a town situated next to the N1...
Seisoen @ Kliphuijs
Seisoen Holiday Home has two bedrooms, both en-suite. The first bedroom is furnished with a King-size bed and he second bedroom is furnished with...
Anra Rusgenot
Anra Rusgenot is guest house situated in Richmond, exactly halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town on the N1, and is ideal for a stopover or l...
Kliphuijs Guest House
Kliphuijs Guest House in Richmond is where guests can relax en-route to their holiday destination or just enjoy a break away from the hustle and ...
Die Bankbestuurder
Die Bankbestuurder is a self-catering apartment the old Volkskas Bank, located in situated in Richmond, exactly halfway between Johannesburg and ...
Three Birds Country House
At Three Birds Country House we offer spacious luxury suites and family rooms. Each room has an en-suite bathroom, a plasma TV with certain DStv ...
Die Kassier
Die Kassier is a self-catering apartment the old Volkskas Bank, located in situated in Richmond, exactly halfway between Johannesburg and Cape To...
Things to do in the area
Visit the Richmond Horse Museum
Housed in what was formerly, in the 1800’s, a school and boarding house, and more recently a cabinet maker’s workshops and residence, is the very...
Vetmuis Plaaskombuis
At the Vetmuis Plaaskombuis a National Heritage Building, and typical Karoo dwelling with thick walls and yellowwood floors, freshly prepared "Ko...
Groenvlei Muishoek MTB Route
This intermediate mountain biking route is set over farm lands and tracks, it is about 18 to 55 kilometers long depending on the route you take. ...
Map - Modern Art Project
The modern art project, more commonly known as Map, was founded by Harrie Siertsema, a patron of the arts, and Abrie Fourie, a well known artist ...
Die Krip Restaurant
Saag and Sumi are the managers of this olde world charm destination in the centre of Richmond in the Upper Karoo, Situated next to the N1 approx...
Noteworthy attractions
Karoo Gariep Conservancy
Karoo is a “quenna” word meaning “dry and hard”. Gariep is also a “quenna” word meaning “big water”or river. The Karoo Gariep Concervancy is foun...
Tankwa Karoo National Park
The 80 000 hectare Tankwa Karoo National Park, proclaimed in 1986 and still in a development stage, is at present in a veld recovery phase and it...
Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
The Free State's largest nature reserve is a combination of the 36 487 ha Gariep Dam on the Orange River and an 11 237 ha game sanctuary on its n...
Akkerendam Nature Reserve
Akkerdam Nature Reserve lies just outside the little town of Calvinia, which is found at the foot of the Hantam Mountain (mountain of the red bul...
Rolfontein Nature Reserve
Situated in the upper Karoo where an infinite sky and horizon seem to go on without end, the Rolfontein Nature Reserve is found roughly 16 kilome...
Doornkloof Nature Reserve
Lying peacefully in the mountainous upper Karoo of the Northern Cape, just outside the little town of Colesberg, Doornkloof Nature Reserve is pos...
Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
Just 10 kilometres outside of the little town of Nieuwoudtville, between the towns of Van Rhynsdorp and Calvinia, lies the Oorlogskloof (war gorg...
Hantam National Botanical Garden
Established in 2007, the Hantam National Botanical Garden lies on the Bokkeveld Plateau just outside the town of Nieuwoudtville. It is regarded a...
Molteno Pass
Said to be South Africa's first mountain pass, Molteno Pass links Beaufort West to Loxton, in effect joining the oldest town in the area to the N...
Find accommodation in Richmond
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