Fun things to do in Free State

The Sandstone Steam Rail Company has been established by a consortium of overseas and local investors to restore steam trains for tourist travel along the historic Bethlehem-Bloemfontein Rail road.

The company runs local excursions along the main route and side excursions along branch lines to destinations such as Maseru and Ladybrand, as well as developing ancillary tourist facilities along the routes. Excursions are of relatively short duration, with frequent stops to allow passengers to enjoy the scenery and facilities along the route. The company is working with other preservation groups and National Steam Safari operators to include the Eastern Free State line in their overall program.

Visit a granary at a farm. Especially interesting for the kids!

I went to a coupel when at school... on geography tours! We were taken right up to the top of the granary and told to look down... it is a little scaery in that you know if you fall into a granary you will suffocate very soon.

The tours are totally safe though of course!

The farms to often have other activities for the kids to do... a little cafe and restaurant often, and perhaps some horses and ponies to ride. All good fun and educational too!

Wynford Farm – we have been here twice, it is family-run and has a variety of facilities and accommodation on offer, from converted stables to stone rondavels.

They offer horseback riding, putt putt/mini golf, tennis and many more things, aside from the guided hiking tours they do into the surrounding mountains.

Special points to remember?

On one of our walks we were following the river that runs along the border of Lesotho. Across the valley there were shepherds, Lesotho men with grey blankets and woven hats on. They were calling across to us for money.

Brings home how fortunate we are, was a sobering time indeed.

Something else I enjoyed was their piano and reading room. They have an impressive library, and they allow their guests to freely take books to read as they please.

In the library area there is a piano, where one can sit and tinker. On a Sunday morning, the owner of the farm (who is a Christian), plays a few hymns and does a reading for fellow guests who would like to join him.

In another room next door is a television. Interestingly though, not many people watch the television. There are far more interesting things to do here than watch telly!

I have more details re Wynford Farm on my South Africa accommodation page

Drive through the Eastern Highlands, the area that borders the country of Lesotho.

My husband has always had a passion for collecting Lesotho hats. They are triangular in height and circular in width, and come in varying bright colours.

We saw plenty of them - I bought a couple, but cant show them here as they are in storage in South Africa, and they are just lovely.

Creative, intricate and cultural.

The photo is not related to this, is merely an example of African pattern.

This is an interesting little town, especially if you are artistically inclined.

It has several galleries, studios and art & craft shops. The galleries range from ethnic, local art... to contemporary and modern. The craft is varying too, with lots of local stuff... wooden, beaded and leather craft etc... and then some other as well. But mostly local.

I really enjoy it here!

My husband was posted near here in his army days, and has many fond memories of this town... perhaps less from other towns close by though.

Deneysville has been dubbed the "inland water mecca of South Africa". Built around the Vaal Dam . Deneysville is a small, rural village providing visitors access to vast water surfaces of the dam. The town is also known as the Highveld's inland sea and the yachting mecca .

Gallery Girard&Tiley-DENEYSVILLE

promotes local art and craft of the Vaal triangle as well as well-known SA artists

The Riemland Wine Route, and eco-tourism retreat is the initiative of a group of landowners in the Riemland region in the Northern Free State. It includes the signing of agreements with three leading Boland cellars to open bulk sales outlets at two registered conservancies. The wine route runs between the Boland Cellar trading as Francolin Creek Cellar on the farm Dipkraal to Louisenhof Cellar trading as Goedehoop Cellar on the farm Goedehoop. These Free State wine cellars are accommodated in renovated and isolated barns according to wine cellar standards and requirements. The total wine route covers approximately 50 km and can easily be visited during a one-day visit.

After the battle at Roodewal, Lord Roberts realized that he had to counteract the operations of De Wet. With this in mind he ordered a drive on the Boer forces, which were operating in the Eastern Free State. The Brandwater basin is a geographical region in the Eastern Free State, which offered the Boers the chance to regroup. Lt Gen A Hunter happed 4 000 Boer fighters in the basin and forced them or surrender. The loss was a severe blow to the Boers in general, but it also had a positive outcome as the most hardy Boers were decided to fight to the bitter end. Casualties and prisoners : Boer 4 300; British 275.