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.
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

Goedvertrou Guest Farm
The Traveller’s Cottage at Goedvertrou Guest Farm offers self catering accommodation on a working dairy farm. The cottage sleeps six adults and t...

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...

The Stanford Hotel
The perfect weekend destination, Stanford is a delightful historic village a mere 90 minutes from Cape Town. The Klein River is one of Stanford’s...


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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Tranquility Cottage
Set in a gentle and quiet garden with large established trees, Tranquility Cottage is a perfect get away from busy city life. The cottage has lar...

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...

Goodwill Mountain Farm
Goodwill Mountain Farm offers self catering accommodation in two restored farm labourers cottages. Both cottages have a comfortable lounge area, ...

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 ...

Dragonfly Country Cottage
Dragonfly Country Cottage accommodates five guests in a two bedroom cottage situated in Stanford. Here guests are able to make use of the fresh v...

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...

Stanford Hills Cottages
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...

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 View
Stanford View is a comfortable guesthouse in Stanford, at the foot of the Klein Rivier mountains. The property provides accommodation that is loc...

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

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

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...

Pinot Noir Cottage
Pinot Noir Cottage offers self catering accommodation just 1.4kms outside the village of Stanford. The cottage sleeps up to four guests in two be...

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

Spookhuis Cottages
Surrounded by Milkwood trees, fynbos gardens and abundant bird life, four lovely stone cottages are available on the Mosaic Reserve. Accommodatio...

Villa di Baia
Situated atop a hill overlooking Walker Bay and onto Hangklip and Cape Point in the far distance, this magnificent Mediterranean villa offers lux...
Things to do in the area

Graze - Slow food cafe
Stanford locals Tabby Robertshaw and Alex Chouler own and run Graze; a delightful Italian slow food cafe tucked behind an unassuming entrance, in...

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...

Quad Bike Tour at Mosaic Sanctuary
Staying overnight in Stanford gives visitors to the Cape Overberg the perfect opportunity to explore the prettiness of the Western Cape. Although...

Stanford Evening Market
Too busy to make it to market during the day? Now you can enjoy a trip to the market in the evening! Visit the Stanford Evening Market at the Sta...
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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