Bathurst, Eastern Cape
Encyclopedia
Bathurst is about 12 kilometers inland from Port Alfred
, on the R67, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
. Its chief claim to fame is that it was the administrative centre for the 1820 British Settlers
who were established in the district as a buffer between the Cape Colony
and the Xhosa pastoralists who were migrating southwards and westwards along the coast. Bathurst is part of the Ndlambe Local Municipality
in the Cacadu District
of the Eastern Cape.
with the Settlers. Later accommodation was added and it became known as the Bathurst Inn. Legend has it that it was nicknamed "The Pig & Whistle" by the men at the nearby 43 Air School in WWII.
While time has moved slowly in Bathurst, there is an increasing population of artists, academics (Rhodes University
is only 40 km away), and retirees who have chosen to live in this tranquil environment.
below are a list of attractions and places of interest in Bathurst:
Bathurst neighbors the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve, home to many species of animals, bird and plants. The reserve offers hiking trails, picnic spots and a remarkable viewpoint of the river and valley. The surrounding area hosts pineapple farms, game reserves and cattle and sheep ranches. It is a 10 minute drive to the beach town of Port Alfred
and 45 minutes from the cultural mecca of Grahamstown
.
The Horseshoe Bend
and Water's Meeting Reserve: There is an outstanding view of bush covered valleys where the Kowie River loops in a horse shoe. Another 3 km down a steep winding road you can picnic and relax under the trees at the waters edge. Canoe trails and scenic hikes available.
Bradshaw's Mill: Built by the Settler, Samuel Bradshaw in 1821, this water-driven wool mill contains a working water wheel. By 1825 wool from the Settlers sheep was being used to make coarse cloth. In 1835 the 3rd storey was added and corn milling began. It is now restored and is a National Monument
.
Wesleyan Chapel: Built by Samuel Bradshaw and opened in 1832, it was besieged in the Frontier Wars. Houses Jeremiah Goldswain's Family Bible. Services still held every Sunday. It is a National Monument and epitomizes many of the other Wesleyan churches in the rural areas
St John's Anglican Church : Oldest unaltered Anglican church in South Africa
. A sanctuary in the Frontier Wars of 1834, 1846 and 1851 for hundreds of Settlers. 1st service held on the 1st January 1838. Look for the "church mouse" on the west wall!!
Bathurst Agricultural Museum: Discover how the past has influenced the future! Over 1400 items of interest
The Toposcope: This marks the spot where the 1820 British Settlers locations were surveyed. 57 bronze plaques record details of settlements. On a clear day you can see from The Great Fish River
to Kwaaihoek
. The stones in the wall are taken from ruins of original Settler homes.
Port Alfred
Port Alfred is a small town with a population of just under 20,000 in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated on the eastern seaboard of the country at the mouth of the Kowie River, almost exactly half-way between the larger cities of Port Elizabeth and East London and 30 km...
, on the R67, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Its chief claim to fame is that it was the administrative centre for the 1820 British Settlers
1820 Settlers
The 1820 Settlers were several groups or parties of white British colonists settled by the British government and the Cape authorities in the South African Eastern Cape in 1820....
who were established in the district as a buffer between the Cape Colony
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
and the Xhosa pastoralists who were migrating southwards and westwards along the coast. Bathurst is part of the Ndlambe Local Municipality
Ndlambe Local Municipality
Ndlambe Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Cacadu District of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, with its capital at Port Alfred...
in the Cacadu District
Cacadu District Municipality
Cacadu District Municipality is situated in the Western Portion of the Eastern Cape province, covering an area of 58 242 square kilometres. The area of the district municipality includes nine local municipalities and other portions collectively known as the District Management Areas . The seat of...
of the Eastern Cape.
Overview
Many of the original settler houses and other buildings have been preserved, and there remains much of the look and feel of an English village of the early 19th Century. The Pig and Whistle, at the heart of the village, is reputedly the oldest existent pub in the country.Built in 1831 by Thomas Hartley, a blacksmith who came from NottinghamshireNottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
with the Settlers. Later accommodation was added and it became known as the Bathurst Inn. Legend has it that it was nicknamed "The Pig & Whistle" by the men at the nearby 43 Air School in WWII.
While time has moved slowly in Bathurst, there is an increasing population of artists, academics (Rhodes University
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province...
is only 40 km away), and retirees who have chosen to live in this tranquil environment.
below are a list of attractions and places of interest in Bathurst:
Bathurst neighbors the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve, home to many species of animals, bird and plants. The reserve offers hiking trails, picnic spots and a remarkable viewpoint of the river and valley. The surrounding area hosts pineapple farms, game reserves and cattle and sheep ranches. It is a 10 minute drive to the beach town of Port Alfred
Port Alfred
Port Alfred is a small town with a population of just under 20,000 in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated on the eastern seaboard of the country at the mouth of the Kowie River, almost exactly half-way between the larger cities of Port Elizabeth and East London and 30 km...
and 45 minutes from the cultural mecca of Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
.
The Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend
-USA:* Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Alabama, a battle of the Creek War** location of Horseshoe Bend National Military Park* Horseshoe Bend , a meander of the Colorado River in Arizona* Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas* Horseshoe Bend, Idaho...
and Water's Meeting Reserve: There is an outstanding view of bush covered valleys where the Kowie River loops in a horse shoe. Another 3 km down a steep winding road you can picnic and relax under the trees at the waters edge. Canoe trails and scenic hikes available.
Bradshaw's Mill: Built by the Settler, Samuel Bradshaw in 1821, this water-driven wool mill contains a working water wheel. By 1825 wool from the Settlers sheep was being used to make coarse cloth. In 1835 the 3rd storey was added and corn milling began. It is now restored and is a National Monument
National monument
A National monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of national importance such as a war or the country's founding. The term may also refer to a specific monument status, such as a National Heritage Site, which most national monuments are by reason of their cultural...
.
Wesleyan Chapel: Built by Samuel Bradshaw and opened in 1832, it was besieged in the Frontier Wars. Houses Jeremiah Goldswain's Family Bible. Services still held every Sunday. It is a National Monument and epitomizes many of the other Wesleyan churches in the rural areas
St John's Anglican Church : Oldest unaltered Anglican church in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. A sanctuary in the Frontier Wars of 1834, 1846 and 1851 for hundreds of Settlers. 1st service held on the 1st January 1838. Look for the "church mouse" on the west wall!!
Bathurst Agricultural Museum: Discover how the past has influenced the future! Over 1400 items of interest
The Toposcope: This marks the spot where the 1820 British Settlers locations were surveyed. 57 bronze plaques record details of settlements. On a clear day you can see from The Great Fish River
Great Fish River
The Great Fish River is a river running through the South African province of the Eastern Cape, it originates east of Graaff-Reinet and runs through Cradock, just south of this the Tarka River joins it...
to Kwaaihoek
Kwaaihoek
Kwaaihoek is a rocky headland on the coast of Algoa Bay, near Bushman's River Mouth in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is here that the Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias erected the Padrão de São Gregório, his first padrão, or stone cross on 12 March 1488...
. The stones in the wall are taken from ruins of original Settler homes.