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Why to visit Richmond in the Karoo

3/1/2018

26 Comments

 
Why to visit Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
​By Roxanne Reid
The small town of Richmond lies just off the N1, about halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. Don’t rush past; take the time to explore. Let me share some insight into why to visit Richmond in the Karoo.

​If you regularly rush along the N1 between Cape Town and Johannesburg, chances are your only memories of Richmond are the speeding fines that are mailed to you when you get home. You can foil this notorious speed camera by slowing down and taking a detour through the town instead. It'll be a refreshing break on your road trip too. There are so many reasons to visit Richmond.
Road trip, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Surrounded by mountains and Karoo plains where sheep graze – and perhaps a few springbok – Richmond is a dozy little town that deserves a second look to really appreciate the old buildings or pop in to one of the restaurants for coffee and cake.
Street view, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Old building, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Road sign, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
​Here you might find a few locals strolling down the street or lolling in a spot of shade outside a shop. Bakkies and seen-better-days cars are the norm around here, so you’ll stick out like a sore thumb with your brand new Prado or Mini Cooper. But don’t worry, they’re a laid-back lot and they’ll barely give you a second glance.
Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
​Victorian architecture lives on in many of the buildings, and there’s an attractive church in the main road. ​An old-model breakdown truck is parked outside a ramshackle garage that looks as unused as the truck.
Church, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Pick-up truck, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
​There’s a strong art presence in Richmond through the Modern Art Project (MAP). The idea is to make art more accessible by showing it outside a gallery setting. 
Public art, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
There’s a rather strange open-air art installation on the main road, with sculptures spaced far apart on a messy concrete space that may once have been the foundation of a building. But it’s public art and there for anyone walking down the street to enjoy, even if they don’t understand it.

​
There’s some imposing street art too.
Street art, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
​As you wander up and down the main road you’ll discover a few jam-packed bookshops, so it’s not surprising that the town had been branded as ‘Booktown Richmond’. That also has a lot to do with an annual book festival known as Boekbedonnerd. 
Why to visit Richmond - bookshops
Bookshop, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
​The festival was started by Darryl David and Peter Baker. Every October, book addicts flood the town to hear authors talk about their books, to fossick in the bookshops for buried treasure and enjoy the local speciality, Karoo lamb, for dinner.
Vetmuis Plaaskombuis, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Vetmuis Plaaskombuis, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Richmond has one of only two horse museums in the world (the other is in the USA). The building housing the horse museum was once a school and boarding house. Now, of course, it celebrates all things horsey, with an old communion cart dating back to the mid 1800s as one of its prize exhibits. If you’re nuts about horses, you’ll love this unusual museum.

​There are a few other bits and bobs as well, like fashionable gowns of the mid-1800s and early 1900s, and some household appliances that provide a window into life in the old days.
Richmond horse museum, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
If you’re looking for Richmond accommodation or somewhere to eat, don’t miss popping in to the Richmond Cafe and Rooms at the top end of town. You’ll find coffee and good food, lovely bright rooms to stay over in, and many interesting spaces to explore.

Before you know it you’ll have been in Richmond for hours.
Richmond Cafe & Rooms, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Richmond Cafe & Rooms, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Richmond Cafe & Rooms, Richmond, Karoo, South Africa
Richmond accommodation: Richmond Cafe & Rooms, South Africa
Richmond accommodation: Richmond Cafe & Rooms, South Africa
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Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
Why to visit Richmond in the Karoo #SouthAfrica #travel #roadtrip
Why to visit Richmond in the Karoo #SouthAfrica #roadtrip
26 Comments
Clive
6/1/2018 10:12:16 pm

I was born in Richmond and spent my early childhood there .
It has not changed that much over the years except for an increase in b&bs. Seeing the photos brought back happy memories. Thanks.

Reply
Roxanne
7/1/2018 12:38:48 pm

So glad I could provide some happy memories, Clive. It would be intriguing to know what the various buildings used to be used for - perhaps all today's restaurants, B&Bs and bookshops used to be homes?

Reply
H nel
17/3/2018 08:29:02 pm

Canyou please tell me more about you grown up yrars in Richmon please.

Reply
Carmen
20/10/2019 09:29:50 am

I absolutely love this article. I was born in Richmond. Lived there throughout my school years and my family is still there. The images in this article makes my teary eyed and brought back so many beautiful memories. I still wish I could stay there. Thank you so much. So much love for this town.

Reply
Roxanne Reid
20/10/2019 10:46:49 am

Ah what a story, Carmen. I'll bet you had a very happy Karoo childhood. Glad we could bring you some bitter-sweet memories.

Reply
Elmie Sieberhagen
21/10/2019 09:09:54 am

I was born in Richmond in 1966, this town is very special to me, the town where my father, grandfather and great grandfather was born and grew up, will always remember the beautiful stories my dad told me about the farms and my ancestors, i always have a sense of belonging when i think of Richmond...

Reply
Roxanne
22/10/2019 08:49:21 am

What strong roots you have there, Elmie. Anyone who grows up in the Karoo has very fond memories. You don't say whether you still live there or when you last visited.

Reply
Francois Nieuwoudt
9/6/2024 10:59:52 pm

Hi daar! My Pa was skoolhoof en koshuis vader in Richmond in 70’s. Ek en my broer was albei gebore in Richmond. Bly nou al 20 jaar in uk maar my hart verlang na die Karoo

Reply
Roxanne Reid
11/6/2024 04:37:15 pm

What a magical Karoo childhood you must have had in Richmond, Francois. That Karoo feeling never quite leaves you, no matter how long you've been away.

D.Retief
22/10/2019 06:55:17 pm

Goeie ou dae. Hele skoolloopbaan lê daar en herinneringe van goeie ou dae....

Reply
Roxanne
22/10/2019 08:17:31 pm

So many fond remembrances of times past. I can imagine that they are good old days indeed.

Reply
Laetitia Wolmarans (Loots)
23/10/2019 05:23:25 am

Welgedaan en dankie vir die herinneringe. Grootworddorp. Alma mater Hoèrskool Richmond. In daardie kerk veilig en geborge gevoel, ook baie trane gestort toe daar afskeid geneem is van ons dierbare ouers, Hans en Truida Loots. Dankie neef Joe Smit vir die skakel.

Reply
Roxanne
23/10/2019 07:48:53 am

Ah, Laetitia, it seems there are very happy memories of Richmond for many people who grew up there. Goeie ou dae! It's a gorgeous little Karoo town.

Reply
Kate
9/10/2020 04:47:16 pm

So lovely to read about Richmond. Did you know that Sir David Attenborough lives in Richmond in England. I think every town, village, dorp needs you write so wonderfully about them. Thank you very much x just because you are doing a great job. Kate

Reply
Roxanne
10/10/2020 09:53:07 am

Thanks for your kind comments, Kate. I didn't know that's where he lived, but I've actually been to Richmond in the UK. Of course, there's one in Virginia, USA, too.

Reply
Piet
20/3/2021 09:15:24 am

Very nostalgic - I love the old homes!

Reply
Roxanne Reid
20/3/2021 09:26:27 am

Me too, Piet, they have so many stories to tell.

Reply
Salome
13/4/2021 08:41:04 pm

Lovely article. Went to primary school. This town is very close to my heart. Where can I get hold of some of the lovely photos. Love them

Reply
Roxanne Reid
13/4/2021 08:54:49 pm

Pleased you enjoyed it, Salome. They're our photos and we're always happy to sell them at a market-related price.

Reply
Cally Rogers
20/1/2022 10:52:15 pm

Hi all..i have loved reading about Richmond..i have been doing my family genealogy to discover my great great grandmother, Sarah Geetruida, Wernich was born in Richmond in 1861..her mother , Ceicilia Maria Leibenberg was also born in Richmond abt 1840..ceicilia married in Richmond in 1856 to Johan Joachmin Lodewyk Wernich..i know this is a long shot but i was hoping that there might be someone in Richmond whose family has been there for generations could enlighten me on a bit of my ancestors history of life in the little town in those days..perhaps have photos etc that can help me to understand life as it was in days gone by..or perhaps can put me intouch with someone who might have a bit of history information..or whose family might just connect up to mine..thank you for your time to read my post..

Reply
Roxanne
30/1/2022 09:33:37 am

Cally, I think your best bet would be to get in touch with the museum in Richmond - see the link at http://www.richmondnc.co.za/museum.html
Although it's just a horse museum and not a genealogical one, they would be best placed to know someone in Richmond who might be able to help you. Good luck!

Reply
Cally
24/2/2022 09:50:17 pm

Thank you so much Roxanne for your reply..i will give them a call

Reply
Colleen Gill
3/6/2023 04:34:36 pm

On our way home from W. Coast to KZN, we made an unplanned stop in Richmond. Granted it was early in the day but we thought we were in a forgotten village. The lady in the cafe, who had to feed a machine with coins in order to give us coffee, told us, apart from being a farming area, all the folk did there was eat, sleep & drink. We noted the lovely church but did not have time to look around. Now I see these interesting photos & comments & realise its a lovely place. What a pity the entrance into Richmond is so unappealing; with a bit of attention it could be a great tourist attraction.l

Reply
Roxanne Reid
4/6/2023 07:37:12 am

I sometimes think the not so great entry into small towns off the highway is what makes them special. It's a bit like having a badly wrapped present turn into a something fab once it's open.

Reply
Sa'Diyya Karodia
7/6/2024 06:04:47 pm

I stayed overnight in Richmond, in January. It was such a lovely experience, from staying in an old bank to the beautiful art museum next door and FREE entry museum in town. We ran out of time or we would have explored more. Its such a an eye opening experience for us who live in cities. This should be a town on every one's travel list.

Reply
Roxanne Reid
8/6/2024 03:07:33 pm

I agree with you about the joy of small towns for city dwellers. I'm also glad to hear your comments because someone told me recently they thought Richmond gone down. That's never good to hear so I hope it's not true.

Reply

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    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
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