Bed & Breakfast
Acorn Cottage
Bed & Breakfast
|
Grahamstown lies at the heart of Frontier Country, making it an ideal base from which to explore this wonderful area. Perhaps the most exciting tourism related happening of the past few years is the expansion of the Greater Addo National Park and the proliferation of Private Game Reserves to compliment our established National Parks. Visitors can now view Great White Sharks and Southern Right Wales as well as the Big Five or walk or cycle among teeming herds of antelope at a number of destinations, all within an hour’s drive of one another. Our Game Reserves are spread amongst all the major habitats allowing visitors to view game in their preferred habitat; from the vibrant Rock and Surf environment to the tranquil River Estuaries, from the ever-changing coastal dunes to the dense, untamed Valley Bush Veldt or from the majestic Mountain Grassland to the wide open plains of the Great Karoo.
Grahamstown information centre details 63 High Street Grahamstown, 6139 Tel +27 (46) 622 3241 Fax +27 (46) 622 3266 Cell 082 776 3633
Historical Tours ALBANY MUSEUM COMPLEX EASTERN STAR GALLERY The History Museum formerly focused on the contribution of the 1820 British Settlers and their descendants to the history of Southern Africa, but it now encompasses all the peoples who live - or have lived - in the Eastern Cape. Its collections cover agricultural equipment, domestic furniture, costume and textiles, ceramics, glass, silver, toys and dolls, militaria, medals, coins, documents and genealogical information relating to the British Settlers. The ethnographic collection focuses on Southern Nguni Peoples and features the traditional dress of the amaXhosa. There is a small art collection of paintings by F T I'ons and T Baines and a classical archaeological collection which emphasises Ancient Egypt and shows a well-preserved mummy. (all times to be
confirmed) The Natural Science Museum is the oldest component of the
Albany Museum Complex with a theme covering natural science and the natural
history of the Eastern Cape. Earth sciences, archaeology, insects, birds,
mammals, and plants are included. Notable items in the collection include a
portion of the Gibeon meteorite, a working Foucault pendulum and a
reconstruction of the first dinosaur discovered in South Africa, stegosaur
paranthodon africanus. Research conducted at the Museum embraces the
earlylife histories of freshwater fishes, water quality and management, wasp
behaviour, late Stone-age and early iron-age peoples and their life-styles.
The Range and Forage Institute operates in the Museum. (all times to be confirmed) Hours :Tuesday - Friday 09h30-13h00,14h00-17h00 This building was originally a 19th Century jeweller's
shop and family home. Its connection with the identification of the Eureka,
South Africa's first authenticated diamond, in 1867, prompted De Beers
Consolidated Mines Limited to purchase the building and restore it in
1981-1982, to commemorate the beginnings of the country's diamond industry.
It was opened on 2 February 1982 by Mr H F Oppenheimer of De Beers, and was
formally presented to the Museum Trustees to become part of the Albany
Museum's Cultural History division. The original owner-designer of the
Observatory, Henry Carter Galpin, was a watchmaker and jeweller who lived in
Grahamstown from 1850 until his death in 1886. His special interests -
optics, astronomy and the measuring of time - are impressively reflected in
this gracious multi-storeyed building. In the topmost tower is the only
Victorian Camera Obscura in the Southern Hemisphere. Through the system of
lenses and mirror in the revolving turret in its roof, this ingenious device
projects an enchanting full colour live panorama of the town and its
activities onto a flat viewing surface in a darkened room. Beneath it,
Galpin built a Meridian Room where he could ascertain the precise time of
local noon - 14 minutes behind South African standard time. The nearby
Telescope Room contains his 8-inch reflector telescope which was initially
installed in the rooftop observatory, from which the house got its name. On
the Victorian Floor, five rooms of fine furnishings recapture the atmosphere
of an upper middle class home of the time. Display panels detail the
award-winning restoration project which returned the building to Galpin's
original plan. The Diamond Story display tells the story of the
identification of South Africa's first authenticate diamond and a full-size
replica of the Eureka diamond is its sparkling focal point. In the basement
a Victorian kitchen and dining room have been restored and a herb garden
adds interest out-of-doors. (all times to be confirmed) Hours : Tours and Transport SPIRITS OF THE PAST - Alan Weyer
Arts and culture Arts and Crafts abound in the Makana area, there are a number of Art galleries in the town, as well as several crafters who produce works ranging from bead work to leathe work. Even outside festival times the area has several cultural events on an ongoing basis be they organ recitals, live music, plays and exhibitions. Crafts made by local crafters can be purchased in Church Square and under the Drosdty Arch. NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
- 30 June - 10 July 2011 SCIFEST AFRICA SciFest Africa, the national science festival, is held annually in Grahamstown in March and aims to promote a culture of science in South Africa in a festive way. The festival started in 1997 and is a project of the Grahamstown Foundation. SciFest Africa continues to grow in size with the 2009 festival boasting over 68 000 visitors.The week-long festival features over 500 events and activities for everybody, no matter their age or profession. The make-science-fun events include popular lectures, interactive exhibitions, workshops, educational theatre, field trips, a soap box derby, laser show, high school quizzes, science olympics, science shows, tours and a filmfest. SciFest Africa is sponsored by Sasol Limited, Old Mutual South Africa, the Department of Science and Technology and SAASTA. For more information, contact the SciFest Africa office: 046 603 1106 or visit their website www.scifest.org.za NATIONAL SCHOOLS FESTIVAL - 04 - 08 July 2010 This annual event is organised by The Grahamstown Foundation. Pupils are given and opportunity to experience a carefully structured programme of Arts and English related activities designed to empower them by developing their skills of communication, and by encouraging them to nurture and explore their own creative potential. To find out more about this exciting festival visit the
official Schools' Festival website
http://www.foundation.org.za/schoolsfest/ GRAHAMSTOWN FLOWER FESTIVAL 23 - 24 October 2010 The Grahamstown Flower Festival , under the auspices of the of the Albany Horticultural and Lillium Society, The Grahamstown Garden and Home Club. the Botanical Society and Pam Golding Properties will offer and exciting programme consisting of a flower competition, garden stalls, a Spring School of workshops, a garden competition, visits to open stately homes and gardens, a Tea Garden and picnic hampers and music and entertainment for the whole family. For more information contact Sharon Richner
Grahamstown boasts some of the finest schools, colleges, universities and educational institutions to be found in South Africa Rhodes University -
Where Leaders Learn
Founded in 1874 by Bishop Nathaniel Merriman, DSG is one of the oldest girls' schools in the country. Situated in spacious grounds in Grahamstown, its campus adjoins its brother school, St Andrew's College. ST ANDREW'S COLLEGE Founded in 1855, St Andrew’s College in Grahamstown is an innovative independent school that embraces new frontiers. This premium Anglican boarding school caters for 450 pupils from across the globe. GRAEME COLLEGE
Food and entertainment Gino's Italian Restaurant and Take-Aways 137 High Street, Grahamstown
e-mail : acorn.cottage.bnb@gmail.com
|
