Aberdeen, Eastern Cape

A Village of Tall Churches & Gargoyles

There are thirty-eight towns and cities across the world named Aberdeen, our town in the Eastern Cape, between Graaff-Reniet and the Garden Route, is most certainly unique to the rest. Aberdeen offers one 'history for the mind and peace for the soul'.

Aberdeen is a treasure trove of architectural delights where Victorian ostrich baron palaces can be found alongside typical Karoo and modern 20th century homes. Property prices in the small town are very reasonable, and this has enabled many newer residents to be able to repair and restore their homes to their former glory. Aberdeen is a declared architectural conservation town and is a storehouse of styles including Victorian, Georgian, Karoo, German, Gothic Revival, Russian, Art Nouveau and Flemish Revival, with over 200 houses that date back to before 1890. About half of these houses have flat roofs with parapets.

Aberdeen is best to explore on an early morning walk, try the Architectural Heritage Walk where you can view almost all the points of interest in one day – maps are available at the tourism office. The town is mostly used by tourists for a short stay over travelling between the Garden Route and Johannesburg. However, if you are looking for a longer vacation away from the hustle and bustle, a few days in this peaceful town can include trips into the Fonteibos Nature Reserve, Camdeboo Nature Park or even the Addo Elephant Park only two hours away. Visit to hike, walk and view game!

Aberdeen accommodation options include a few Guest Houses, self-catering units and Farm Stays.

Things to do and see

• Architectural Heritage Walk
• Old Post Office Building
• NGK Church & Church Hall
• Methodist Church
• Aberdeen Cemetery
• Kamdebo Stall
• Camdeboo National Park
• Camdeboo Pass
• Camdeboo Route

Climate

Aberdeen receives approximately 199 mm of rain annually with most rainfall occurring during Autumn and Winter.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 15˚C and 31˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 3˚C and 15˚C.

Transport

There are daily flights into George Airport, approximately 293 Km’s via the N9 and Port Elizabeth International Airport, approximately 312 km’s away via the R75. Car hire facilities are available at the Airport.

History

Aberdeen was established on the farm "Brakfontein" which belonged to Mr Jan Vorster. He sold it to the NGK (Dutch Reformed Church) of Graaff-Reniet who gave permission for a new congregation on 10 September 1855. A village soon developed around the Church and the town was named after the birthplace in Scotland of the minister of the church, the Rev Andrew Murray.

In 1858 the first village management board was established and the town became a municipality.

Aberdeen has a seemingly never-ending source of water which comes from a natural spring in the Reserve just outside the town. This fountain has never run dry and is the source of the leading water, “leiwater”, supplied to the lower portion of the town. Aberdeen is one of only three towns in South Africa with leiwater.