On a recent road trip, we were looking for places to stop on the N1 on our way to Cape Town. We spotted Matjiesfontein on the map and realised we’d had recommendations to visit before, and so we planned our route around an overnight stop in Matjiesfontein. And what a fantastic idea this was!
Matjiesfontein (pronounced Mikeys-fontain) is one of the most charming villages in South Africa, offering a complete step back into a bygone era. The town’s attractions are all centered around one short road, meaning you could easily visit to break up a long drive for a few hours. But even better is to plan for one night and stay at the famous Matjiesfontein Hotel, called The Lord Milner Hotel.
So read on for my for my guide on all there is to see and do in Matjiesfontein!
Matjiesfontein Guide: Essential Info
Where is Matjiesfontein?
The small town is located on the N1 which is the central artery through all of South Africa. Connecting some of the biggest cities in South Africa, the N1 starts at the Zimbabwe border, and weaves through Polokwane, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, all the way down to Cape Town.
Long stretches of the N1 go through the expansive Karoo, which is a vast semi-arid region covering a large part of South Africa’s interior. So finding places to stop in this area can be quite tricky, and although service stations in South Africa are typically very good, it can be really nice to stop in a small town for a stretch of the legs!
Matjiesfontein is less than 1 minute off the N1 in the Central Karoo, located in between the Witteberge (White Mountains) and Swartberg (Black Mountains). Once at the turning, you drive around 400m and the main street of the town will appear.
How to get to Matjiesfontein?
The main way to get to Matjiesfontein is by car, and parking is plentiful and easy in the town.
You can stop in Matjiesfontein on South Africa’s Greyhound buses and this company here, called Wine Flies, runs 1-night tours from Cape Town to Matjiesfontein.
It’s worth noting that the famous luxury Rovos Rail often features a stop in Matjiesfontein on its routes north and southbound from Cape Town.
How to get around Matjiesfontein?
As the town is so small, it’s very easy to get around on foot. The Lord Milner Hotel runs what is touted as the ‘shortest bus route’ in the world, with a tour of the whole town on a London red double decker bus taking less than 10 minutes!
Where to stay in Matjiesfontein?
The main place to stay is the iconic Lord Milner Hotel, which is a must-do experience. You can either stay in the main building, in one of the garden rooms or in one of the adjacent villas and cottages. Another option is the Matjies Mews, which is a comfortable motel-style rooms within the hotel gardens.
We loved our stay at the Lord Milner Hotel. We tried to enjoy a bit of everything, including its old tennis court. It was far too hot to even attempt to play outside in January!
Rates at the Lord Milner Hotel starts from £80 for a Garden Room per night, or £105 for a Superior Double Room. There’s also a suite with a private pool from £150 per night. Book your stay here!
Where to eat in Matjiesfontein?
For day visitors, The Coffee House is the main place to eat. This used to be called Logan’s General Store, which opened in 1888. Today, the cafe serves up delicious breakfast, lunch items and baked goods.
Next door to the hotel is The Laird’s Arms, the only pub in town. This is the perfect spot for a drink, or lunch with pub meals served up from 12-2.30pm each day.
For those staying at the Lord Milner Hotel overnight, dinner is served in its charming dining room, which is the only place for an evening meal.
Background of Matjiesfontein
The small village was founded in 1884, but its history extends even further back to the time when European settlers found themselves in conflict with the Khoi and the San.
Today, Matjiesfontein is a restored Victorian village with a distinctive colonial feel, with numerous Union Jack flags flying from the hotel and at the roadside.
It was a Scottish railway man, called James Logan, who founded Matjiesfontein. Logan built the famous hotel building in 1899, during the early part of the Anglo-Boer War. It ended up being used as a military hospital and a lookout post for British forces, with around 10,000 troops camping in the village around the hotel.
Logan developed the town into a fashionable Victorian health spa town that attracted visitors from around the world, including the likes of Rudyard Kipling and Cecil John Rhodes. Logan is often credited for his unique ability to transform a rural Karoo village into a characterful and vibrant location, thanks to his passion and vision. In fact, he led Matjiesfontein to be the first village in South Africa to have both electric street lights and water-borne sewerage.
When Logan died in 1920, a famed South African hotelier called David Rawdon bought the village and carefully restored it to preserve its Victorian charm. Later, the village was declared a National Heritage Site.
Olive Schreiner author of the famous novel ‘The Story of an African Farm’ loved Matjiesfontein so much that she rented a cottage there, which is now known as the Schreiner cottage.
To read more on the history of Matjiesfontein, make sure to read this extensive guide here.
Things to Do and See in Matjiesfontein
The Lord Milner Hotel
Whether you stay or just visit, the Lord Milner Hotel is a must-visit experience. As a day guest, you can visit its lower ground floor and grounds to get a sense of its grandeur.
If you stay overnight, not only do you get to enjoy a fantastic dinner in the hotel’s dining room, but you can enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool. Rumour has it, it’s the coldest pool in Africa! But after the January heat we were experiencing, the refreshing water was most welcome!
Museums in Matjiesfontein
The village itself is like a living museum, but there’s a few must-visit buildings and collections to stop by in Matjiesfontein.
- The Transport Museum is just along from the hotel and is home to an incredible collection of vintage cars, including two Royal Daimlers from King George VI’s 1947 tour of South Africa. There are also antique bicycles in all shapes and sizes, as well as a steam train and carriages.
- The Marie Rawdon Museum is by the railway station over the road from the hotel. This incredible collection of Victoriana items is quite unlike anything I’ve seen. The museum is a maze of small rooms and hidden corners absolutely packed with personal relics and household items. My favourite room was the full size Victorian pharmacy or apothecary that was like a true step back in time. You could easily spend an hour or two in here alone.
- The Railway Museum is home to a station master’s office dating back to the late 1800s, as well as the original signal room. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the Rovos train trundle in if the timing is right!
Other attractions:
- The Old Post Office: In the small row of stores and cottages on the main street is the Old Post office, which is also now the gift shop. It has a wonderful array of locally made Karoo goods, as well as Africana books and collectibles.
- The Old Bank Building: Whilst you can’t fully go inside this building, you can peek in through the door. The bank opened in 1897 and inside, the original teller’s counter and banking equipment are still on display.
- The Historic Cricket Pitch: One of the first ever international cricket matches took place here between South Africa and England in the late 1800s. Logan was passionate about sports and was instrumental in developing the game of cricket in South Africa. He also formed a football team in 1897 which is still going today – the Matjiesfontein Logandiers!
Other places to visit include the Court House and Jail, the Traveller’s Chapel (a tiny church within the hotel’s grounds), the Pink Church and the Railway Station.
Do also take the time to wander the street where you’ll find old-school gas pumps!
Matjiesfontein Guide
So there’s my guide to this unique and charming village in South Africa, a must-visit on any journey along the N1. Few places can offer such an immersive step back in time as Matjiesfontein, and we loved our one night stay there.
I hope this Matjiesfontein guide is useful for planning a trip in South Africa’s Western Cape. If you need other guides to the region, I have the following posts:
- Cape Town Guide: The Best Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa
- Cape Town Itinerary: Ideas for Planning 3, 5 and 7 day Itineraries for Cape Town, South Africa
- Visiting Robben Island on a Tour from Cape Town: A Detailed Guide
- Cape Town Foodie Guide: The Best Places to Eat in Cape Town, South Africa
For more information, feel free as always to reach out via email and I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can.
Disclaimer: This is an independent guide to Matjiesfontein and is based on a personal trip. There was no gifting or hosted involvement from any local companies or the tourist board.
