Pearston (original) (raw)
Pearston, Karoo Heartland
Head across the great expanse of the Camdeboo from Graaff-Reinet, along Route 63 in the direction of Somerset East, in company with the Karoo Mountains, and you reach the little Karoo village of Pearston.
That its name is irrevocably linked to the pear is no mistake, for before the town built its Dutch Reformed Church its people would gather under a pear tree on Casper L�tter's farm, where they waited for a pastor to ride all the way from Somerset East to preach to them.
This, however, is only half the story. The minister who preached the people of Pearston (that was not yet called Pearston), was called John Pears. He travelled from Somerset East, covering miles by horse-drawn cart, to preach not only to the crowd under the pear tree, but other towns in the vicinity as well.
Whether it was the pear tree, or John Pears, after whom the town was named is debatable. That they were both pears seems to have had rather a lot of bearing on the subject.
Pearston lies in what is known as the Karoo Heartland. It is a small town with a main road still called Voortrekker Street which, at first glance, does not seem much more than a dilapidated general dealer, Afrika hair salon, and the odd tin-roofed Victorian-style Karoo dwelling.
However, its church that stands alone on the plains of the Camdeboo behind a gate that leads directly to its wooden door, is a wonderful building; a fine example of Karoo Gothic architecture, with a significant steeple (perhaps not as high as that in Aberdeen, but no less compelling).
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Self Catering
The Poplars
The Poplars is a traditional Karoo farmhouse found in the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve. This is the ideal place for a large group or family looking f...
Self Catering
Mukti
Mukti is a lovingly curated self-catering Karoo heritage home, ideal for those seeking solitude and luxury, set in the tranquil village of Nieu-B...
Hotel
The Gamtoos Ferry Hotel
The Gamtoos Ferry Hotel can accommodate a total of twelve guests and is located 15km from Jeffreys Bay on the Sunshine coast, Eastern Cape. The h...
Self Catering
Amberdale Estate
Amberdale Estate provides a serene escape with self-catering accommodations in Amberdale, near Komani in the Eastern Cape. Ideal for both busines...
Self Catering
Roode Bloem House
Roode Bloem Farm House is a quiet and secluded house situated just nine minutes from the centre of Graaff Reinet. This is is a convenient place t...
Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering
The Forecourt B&B
Situated in Dordrecht, The Forecourt offers comfortable accommodation in a unique and historical setting. Choose between B&B accommodation or a s...
Bed & Breakfast
Albert House B&B
Albert House B&B offers accommodation in six en-suite rooms, five of which have garden entrances. Each room has a television with Cable TV, micro...
Guest House
Garden Court Guest House
Located in Queenstown, Garden Court Guest House offers guests exceptional hospitality and a choice of comfortable accommodation in Queenstown. Gu...
Guest House / Self Catering
Furrows Lodge
Furrows Lodge is situated in Nieu-Bethesda and offers quality Karoo Heartland accommodation for guests looking for a peaceful breakaway, business...
Things to do in the area
Museums
Walter Battiss Art Museum
Your Somerset East accommodation is right on the doorstep of pretty landscapes and some unusual Eastern Cape attractions. The Walter Battiss Art ...
Noteworthy attractions
Natural Wonders
Valley Of Desolation
The Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon; a sheer cliff face, declared a national monument that lies within the Camdeboo National Park...
Natural Wonders
Camdeboo National Park
Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park prov...
Golf Courses
Graaff-Reinet Golf Club
This 9 hole golf course with 18 tee-boxes is situated 5 km outside of the town of Graaff-Reinet on the Aberdeen Road. Facilities at Graaff-Reinet...
National Parks
Mountain Zebra National Park
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and has become an entrancing preserve ...
Game Reserves
Tsolwana Game Reserve
Nestled against the northern slopes of the Winterberg Mountain range at the edge of the Karoo, Tsolwana Game Reserve lies between Cradock and Que...
Botanical Gardens
Obesa Cacti Nursery
In the heart of Graaf Reinet lies a totally unexpected surprise in the form of a nursery, which might just as well be called a garden as a wander...
Nature Reserves
Fonteinbos Nature Reserve
Deep within the Karoo Heartland, along the Kraai River banks, lies the 1 500 hectares of the Fonteinbos Nature Reserve. This reserve, just outsid...
Nature Reserves
Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve
The Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve is characterised by semi-arid vegetation. This is made up of scrubby bush, cycads, acacias, aloes and stretc...
Miscellaneous
Scar of Grootkloof
Mountain Zebra National Park lies in amongst the Bankberg Mountains and a series of undulating hills just outside Cradock in the Karoo. This area...
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