Stanford, Cape Overberg
Some of the lovely bed and breakfasts and fine hotels offering accommodation in Stanford showcase the natural beauty of the Cape Overberg, and are wonderful bases for visitors that want to explore South Africa. The unique little village of Stanford, overlooked by the moody slopes of the Klein River Mountains, lies just inland of False Bay, forming the tip of a triangle with the coastal towns of Hermanus and De Kelders.
Peaceful and largely unaffected by change, Stanford is an eclectic mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and coffee shops, and the list of activities for a largely rural village exceeds one's expectations. Like many of the Overberg towns, Stanford originated as a farm, de Kleine Riviers Valey (the original spelling), and the tree-lined streets today, filled with historical buildings, are testimony to the largely English influence that makes Stanford the third most historically important village in the Western Cape.
Two of the ‘must do's', when in Stanford are the Birkenhead Brewery, a boutique brewery open for beer tasting and lunches, and the Stanford Walking Trail, which wends its way along the banks of the Klein River through the town and offers visitors some wonderful glimpses of the many birds in the area, including the endangered Blue Crane, South Africa's national bird.
Stanford now has a number of vineyards and more appear to be emerging every year and the local Klein River Dairy's cheese shop offers some mouth watering options including a local Gruyere, one of the few made in South Africa.
The Salmonsdam Nature reserve is only 15 km away and offers 50 km of hiking trails through some beautiful examples of Cape fynbos. De Kelders and Gansbaai are exciting destinations if you want to watch Southern Right whales and Great White sharks, and the Walker Bay Nature Reserve borders the Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary protected area offering a choice of superb land-based whale watching within natural fynbos of the area.
Additional Reading
- Visit Stanford Village a delightful, historic village found in the Cape Overberg, a mere 90 minutes from Cape Town
- Stanford things to do for a perfect country weekend
- Stanford Valley - Time out in the company of mountains
- A long weekend in Stanford
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
We spent a wonderful weekend in Stanford - the perfect mix of art galleries, antique shops, quaint cafes and pretty village cottages and gardens. We love the scent of the spring flowers and lavender as we wandered the country lanes. Stanford is definitely a must visit village.
Helen (Cape Town)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Rivergate Carpenters Cottage
Carpenters Cottage is an open plan cottage located on Rivergate Guest Farm, a working farm on the banks of the Klein River, just 2,3km from Stanf...

Milk and Honey
Beloftebos Milk and Honey offers Stanford accommodation amongst fruit trees and huge old oaks. The last permanent resident, Old George, was the s...

The Manor at Stanford Hills
The Manor is a 4-bedroom holiday home in Stanford, an original old farmhouse, steeped in history. It has a wonderful outside area with barbeque f...

Rivers End Farm
Rivers End Farm is a lovely cabin located on a farm in Stanford. The uniqueness of the farm is the wetlands in front of the cabin and the 160 hec...

The Black Eagle Bus
The uniqueness of the farm is the wetlands in front of the cabin and the 160 hectares of uninterrupted fynbos with views for days at the back, a ...

The Little Farmhouse
Located on a farm in Stanford and oozing plenty of country character, the Little Farmhouse is a quaint hidden gem. Sleeping six and ideal for a s...

Starboard Boathouse at Coot Club
Starboard Boathouse has two bedrooms. An open plan lounge, dining and kitchen with vaulted ceiling adds to the airy and spacious charm that flows...

Blue House
The Blue House is a spacious Victorian cottage perfectly positioned in the historic core of Stanford. The stylish cottage exudes country chic wit...

Stanford Hills Estate
Stanford Hills Estate is found near the quaint village of Stanford, which is situated on the banks of the Klein River. This village is almost two...

Willowdale Farm Cottages
Willowdale Farm Cottages is a working sheep farm with a small indigenous tree nursery. There is Standford self catering in the form of restored a...

Casa d'Italo Bungalow
Casa d'Italo Bungalow has two bedrooms furnished with a King-size bed or twin beds. The en-suite bathrooms are fitted with a shower, toilet and b...

Casa d'Italo House
At Casa d'Italo guests can enjoy the glorious night skies, with more stars that you've seen in a long time, ideal to escape, relax and unwind. Th...

Sylvia Cottage
Sylvia Cottage offers comfort and self-contained convenience for 4-5 guests. There is a comfortable lounge with a fireplace. The kitchenette is e...

Blue Gum Country Estate
Blue Gum Country Estate is hidden in a valley that ascends towards the small town of Stanford, just outside Hermanus. The estate is a working win...

Protea Chalet
Protea Cottage @ Phillipskop offers Stanford accommodation in the Phillipskop Mountain Reserve. The nature reserve is 10 minutes past Stanford an...

Vineyard Villa Two
Vineyard Villa 2 offers self-catering accommodation in Stanford at the Stanford Hills Estate on the banks of the Klein River. The village is only...

Mosaic Lagoon Lodge
A popular guest retreat and 1000 HA conservation reserve on the Hermanus Lagoon, bordering the pristine Whale Coast Walker Bay Beach. Our seclude...

Rivergate Gatehouse Cottage
Gatehouse Cottage is located on Rivergate Guest Farm, a working farm on the banks of the Klein River, just 2,3km from Stanford. The farm offers S...

Goodluck Farmhouse
Nestled quietly in Stanford, just an easy 1.5-hour drive from Cape Town, Goodluck Farmhouse invites you to unwind in its peaceful embrace. Only 1...

Coppull Private Nature Reserve
Located just 4.7 km from Stanford village, Coppull Private Nature Reserve offers accommodations with stunning mountain views. Guests can enjoy ex...

Goodluck Garden Cottage
The Garden Cottage is a charming retreat, perfect for a family of four. Tucked away in the heart of the homestead, it offers accommodation with p...

Rivergate Gardeners Cottage
Gardeners Cottage is an open plan cottage located on Rivergate Guest Farm, a working farm on the banks of the Klein River, just 2,3km from Stanfo...

Brunia Cottage
Brunia Cottage is an old labourers cottage in Stanford that has been restored to offer comfort and self-contained convenience. The first bedroom ...

Erica Chalet
Erica Cottage @ Phillipskop offers Stanford accommodation in the Phillipskop Mountain Reserve. The nature reserve is 10 minutes past Stanford on ...

Beloftebos Farm Cottages
Beloftebos Farm Cottages offers self catering accommodation on Paardenberg Farm just outside the quaint village of Stanford. e offer four separat...

Stanford Valley Country Lodge
Stanford Valley Country Lodge is nestled in the valley of the Klein Rivier, 10km outside of Stanford village. We offer comfortable accommodation ...

Lobelia Chalet
Lobelia Cottage @ Phillipskop offers Stanford accommodation in the Phillipskop Mountain Reserve. The cottage is surrounded by beautiful natural v...

Fairhill Nature Reserve
Fairhill is a self catering guest house that sleeps 10 people and is rented out as a unit. Treat yourself to a unique fynbos experience in the he...

Lawns at Coot Club
Lawns Cottage offers Stanford accommodation set along one-and-a-half kilometres of unspoilt shoreline and 1000 acres of indigenous fynbos and str...

Rivergate Potters Shed Cottage
Potters Shed Cottage is located on Rivergate Guest Farm, a working farm on the banks of the Klein River, just 2,3km from Stanford. The farm offer...

Rivergate Woodrose Cottage
Woodrose Cottage is a unique round cottage located on Rivergate Guest Farm, a working farm on the banks of the Klein River, just 2,3km from Stanf...

40 On Longmarket
40 On Longmarket is a cottage in Stanford that has had interior walls removed and the ceiling opened to create a double volume, airy, light space...

Rivergate Dairy Shed
Dairy Shed is an open plan cottage located on Rivergate Guest Farm, a working farm on the banks of the Klein River, just 2,3km from Stanford. The...

Phillipskop Mountain Reserve
Choose from five separate, spacious self catering cottages. Each fully equipped cottage can sleep six people in three bedrooms. The main bedroom ...

Oaktree Estate
Escape to Oaktree Estate in Stanford, nestled in the heart of the Western Cape. Here, you'll discover the perfect combination of luxury and tranq...

Groenvy Farmhouse
Beloftebos Groenvy Farmhouse offers Stanford accommodation in a country style and is the ideal place for a family gathering. Whether your sense o...

Vineyard Cottage
Vineyard Cottage at Goodluck Homestead is a stunning, off-grid eco cottage situated on a working regenerative farm. Perfect for a couple's getawa...

White Water Farm
Escape to historic White Water Farm where guests will find a welcoming rural haven with magnificent mountain scenery in the Kleinriver Valley nea...

Issey118 Heritage Cottage
Issey118 is one of the treasured heritage cottages offering accommodation in Stanford. There is a sunny open plan living area with comfortable se...

The Ark Holiday Home
The Ark is an intriguing house, aptly named, reminds one of Noah's Ark. It nestles amongst giant trees in a wooded garden a few steps away from t...

AfriCamps at Stanford Hills
AfriCamps at Stanford Hills boasts boutique tents, all situated overlooking the dam on the foothill of the Klein River Mountain range. From here ...

Waterblom @ Stanford Valley
Waterblom can be found on the Guest Farm nestled in the valley of the Klein Rivier, 10km outside Stanford village. Outside there is a deck with s...

Light Cottage
For rest and renewal come and stay in Stanford at our cottage on the hill, Beloftebos Light Cottage. Overlooking a dam, Light Cottage offers pano...

Bellavista Country Place
Bellavista Country Place offers luxury bed & breakfast accommodation just, 8km from the quaint Stanford village. We offer five beautifully decora...

Port Boathouse at Coot Club
Port Boathouse has three bedrooms. An open plan lounge, dining and kitchen with vaulted ceiling adds to the airy and spacious charm that flows se...

Perivoli Lagoon House
Perivoli Lagoon House is set in a stunning, isolated, 140ha wilderness of colourful Fynbos biome, a stone's throw from the Klein River lagoon wit...

White Water Farmhouse
White Water Farmhouse dates back to 1846 and offers accommodation in Stanford on a working farm. We offer guests a welcoming rural haven with mag...

Rivergate Stable Cottage
Stable Cottage is located on Rivergate Guest Farm, a working farm on the banks of the Klein River, just 2,3km from Stanford. The farm offers acco...

Lavenders Blue
Lavenders Blue is a romantic thatched cottage nestled in an established garden amongst mature mango, avocado, lemon and guava trees. The secluded...

Blue Gum Villa
The Villa @ Blue Gum offers accommodation in Stanford on a working wine estate. The delightful Country Estate, nestled among ancient Blue Gum tre...

Laughing Waters Farm
Laughing Waters Farm is a tranquil working farm in the Sondagskloof, inviting visitors to enjoy characterful accommodation and to experience uniq...

Restio Chalet
Restio Cottage @ Phillipskop offers Stanford accommodation in the Phillipskop Mountain Reserve. The cottage is surrounded by beautiful natural ve...

Vineyard Villa One
Vineyard Villa 1 offers self-catering accommodation in Stanford at the Stanford Hills Estate on the banks of the Klein River. The village is only...

Walkerbay Dunes Lodge
Situated in the heart of the famous Walkerbay Nature Reserve, with views stretching over Stanford hills, Hermanus and Gansbaai mountains, Walkerb...
Things to do in the area

Mebel Stanford
Located in the beautiful country town of Stanford not far from Gansbaai and Hermanus and 145km from Cape Town, Mebel Warehouse is situated in the...

Field & Tedder Wonderful Things
There is just no missing the blue house on Stanford's main Queen Victoria Street with an original 1930's petrol pump parked outside (fully restor...

Robert Stanford Antiques
The oldest existing antique store is Robert Stanford Antiques, located at no.14 Church Street.The building itself is one of the oldest known buil...

Stanford Saturday Morning Market
On Saturday mornings, the courtyard alongside Stanford Art Café on Stanford's main road, Queen Victoria Street, fills up with locals selling fres...

Birkenhead Brewery
As the first brewing estate in the Southern Hemisphere, we run a small but growing micro brewery situated in the Western Cape of South Africa. We...

Cruise up the Klein River in Stanford
Come and enjoy yourself and relax on a wonderful cruise up the Klein River. Come enjoy the birds, the tranquility and be mesmerized as our beauti...

Guided Horse Trails in Stanford
We offer are rides ranging from 1 hour to three days. Being based in Stanford, gives access to the Kleinrivier mountains, the river, the coastlin...

Kayaking at Mosaic Sanctuary
From the shores of Mosaic, launch yourself among a myriad of water birds on the lagoon. Explore the mouth of the lagoon where it meets the ocean ...

Klein River Cheese
Visitors to the farm can enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the banks of the tranquil Klein River or in the garden. For children, there is an exte...
Noteworthy attractions

Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Lying within the southern extension of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range about 90 kilometres south-east of Cape Town and 8 kilometres from Kl...

Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden lies in the epicentre (heart) of the Cape fynbos region - a dedication to this natural shrubland vege...

Hermanus Whale Crier
Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast has its very own whale crier, and, what's more, Hermanus lays claim to the only whale crier in the world. The po...

Hermanus Beaches
Where? +/-2 hours drive from Cape Town on the south coast of the Cape. Includes: Onrus Beach, Grotto Beach, Kammabaai and Langbaai Beach. Go ther...

Hermanus Hiking Trails
While most visitors to Hermanus have many things to do on their itinerary, most involving the whales that have made this town famous, there are m...

Hermanus Golf Club
The course doesn't only challenge however, you are rewarded, hole after hole, with panoramic views that overlook the sparkling ocean and adding t...

Agulhas National Park
Lying in what is known as the Agulhas Plain at the southernmost tip of Africa is the Agulhas National Park, just 45 kilometres from the popular v...

Marloth Nature Reserve
Lying just three kilometres from the pretty little town of Swellendam, the Marloth Nature Reserve conserves the central Langeberg Mountains that ...

De Hoop Nature Reserve
The De Hoop Nature Reserve is approximately 34 000 ha in size and one of the largest natural areas managed by Cape Nature Conservation. It is a f...
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