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There is no shortage of things to do: bird watching, fynbos, mountain biking and hiking, river activities, horse riding, and much more.  Or you can just gaze at spectacular scenery and recharge your batteries before another outing to tempt your taste buds around the town.

Marianas Deli & Bistro at Owl Barn
There have only been two Sundays when they were not fully booked since they opened four years ago.  There is usually a waiting list which, last Mother's Day, reached 600 hopeful diners!  They can only seat 28 and only open for breakfast and lunch Friday to Sunday.

Marianas (Pic: Syringa Farm/Hero Design)
Peter and Mariana moved to Stanford 18 years ago after a holiday at her parents holiday home in De Kelders.  They weren't bored by three weeks of 'nothing-ness'; rather, they started searching for a home in the country.  Peter was advised to find a trade to make a living, so gave up selling band equipment to train as an electrician.
    The town they settled on was Stanford, "because it was one place we saw ourselves being happy on a Sunday afternoon when the wind just blows and blows," says Peter.
    Mariana was a translator at Parliament and it was in Stanford that their existing interest in food blossomed.  When they bought a second house at Stanford which abutted their own home, the produce from the large garden begged to be used.  Mariana started making deli items to sell at the Hermanus market.
    Initially they had a tenant in the house; then it became Stanford's first free-standing self-catering unit 11 years ago, becoming Marianas Home Deli & Bistro at Owl Barn four years ago.
    Their lives have settled into a pattern which neither wants to change.  Their own home is a hive of activity on Wednesdays and Thursdays, when staff prepare the deli stock and for the weekends.  Then it's all systems go from Friday to Sundays.
    As so many city emigrés say, "We didn't come here to get rich, but to be happy."  Now what can beat this?
We were invited to Marianas for a gruyère souffle for breakfast.  Different, delicious and unforgettable!

Ploughman's Pantry (Pic: Hero Design)
Many Capetonians will remember Rob Yeowart from Ferryman's and San Marco at the Waterfront.  He moved to Stanford in search of a better life and opened The Ploughman's Pantry in 2001.  Great pizzas, pastas and coffee, and a very friendly vibe.

Stanford Inn is one of the focal points in the village.  The pub is where locals meet, especially when there's sport on TV, and they have a wine shop with a good selection of local wines.

Birkenhead EstateBirkenhead Estate is the local brewery and commemorates a gallant episode of naval history.  They offer tastings daily, a restaurant, pub and interesting shop.  A very popular venue for weddings, with the expansive views across to the mountains.

Other restaurants include Peregrine's, Paprika and Havercrofts.  You can now buy locally made gruyère cheese from the Kleinrivier Cheese Farm outside Stanford.  It's well worth a visit.

The area is also becoming a prime wine-producing location.  Jackson's Pinotage has met acclaim and Erica's Wines is also located outside town.  Birkenhead and Blue Gum Country Estate have both planted vines.

(Pic: Syringa Farm)
We'd love to add more information on other activities – birdwatching, fynbos, hiking, horse riding, 4x4 routes and everything else that there is to do in the area.  If you can help, please let us know.
But, for Stanford village, it's hidden heart is the Klein River.  Apart from cruising it on the African Queen, there are smaller operators who offer trips to explore its beauty and bird life.  Or... explore it alone in a kayak.


Pic: David Dowie Dunn



 
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