Founded 16 years ago, the annual Bedford Country Gardens is an Eastern Cape midlands lifestyle experience that has visitors returning again and again for a dose of down-to-earth country fun. For three days gardenistas and nature-loving families explore country roads, linger in lovely farm gardens and discover soul-mates. The hosts are on hand ready to swap ideas on how to bloom were you are planted (as the saying goes), hundreds of kms from the nearest garden centre.
The routes straddle mountain and grassland biomes and traverse a number of game farms. The variety of birds and trees is eye-popping (checklists of both are posted on this website). This is prime terrain for hiking, trail running and mountain bikes.
Open farm gardens offer refreshments; some serve light lunches and a couple set aside spots for picnickers.
In Bedford village, there are more open gardens, The SA Rosarium, plant nurseries, lots of shopping, live music, warm hospitality and the scrumptious food the region is known for. Art, quilts, photography, funky scarecrows and floral arrangements pop up all over.
Small group walks around the old part of town are led by Bedford’s local history enthusiasts. Early morning birding excursions take visitors into the pristine mountain forest which forms Bedford’s backdrop.
More information: https://www.bedford.co.za/page/garden_festival_landing
Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/BedfordGardenFestival/
Start Date: TBC
End Date: TBC
E-mail: bedfordgardenfestival@gmail.com
