Nieu Bethesda, a village at the foot of the Kompasberg, 50km from Graaff-Reinet. Time has stood still here and visitors can wander through the gravel streets in safety, enjoying the peace & quiet of this unique village.
It is here that you will find the famous Owl House, created by Helen Martins and made famous by Athol Fugard in the film ‘The Road to Mecca’. This museum is visited by more than 15 000 tourists a year, and is the best example of outsider art in the country.
Make sure you don’t miss the Bethesda Arts Centre, a vibrant arts project in the heart of the village. Visit the working studios and beautiful gallery, stop for a coffee, and catch a starlit performance in the Centre’s open-air theatre. This inspiring project works to uplift the local township community. The Arts Centre also runs the annual Nieu Bethesda Lantern Parade on New Year’s Eve. Watch the magical celebration as several hundred lanterns pass under a velvety black sky or join a lantern-making workshop and take part in the parade.
You can enjoy drinks and good food in coffee shops, restaurants and pubs, and stay over in a large variety of B&B’s, self-catering units and working guest farms.
Enjoy the old world atmosphere while listening to the water in the water furrows or on a guided donkey cart trip through the village.
