Stock/Game farm in Somerset East with irrigation. This 580ha farm has it all. 45ha centre pivot irrigation and 16ha drag line irrigation, all gravity fed. There is another 8ha pivot and 8.5ha under flood irrigation. Total of 78ha under irrigation. The veld consist of some of the best rooigrass, themeda triandra, veld, ideal for cattle and sheep. The hills host lots of Kudu as well as Impala, Springbok and other small game. There is a huge 4 bedroom house and beautiful garden, double garage store rooms, shearing shed and 6 staff houses. On the fringes of South Africa's Karoo in the malaria free Eastern Cape lies an interesting, attractive and historic little town which invariably charms all who visit it. Located as it is, a short distance from the N10 main highway between Port Elizabeth and South Africa's interior as well as being on one of the main routes to Graaff-Reinet, Somerset East is both a convenient and a natural place to stop over. Those who do stop here will not be disappointed. The town is picturesque, friendly and, being also quiet with little traffic, is easy to walk around. For those who are interested in history, the town owes much of its early years to the British military and settlers as well as the Afrikaners who were farming the area prior to the arrival of the British. This history can be explored both in the town and the surrounding area. (The controversial Slagtersnek rebellion took place in the district). Many of the town's houses and buildings reflect this heritage with lots of houses still standing which date from the early 1800's. A walk down Paulet Street alone is almost like a trip into the past. The countryside around the town is quite varied with impressive mountains, rich farmland, forest and open Karoo veld, all within a short drive of the town. There is a fine variety of accommodation in Somerset East and its surrounds, ranging from the luxurious to budget. Visitors can choose among hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self catering establishments.
Thuyspunt is a rocky stretch of coast approximately 12 km WNW of Cape St Francis, west of Thysbaai beach and SE of Oyster Bay (Oesterbaai), a small coastal village, and Humansdorp, an administrative and industrial town servicing the Kouga region and rich farming area. Thuyspunt (Thyspunt) has become a significant area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa as it has been identified by the South African electricity company, Eskom, as the site for a future nuclear reactor. The Nuclear Power Station will, without doubt, substantially boost the economic growth of the surrounding areas. Other nearby villages and towns set to benefit are:
St Francis Bay a coastal village, situated about 18kms SSW of Humansdorp, has a unique canal system, building style and access to the Kromme River. It has attracted both national and international investors for years. Luxurious holiday and permanent homes are testament to its popularity. Vacant land and up-market apartments at Port St Francis are also appealing options Golfers come from far and wide to play on the local St Francis Bay Golf Course and the challenging St Francis Links where homeowners experience exclusivity, security and clubhouse facilities. A variety of other sporting facilities are available in the Village. Notable for surfers, it is the home of the famous Bruce's Beauties.
Cape St Francis, a five-minute drive away with its historical lighthouse built in 1878, has a magnificent beach and residential properties are also popular for holidaymakers and permanent homes. Nature trails crisscross the area giving much pleasure to those who love the indigenous fynbos and rocky coastline.
Jeffrey's Bay, another coastal town, is famous for the Billabong Surfing Competition and enthusiastic champions and locals turn up regularly to experience the super tubes for which the area is known. Modern shopping malls service the area and there is a demand for townhouse developments.- Translate
Size
580.00
Size Type
Ha
Schools
Somerset East - Busy Bee Pre- School WG Oliver Primary School Saint Teresa's RC Primary School Gill College
Vicinity
The first settler in this area was a man called Willem Prinsloo. He settled under the Bosberg, very close to where the Museum is today. Prinsloo was the unofficial veld cornet of the district where at least 20 other families had settled by 1774. They send a famous petition to Cape Town asking for the establishment of a Drostdy and a church in the area. This was how Graaff-Reinet came to be established. Somerset East - At some stage Prinsloo gave up parts of his farm and a farmer called Otto moved into the corner now known as Bestershoek. The Trichardt family followed, as well as the Besters. Lord Charles Somerset, taking up the ideas promulgated by Cradock and Caledon that there should be a settlement on the Eastern Frontier, initiated a plan for an experimental farm in the area. American botanist, dr. Mackrill, was given orders to find a suitable farm, and was told to look at three places, the Gamtoos Valley, the Swartkops Valley and Bosberg, which he naturally chose.
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Property for sale (real estate) in Somerset East Some useful information regarding Somerset East located in Eastern Cape
Focus on Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Picture peaceful streets lined with oak trees, white-washed settler cottages, and heritage roses; all lying in the benign shadow of the Boschberg Mountain.
This mountain, considered by early travellers to be the most beautiful in Southern Africa, is decked with waterfalls, pristine streams; and forests of Yellowwood, Wild Olive and Cape Chestnut among the eighty plus indigenous tree species which grow on the slopes.
A circular two day hike with an overnight hut with a view to die for wends through this natural paradise, as well as many shorter walks.
As well as a wealth of flora, the mountain is home to many species of buck, and close to a hundred bird species, including the Knysna Lourie, the Booted Eagle and the Crowned Eagle. Comparisons have been drawn between this habitat and the Tsitsikama forests.
Established as a farm to grow fodder and food for the army by Lord Charles Somerset, and proclaimed a town, named after him, in 1825, Somerset East is now the hub of a rich wool, mohair and ostrich farming area. Many of the farms also operate as game farms, offering hunting, adventure holidays, and game viewing.
Activities and Attractions
Fly Fishing
Waters controlled by Bankberg Troutfishers Club boast some of the best trout fishing in the country, both still water and river fishing where insect life of naturally hatching mayfly and caddisflies ensure good quality fish. With 5 still waters in picturesque surroundings and the Naudes river, you could well find yourself being the only one on the water for the day.
The Naudes river boasts a 90m waterfall with both Brown and Rainbow trout in the pools below, amongst a national heritage site of indigenous Yellowwood & Wild Olive trees.
The Old Parsonage Museum
Housed in an elegant restored Georgian parsonage, encapsulates the history of the area. A new exhibition staged around the beam on which the Slachters Nek rebels were hung in 1816 gives a sense of immediacy and relevance to this tragic episode of the area’s history, and viewing this makes for a riveting experience.
The Walter Battiss Art Gallery
Housed in the old English officers’ mess which was once a temperance hotel run by the Battiss family, and now contains the largest collection of the grand old master’s work in South Africa. Battiss endowed the works and opened the gallery in 1981, a year before he died.
Paulet Street
The original part of the town, a gracious street with many national monuments, swagged with heritage roses.
The nine hole golf course, on the way to scenic Bestershoek picnic grounds, is said by many to be one of the most beautiful in the country. Bowls, tennis, cricket, running and cycling clubs abound, as do gyms and yoga classes.
Many of the farms offer hiking trails and mountain biking routes. Birds are there to watch and enjoy wherever you go.
Paintball is available for the adventurous, and Sheercliff Adventures a few kilometres out of town offers gorge gliding, rock climbing, and a whole range of extreme sports.
Four libraries cater for the studious, and a gentle stroll or a swift power walk around town will always burn up any extra energy.
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