Bedford Garden Festival

About the Bedford Garden Festival

Bedford is noted and takes great pride in it’s beautiful gardens. Roses, many of which are unique to the area, flourish in many a garden. Each year several splendid private gardens located in Bedford and the surrounding district are open to the public during the Annual Bedford Garden Festival.

The festival offers visitors exceptional opportunities to see various botanical varieties at their peak as well as meeting a host of friendly folk and fascinating characters. Spring comes early to this area of the Eastern Cape and October is the prime month for viewing the unique landscaping and the wonderfully-picturesque settings of the extensive farm and town gardens. Of particular interest to avid gardeners are the diverse plantings, both usual and unusual, that give each garden it’s own special characteristics.

Many features include wide herbaceous borders, a large variety of roses [including old or heritage roses], secretive walkways, gazebos, day lilies, water-wise plantings, formal gardens, water features, herbs and so much more.

The gardens will be open to the public from 08h00 to 18h00 on the Friday and Saturday and from 09h00 to 15h00 on Sunday.

The Country Fair
A country fair, with a combination of French/ English and typically South African flair, will be held on the Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Visitors will be able to purchase fine home-made gifts and craft items, jewellery, a range of lavender bath preparations and culinary additives, deli items – cheeses, olives and delicious cakes and preserves – herbs, Heritage roses and a host of other goodies.

Various refreshments and light meals will be available. Non-gardeners [or hungry persons] can enjoy a chat with the locals over a traditional potjie or braai and a cold beer or glass of wine – golfers can enter the Bedford Golf Challenge.

Children too will be adequately catered for in the kiddies playground area - jumping castles and the like.

To avoid disappointment it is advisable to book your accommodation well in advance for this event. Visit the Bedford Accommodation pages to find guest houses, hotels and self catering places to stay and for additional info about Bedford which includes attractions, restaurants and things to do, see Bedford Info.