Cradock is a popular historical destination and offers a diverse variety of activities and unique attractions.
The town has fine architecture and a number of important and well preserved monuments and museums. The wide fertile plains and surrounding mountains offer many attractions for nature lovers.
White Rose Guest House is situated in Dundas Street which is the second oldest street in a quite suburb of Cradock on route between Johannesburg and Cape Town. We offer guests a warm, friendly atmosphere in a safe environment with parking, excellent service and hospitality.
Our philosophy is to provide a high quality of accommodation and excel in service delivery.
More about Cradock:
Geography:
Situated in the heart of the Central Karoo 240km from Port Elizabeth, Cradock makes for a wonderful stopover along the Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth run.
History:
The town was founded on the banks of the Great Fish River as a stronghold at the end of the Frontier War of 1812, and was named after the Cape Governor, Sir John Cradock. Later on, during the years of apartheid, it was a fertile ground for resistance, and some members of the ANC were based in and around the town. In one of the darker days of the town's history, Cradock made headlines when UDF leader Matthew Goniwe and three men accompanying him were slain by apartheid-era security police in 1985.
Arts and Culture:
There is much in Cradock to keep the culture vulture busy! Olive Schreiner, one of South Africa's most important literary figures lived in Cradock from 1867 to 1870. It was her stay here that inspired her to write "The Story of An African Farm" in 1883. Cradock's biggest attraction, Schreiner House, is dedicated to her life and works, while visitors can view her grave at Buffelskop Peak which overlooks the Great Fish River Valley.
The Dutch Reformed Church on Market Square built in 1867 is a provincial heritage site - and quite a fascinating building as it is a near exact replica of London's St Martin-in-the-Fields. Another place of cultural interest is the Great Fish River Museum housed in an 1849 Dutch Reformed Church parsonage that depicts the early history of the Cape pioneers.
At the town library, bookworms will find some rare items including many Olive Schreiner titles and a second-hand copy of the first edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica of 1869. The oak tree that grows near the supermarket is believed to be one of the world's biggest trees, and is a provincial heritage site.
Science and Nature:
Indigenous succulents and shrubs are preserved in the Karoo Garden which is situated 4,5km outside of town along the Mortimer road. 8km out of town on the Queenstown road is Egg Rock, a 10m high solitary rock shaped like an egg that looks like it'll topple at any time! One of South Africa's favourite game reserves is the Mountain Zebra National Park, home to the mountain zebra, which is one of the world's most endangered species.
The 6,400ha park was set up in 1937 to protect the mountain zebra as initially, after having being severely hunted, the number totalled only six animals! The present population has grown to over 200. Many archaeological sites can be found throughout the park, and most include excellent examples of San rock artwork.
Entertainment:
Visitors can experience the therapeutic properties of natural sulphur spring water at the Spam just outside Cradock. Besides the springs there are picnic and braai areas as well as a children's playground.
The Spa is also the start of two hiking trails, one 4,5km long up a mountain trail, and the other, 11km along the Great Fish River bank. Cradock is also a popular destination for canoeing and tubing enthusiasts.
Sport:
Every year, the famous Fish River Canoe Marathon, which starts at Lake Arthur and Grassridge Dams, brings together the largest group of canoeists in South Africa.
Did you know? South Africa's most unusual chessboard can be found in Cradock - British soldiers carved it out of a flat ironstone slab high up on Salpeterkop during the South African (Anglo-Boer) War!