TOURIST INFORMATION
Bedford Municipality 046 685 1993
Bedford was founded in 1854 on a portion of the farm Maastroom which was the property of the Lieutenant Governor of the Cape, Sir Andries Stockenstrom who named the town after his friend the Duke of Bedford. The town is situated at the foot of the Winterberg Mountains with heavily forested slopes rising out of extensive grasslands. It is blessed with extensive bird life and several species of game abound in the immediate area. The old homestead of Sir Andries Stockenstrom, Lieutenant Governor of the time is nearby. During the War of Mlanjeni, his lovely old farm, Maastroom, was spitefully raized by British troops. Thomas Pringle, one of the 1820 Settlers, and his Scottish party played a major influence on the town. Pringle later became famous as a poet.
