Ladismith

Description

Ladismith is a flourishing agricultural centre in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape. Nestled beneath the Towerkop Mountain Peak on the famous Route 62, Ladismith boasts fertile, irrigated valleys that harvest excellent produce, including wines, fruits, and cheeses. Characterised by rolling green hills, valleys, and vineyards, Ladismith offers a quiet escape in the countryside. Browse our range of Ladismith accommodation.

Ladismith, not to be confused with the KwaZulu-Natal town of Ladysmith, is named after Lady Juana Maria de los Dolores de Leon, the wife of Governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith. The original Ladysmith was changed to Ladismith in 1879 to avoid confusion.

Today, Ladismith is a prosperous farming community. It boasts an ideal climate for the production of quality fruit such as peaches, plums, nectarines, and grapes, as well as milk, wine, flowers, and mutton. Ladismith produces a third of South Africa’s apricots! In addition to fruit, Ladismith is also famous for its two cheese factories: Ladismith Cheese Factory and Parmalat.

Ladismith is situated on the Little Karoo Wine Route, which produces dry and fortified wines such as South Africa’s champion Muscadel, pot-stilled brandies, and a variety of premium red and white wines. The famous Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, runs through the Little Karoo and includes the 16 members of this wine route. Wine cellars to visit in Ladismith include Hillock Wines and the Ladismith Cellar which is open for cellar tours and wine tasting during the week.

Nature lovers will enjoy trips to the Anysberg Nature Reserve, which offers fascinating wildlife and some of the most striking scenery in the Karoo; Aquila Nature Reserve, named after the Black Eagle found in the area; Bontebok National Park, providing a refuge for the bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest, and grey rhebok; Towerkop- Nature Reserve; and Gamkapoort Nature Reserve.

Ladismith’s rich history is still evident today. There are a number of churches, including the Lutheran church and parsonage, the Dutch Reformed Church designed by Otto Hager, and the Otto Hager Church which serves as the local Tourism Bureau. Ladismith is unique in that it boasts its own “Ladismith” style of architecture that has evolved from the mixture of several styles including Victorian, Neo-gothic, Edwardian, Cape Dutch Revival, Regency, and Karoo Rural.

Other activities to enjoy in Ladismith include hiking, mountain biking, 4x4 rides, adventure canoeing, kloof swimming, abseiling, browsing art galleries, cheese tasting, and relaxing in the healing waters of the nearby Warmwaterberg Spa.

Experience all that Ladismith has to offer by booking a stay at one of the accommodations in the area.