Top Things to do in Cradock
What to do and see in Cradock, South Africa: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Cradock, South Africa including Mountain Zebra National Park, Schreiner House Museum, Cat Conservation Trust, St Peter's Church, The New River Company.
Restaurants in Cradock
1. Mountain Zebra National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
Reviewed By derek r - plettenberg bay
My wife and I agreed that this was easily the worst of the many South African national parks and others in Botswana and Namibia that we have so far visited. This in spite of the many good reviews by others ,and we are forced to conclude that the marked deterioration is relatively recent. Cottage 2, where we stayed [we weren't offered an opportunity to stay in the newly completed cottages] was poorly maintained[ 3 out of 4 bedside lights fused, garbage bin lid broken off, toilet only flushed for as long as lever held down, Television remote dead {original batteries still in}, cutlery drawer very seriously sticky, missing shower curtain had caused serious damage to a number of the terracotta floor tiles, bath in need of silicon seal replacement, window sill paint showing black mould]. Meal times were a complete surprise packet.The normal arrangement of brunch only plus dinner was very temporarily replaced over the season by the usual breakfast, lunch and supper Result was that two French adults plus 5 young children managed supper on Xmas eve, no breakfast on Xmas day, no lunch because this had been fully pre-booked by prior arrangement, no supper , no breakfast on Boxing Day because it was to be replaced by brunch. Result .. no food for one and a half days. Moreover, this arrangement was not conveyed to guests.
Although a lot of money has gone into the civil engineering of the admittedly impressive road structure, nearly all roads were quite badly corrugated. and in need of bulldozing The shop seemed to have an overabundance of curios and an under-ditto of bread, fresh milk and meat. The petrol pump remained broken for the duration of our stay. Cottages on both sides of ours remained empty during our stay and the absence of a number of cottage lights at night suggested the camp was not very full
2. Schreiner House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By Jilldutoit - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
A wander through this restored house proved interesting and insightful.
The kitchen and diningroom had been carefully refurbished to reflect the style of domestic life at the time that the Schreiner siblings lived there; the other rooms serve to display with photographs, pictures and documents, the life of Oliver Schreiner and highlight her pioneering role in promoting the South African novel. I can't help feeling that she would have had more credibility had she taken the bull by the horns and at the outset, published her "Story of an African farm" under her own name, rather than using a masculine nom de plume.
The curator, who normally guides visitors round and fills them in on background info, was not on the property when we visited, but we found the displays engrossing and engaging enough on their own.
3. Cat Conservation Trust
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Conservation centre for the indigneous small cats of Africa. See and learn about the CITIES Appendix I Blackfooted Cat (aka small spotted cat), African wild cat, Serval and Caracal. Informative fully guided tours have to be prebooked. We are involved in education, conservation and research of these species.
Reviewed By bluebird5853 - Wolfsburg, Germany
If you want to learn more about the smaller cats – this is the place to go. No touching of animals allowed. The information you walk away with about these cats is fascinating.
After a visit to the Cat Conservation Trust, I have an understanding of the problems these little predators face. Not often seen, it was wonderful to watch them and learn about them.
4. St Peter's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Jilldutoit - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
This building is yet another example of Sophia Gray's prowess as an architect/designer of the churches which her husband, the first bishop of Cape Town, set out to establish in the Cape Province over 150 years ago.
Whilst the typical hallmarks of her handiwork are clearly recognisable, this church differs from others she designed as only the chancel/porch area is constructed of dressed stone, while the nave is plastered and painted.
I phoned in advance as I wanted to see the interior of the building and it was thrilling to see the exposed roof trusses - aesthetically pleasing and promoting really good acoustics, while the vibrant stained glass windows are particularly noteworthy!
A charming lychgate and stone wall, built to commemorate the parishioners who fell in WW2, is a much later addition to the church grounds.
As with so many of these old buildings, maintenance costs are high and with rural depopulation, congregations haven't the capacity to shouder this financial burden on their own.
One trusts that some intervention will be forthcoming, but it seems little is currently being done.
