Bedford, South Africa
Where Country Charm Meets Vibrant Living
Tucked against the breathtaking Kaggaberg mountain, Bedford is a gem of the Eastern Cape, a place where life is lived with heart, humour, and a deep love for the land. Famous for our Bedford Country Gardens (held every October/November), we’re known for fun-loving farmers, fabulous hospitality, and landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Here, historic charm meets wide-open spaces. Rolling grasslands and dramatic valleys—Mankazana, Cowie, and Baviaans River—are home to Angoras, Merinos, beef cattle, goats, and game.
What's happening in Bedford?
Don't miss the 2025 Bedford Country Gardens on
31 Oct - 2 Nov 2025 and 7 - 9 Nov 2025
Bedford – The Heartbeat of the Countryside.
Stay in Bedford
Where Comfort Meets Country Charm
Stay a Night, Love it for Life.
Would love to be part of the action?
We are on Instagram
When you come and visit the Bedford Country Gardens, don`t forget to make a stop at the Rosarium.
The Rosarium preserves South Africa’s heritage roses.
Horticulturist Gwen Fagan documented the history of these old roses, tracing their journey from the time of Jan van Riebeeck in 1657 to the arrival of hybrid tea roses in 1910(which is fascinating, we think).
Many original rose rootstocks were brought over by the 1820 British Settlers and survived in farms and graveyards due to the area`s harsh climate and lack of nurseries.
In 2011, the South African Heritage Rose Society established a sanctuary at Bedford’s Camelot Arboretum, where over 2,000 roses flourish among indigenous plants, filling the garden with fragrance and history.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 ##bedfordcountrygardens #Southafricanheritageroses #rosarium #weekendgetaways #roses #heritagaroses #Bedford #easterncape #easterncapetourism
When you come and visit the Bedford Country Gardens, don`t forget to make a stop at the Rosarium.
The Rosarium preserves South Africa’s heritage roses.
Horticulturist Gwen Fagan documented the history of these old roses, tracing their journey from the time of Jan van Riebeeck in 1657 to the arrival of hybrid tea roses in 1910(which is fascinating, we think).
Many original rose rootstocks were brought over by the 1820 British Settlers and survived in farms and graveyards due to the area`s harsh climate and lack of nurseries.
In 2011, the South African Heritage Rose Society established a sanctuary at Bedford’s Camelot Arboretum, where over 2,000 roses flourish among indigenous plants, filling the garden with fragrance and history.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 ##bedfordcountrygardens #Southafricanheritageroses #rosarium #weekendgetaways #roses #heritagaroses #Bedford #easterncape #easterncapetourism
On our Mountain Route, you will discover Fairholt. Lucy and Oggie have created a low maintenance, waterwise garden, featuring indigenous plants and a formal area framed by salt bush, which has a long history of traditional use in the area. Delicate French Panarosa roses are planted along the front of the house. The herb and vegetable gardens are now an extension of the nursery area.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 #opengardenssouthafrica #fairholt
#bedfordeasterncape #opengardens #weekendgetaways #easterncape #easterncapetourism #discoverbedford #deoudefabreeck #thebutcherbird #apprenticedeli #woodstockandwillow #twiggandco #dukeofbedford #hopestreethub
On our Mountain Route, you will discover Fairholt. Lucy and Oggie have created a low maintenance, waterwise garden, featuring indigenous plants and a formal area framed by salt bush, which has a long history of traditional use in the area. Delicate French Panarosa roses are planted along the front of the house. The herb and vegetable gardens are now an extension of the nursery area.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 #opengardenssouthafrica #fairholt
#bedfordeasterncape #opengardens #weekendgetaways #easterncape #easterncapetourism #discoverbedford #deoudefabreeck #thebutcherbird #apprenticedeli #woodstockandwillow #twiggandco #dukeofbedford #hopestreethub
Join us this year at Cavers Country Guest House and be inspired by the beautiful garden Rosie and Ken have created.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens #deoudefabreeck #woodstockandwillow #dukeofbedford #easterncape #gardentime #hopestreethub #theapprenticedeli #weekendgetaways #exploretheeasterncape #explorebedford
Join us this year at Cavers Country Guest House and be inspired by the beautiful garden Rosie and Ken have created.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens #deoudefabreeck #woodstockandwillow #dukeofbedford #easterncape #gardentime #hopestreethub #theapprenticedeli #weekendgetaways #exploretheeasterncape #explorebedford
Exciting Historical Addition to Bedford Country Gardens:
We are delighted to announce a unique addition to this year’s Bedford Country Gardens. For the first weekend only, visitors will have the opportunity to attend captivating historical talks that explore the rich heritage of the area.
These talks will be hosted in the garden at Lynedoch Farm, a historically significant property in the Baviaans River Valley and a beautifully preserved Sir Herbert Baker home. Lynedoch holds deep roots in local history—William Dodds Pringle, brother of the renowned poet Thomas Pringle, settled here in the 1820s.
Guests can look forward to an immersive journey into the past, learning about the 1820 Settlers, the founding of Bedford and surrounding farms, and the pivotal Slagtersnek Rebellion sparked by the death of Hendrik Bezuidenhout in the Baviaans River Valley.
Today, Lynedoch is once again in the care of the Pringle family. Denham and Ruth Pringle, the sixth generation, returned to the farm in 2019 after it passed through two owners following its sale in the 1990s.
We invite you to experience this unique blend of natural beauty and historical depth—an unforgettable highlight of the Bedford Country Gardens weekend.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 #easterncapetourism #bedford #happeninginhopestreet #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #twiggandco #dukeofbedford #gardentime #springouting #Easterncape #deoudefabreeck #theapprenticedeli #opengardenssouthafrica
Exciting Historical Addition to Bedford Country Gardens:
We are delighted to announce a unique addition to this year’s Bedford Country Gardens. For the first weekend only, visitors will have the opportunity to attend captivating historical talks that explore the rich heritage of the area.
These talks will be hosted in the garden at Lynedoch Farm, a historically significant property in the Baviaans River Valley and a beautifully preserved Sir Herbert Baker home. Lynedoch holds deep roots in local history—William Dodds Pringle, brother of the renowned poet Thomas Pringle, settled here in the 1820s.
Guests can look forward to an immersive journey into the past, learning about the 1820 Settlers, the founding of Bedford and surrounding farms, and the pivotal Slagtersnek Rebellion sparked by the death of Hendrik Bezuidenhout in the Baviaans River Valley.
Today, Lynedoch is once again in the care of the Pringle family. Denham and Ruth Pringle, the sixth generation, returned to the farm in 2019 after it passed through two owners following its sale in the 1990s.
We invite you to experience this unique blend of natural beauty and historical depth—an unforgettable highlight of the Bedford Country Gardens weekend.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 #easterncapetourism #bedford #happeninginhopestreet #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #twiggandco #dukeofbedford #gardentime #springouting #Easterncape #deoudefabreeck #theapprenticedeli #opengardenssouthafrica
Eildon is only open on one of the weekends at this years Bedford Country Gardens and is definitely one not to be missed. It is at the top of the Baviaans Route and well worth the scenic drive to get there. Taryn and David have created the most beautiful oasis amongst the Baviaansriver mountains.
@tarynpringle
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #bedford #deoudefabreeck #woodstockandwillow #easterncape #gardentime #easterncapetourism #hopestreethub #eildon
Eildon is only open on one of the weekends at this years Bedford Country Gardens and is definitely one not to be missed. It is at the top of the Baviaans Route and well worth the scenic drive to get there. Taryn and David have created the most beautiful oasis amongst the Baviaansriver mountains.
@tarynpringle
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #bedford #deoudefabreeck #woodstockandwillow #easterncape #gardentime #easterncapetourism #hopestreethub #eildon
This wonder-plant uses carbon to make plant tissue and produce oxygen! It can also be made into a delicious Spekboom chutney.
www.suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za
Spekboom Chutney
By Steenberg Executive Chef Kerry Kilpin
Ingredients:
375ml spekboom leaves – picked off the stems and washed
1 onion chopped
110ml white spirit vinegar
140g sugar
5ml fennel seeds
5ml brown mustard seeds
5ml salt
Method:
Sweat the onions and spices until soft taking care not to turn brown. Add the spekboom and cook for a further 3 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar and salt. Cook for a further 15 – 20 minutes on a low heat or until a nice thick chutney type consistency.
Taste and season further if required.
You will notice that the spekboom releases quite a lot of gooey liquid when cooking. This is quite normal. Pour into a sterilised jar and refrigerate.
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #spekboom #spekboomchutney #opengardenssouthafrica
#easterncape ##easterncapetourism #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow ##twiggandco #deoudefabreeck
This wonder-plant uses carbon to make plant tissue and produce oxygen! It can also be made into a delicious Spekboom chutney.
www.suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za
Spekboom Chutney
By Steenberg Executive Chef Kerry Kilpin
Ingredients:
375ml spekboom leaves – picked off the stems and washed
1 onion chopped
110ml white spirit vinegar
140g sugar
5ml fennel seeds
5ml brown mustard seeds
5ml salt
Method:
Sweat the onions and spices until soft taking care not to turn brown. Add the spekboom and cook for a further 3 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar and salt. Cook for a further 15 – 20 minutes on a low heat or until a nice thick chutney type consistency.
Taste and season further if required.
You will notice that the spekboom releases quite a lot of gooey liquid when cooking. This is quite normal. Pour into a sterilised jar and refrigerate.
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #spekboom #spekboomchutney #opengardenssouthafrica
#easterncape ##easterncapetourism #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow ##twiggandco #deoudefabreeck
RELAX, EXPLORE and ENJOY! Join us for our Bedford Country Gardens weekends.
31st October - 2nd November 2025
7th - 9th November 2025
#bedfordcountrygardens2025
#bedfordeasterncape #lifestyleweekend #exploretheeasterncape #easterncapetourism #opengardenssouthafrica #opengardens #dukeofbedford #deoudefabreeck #woodstockandwillow #twiggandco #thebutcherbird
RELAX, EXPLORE and ENJOY! Join us for our Bedford Country Gardens weekends.
31st October - 2nd November 2025
7th - 9th November 2025
#bedfordcountrygardens2025
#bedfordeasterncape #lifestyleweekend #exploretheeasterncape #easterncapetourism #opengardenssouthafrica #opengardens #dukeofbedford #deoudefabreeck #woodstockandwillow #twiggandco #thebutcherbird
Feast your eyes on this masterpiece of a garden, designed and loved by Liesl and Graham. The Orchards is situated on our Somerset East Route and is not to be missed!
##bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #gardentime #easterncape #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #deoudefabreeck #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow #easterncapetourism
Feast your eyes on this masterpiece of a garden, designed and loved by Liesl and Graham. The Orchards is situated on our Somerset East Route and is not to be missed!
##bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #gardentime #easterncape #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #deoudefabreeck #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow #easterncapetourism
"It`s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." John Wooden, Basketball Coach.
Our gardeners work hard all year around on the little details to bring you the most spectacular gardens. How beautiful are these close ups from our Bedford Country Gardens?
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #gardentime #easterncape #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #deoudefabreeck #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow #easterncapetourism #beesatwork
#flowers #insectsandflowers
"It`s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." John Wooden, Basketball Coach.
Our gardeners work hard all year around on the little details to bring you the most spectacular gardens. How beautiful are these close ups from our Bedford Country Gardens?
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #gardentime #easterncape #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #deoudefabreeck #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow #easterncapetourism #beesatwork
#flowers #insectsandflowers
What does a weekend at the Bedford Country Gardens look like?
The Bedford Country Gardens is a lifetyle weekend that celebrates gardening and our town of Bedford. Our local, talented gardeners have been working all year round to showcase their truly unique,beautiful gardens. Visitors can explore these stunning garden displays and enjoy a weekend of:
● Music and Entertainment
● Food stalls and markets
● Art Exhibitions
● Top-notch Dining Experiences
● Workshops
● Celebrity Garden Talks
● Retail Therapy
Dates: 31st October - 2nd November and 7th - 9th November 2025.
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #gardentime #easterncape #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #deoudefabreeck #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow #easterncapetourism #opengardenssouthafrica #celebratinggardening #bedfordeasterncape
What does a weekend at the Bedford Country Gardens look like?
The Bedford Country Gardens is a lifetyle weekend that celebrates gardening and our town of Bedford. Our local, talented gardeners have been working all year round to showcase their truly unique,beautiful gardens. Visitors can explore these stunning garden displays and enjoy a weekend of:
● Music and Entertainment
● Food stalls and markets
● Art Exhibitions
● Top-notch Dining Experiences
● Workshops
● Celebrity Garden Talks
● Retail Therapy
Dates: 31st October - 2nd November and 7th - 9th November 2025.
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #gardentime #easterncape #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #deoudefabreeck #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow #easterncapetourism #opengardenssouthafrica #celebratinggardening #bedfordeasterncape
How stunning are these arrangements by @cakeatelieramsterdam. We don`t want you to miss out this year, so we will be sending out reminders of the dates.
Bedford Country Gardens will be over two consecutive weekends this year.
31st October- 2nd November
7th November- 9th November
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #gardentime #easterncape #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #deoudefabreeck #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow #easterncapetourism #flowerarrangements #bedfordflowers
How stunning are these arrangements by @cakeatelieramsterdam. We don`t want you to miss out this year, so we will be sending out reminders of the dates.
Bedford Country Gardens will be over two consecutive weekends this year.
31st October- 2nd November
7th November- 9th November
#bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #bedfordcountrygardens2025 #gardentime #easterncape #hopestreethub #woodstockandwillow #deoudefabreeck #dukeofbedford #woodstockandwillow #easterncapetourism #flowerarrangements #bedfordflowers
We have an exciting new garden to explore on our Klipfontein route! Liza and Bertus have created a beautiful, meandering garden with many facets. We can`t wait for you to join us.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 #bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #opengardenssouthafrica #opengardens #dukeofbedford #gardentime #easterncapetourism #easterncape #farmlife #lifestyleweekend #gardensofinstagram #woodstockandwillow #dukeofbedford #apprenticedeli #deoudefabreeck
We have an exciting new garden to explore on our Klipfontein route! Liza and Bertus have created a beautiful, meandering garden with many facets. We can`t wait for you to join us.
#bedfordcountrygardens2025 #bedfordcountrygardens #bedford #opengardenssouthafrica #opengardens #dukeofbedford #gardentime #easterncapetourism #easterncape #farmlife #lifestyleweekend #gardensofinstagram #woodstockandwillow #dukeofbedford #apprenticedeli #deoudefabreeck