Picturesque Sedgefield on the Garden Route is a little piece of paradise that offers a laid back lifestyle to its residents.
About the area
The sleepy Garden Route town of Sedgefield was a well-kept secret for many years. City slickers would move or retire here and remain tjoepstil about their little piece of paradise, keeping its attractions and laid-back lifestyle all to themselves.
Though the secret is largely out, leading to growing numbers of people buying here, this town between Knysna and George, just off the N2 highway, remains a tranquil one – in fact, it’s Africa’s only “slow town” – a brand that locals promote with pride.
And, while prices have gone up in recent years, property here is still more affordable than in some of the other Garden Route towns like Wilderness and Plettenberg Bay.
Sedgefield is mainly located alongside the Sedgefield lagoon, forming part of the Swartvlei lake system. These lakes along with the beautiful, unspoilt beaches nearby make the town a watersports mecca and you will see residents and visitors fishing, swimming and having a fun time on windsurfers and boats year round.
The lagoon is picturesque and rich in bird, animal and plant life, making it a haven for nature lovers.
The town also has interesting shops, markets and restaurants, including the excellent Benguela Brasserie and Restaurant at five-star Lakeside Lodge and Spa, which also offers wine tastings.
Centrally positioned on the Garden Route and under 40 minutes’ drive from George Airport, Sedgefield and the surrounding towns have become a popular destination for golfers.
Another huge attraction in Sedgefield itself is the long-running Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market held every Saturday. Stallholders selling good quality, home-made produce come from all along the Garden Route, and buyers come from as far as PE.
If you’re looking for a more peaceful lifestyle and fancy a move to the Garden Route, then Sedgefield will tick all the boxes.
“Moving to Sedgefield was one of the best decisions my husband and I made. Our children live carefree, outdoor lives. People wave at each other in the street and when things go wrong, the whole community rallies around them. People participate in life here. We feel safe and cherished.” Athane Scholtz, resident.
Best in food:
- Montecello in Sedgefield’s Main Service Road is renowned for its delicious espetadas.
- Benguela Brasserie and Restaurant at Lakeside Lodge and Spa offers fine dining in a relaxed setting.
- You could spend hours at the Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market and not get bored: start with breakfast, stick around for lunch.
- Dine with the sand between your toes at PiliPili Beach Bar Restaurant, right by the dunes at Myoli Beach. There’s even an extreme sports centre right next door.
Things to do:
- Water sports and nature lovers all gravitate towards Swartvlei.
- If you prefer the sea rather than the lake? Try Sedgefield’s super beaches. The walk from Swartvlei Beach to local landmark Gericke’s Point is a highlight.
- Scarab Village Craft Market is open Saturday mornings. Scout for arts, crafts, clothing, gifts, jewellery and more.
- Stock up on home-made produce at the Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning.
- The Sedgefield Craft Brewery next to the Scarab Village Craft Market is a boutique-style craft brewery specialising in high-quality handcrafted beer.
Top schools nearby:
- Laerskool Sedgefield Primary (dual medium – English and Afrikaans in one class)
- Sedgefield Primary School, Smutsville
Schools closer to Knysna:
- Laerskool Knysna Primary (double medium – English and Afrikaans classes)
- Knysna High School
- Oakhill School
- Knysna International School
- Knysna Montessori School
- Knysna Christian School
Schools closer to George:
- York High School
- Outeniqua High School
- Glenwood House School
- Rundle College
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
