THIS IS THE SOMERSET EAST WEBSITE, ADMINISTERED BY THE BLUE CRANE TOURISM OFFICE, WHERE YOU WILL FIND ACCURATE, AND REGULARLY UPDATED INFORMATION.  PLEASE READ THE NEWS ABOUT THE WALTER BATTISS ART MUSEUM FURTHER DOWN THE PAGE.

Welcome to Somerset East, this is where you will find all you need to know about Somerset East, as well as Pearston and Cookhouse, together making up the Blue Crane Route. Up to date information about all Somerset East accommodation, B&Bs and self catering, whether luxury, affordable, or somewhere in between, is listed; as well as events, local information, news, history, and what to see and do in this area.  If there is anything else you need to know, contact the Somerset East Tourism office, or send an enquiry via this website. 

On the fringes of South Africa's Karoo in the malaria free Eastern Cape lies the interesting, attractive and historic little town of Somerset East, which invariably charms all who visit it.  The pretty town with its many gardens forms a green oasis, under the iconic Boschberg Mountain.

Located as it is, a short distance from the N10 main highway between Port Elizabeth and South Africa's interior, as well as being on one of the main routes to Graaff-Reinet, Somerset East is both a convenient and a natural place to stop over.

Those who do stop here will not be disappointed.  The town of Somerset East is picturesque, friendly, and quiet, with little traffic, making it easy to explore on foot. You will find restaurants, coffee shops, and places to relax, to suit your needs, in Nojoli Street, the main street of Somerset East.

For those who are interested in history, the town owes much of its early years to the British military and settlers as well as the Afrikaners who were farming the area prior to the arrival of the British.  This history can be explored both in the town and the surrounding area.  (The controversial Slachter's Nek rebellion took place in the district). The Slachter's Nek Exhibition in the Somerset East Museum is of great interest.  Another popular drawcard for the town is the Walter Battiss Art Museum, housing the largest collection of this great artist's work to be found in Africa.  Battiss was a son of Somerset East, and donated an extensive collection of his work to the town in 1981, which is housed in the old Officer's Mess, a building once run as a private hotel by the Battiss family.

Many of Somerset East's houses and buildings reflect this heritage with lots of houses still standing which date from the early 1800's.  A walk down Paulet Street is a trip into the past, especially in November when the many Heritage roses planted in Paulet Street are in full bloom.

The countryside around Somerset East is quite varied with impressive mountains, rich farmland, forest and open Karoo veld, all within a short drive of the town.

There is a fine variety of accommodation in Somerset East and its surrounds, ranging from the luxurious to value for money.  Visitors wanting to find out about the various options will find them all listed on this website; from the various hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, and self catering accommodation, back packers, farm stays and game farms, camping and a caravan park on the banks of the Little Fish River. 

 

PART OF THE COLLECTION HAS BEEN BORROWED FOR A SPECIAL BATTISS EXHIBITION AT THE SUIDOOSTERFEES IN CAPETOWN ON 14TH FEBRUARY - SO SOME OF THE PAINTINGS WILL BE AWAY FOR 2 MONTHS, BUT GAPS HAVE BEEN FILLED BY EXHIBITING  OUR COLLECTION OF FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEMORABILIA. EVEN WITH A SMALLER BATTISS COLLECTION ON VIEW, WE ARE SURE THAT THE WALTER BATTISS ART MUSEUM IS STILL BE A WORTHWHILE  PLACE TO VISIT AND LEARN ABOUT THE LIFE AND WORK OF THIS GRAND OLD MAN OF SOUTH AFRICAN ART, IN HIS HOMETOWN,  30 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH IN 1982