Our spacious old home offers guests three double rooms with en suite showers. Crisp white linen and towels are offset by individual colour schemes. There is safe, off-road parking and a separate guest entrance from the parking area. The long, broad passage is painted gousblom yellow and, above the picture rail, the original mud plaster has been exposed. The walls of the passage are lined with Peter’s naïve art and, without too much encouragement, he will introduce you to the characters that he uses in his paintings – his trademark dogs, long-necked camels inspired by the Owl House in Nieu Bethesda and “parrotmen”. The lounge, dining room and entrance area have high pressed steel ceilings and the floors are polished Oregon boards throughout. Fans in the high ceilinged rooms help to overcome the heat of summer but winter is red wine weather with the Esse stove in the kitchen, a fire in the lounge and hotwater bottles in the beds to stave off the cold.
Smithfield is the third oldest town in the Free State and there is plenty of interest for history buffs such as the Caledon River Museum and the historical cemetery where Rose Roberts, an Irish woman with a harp and shamrocks on her gravestone is buried. What was she doing in Smithfield in 1878 when she died, so far from home? For sports enthusiasts there is golf, tennis and bowls on the well kept bowling green. The golf course celebrated its 100th birthday recently and has featured on Pitch and Putter. A round of golf in Smithfield will cost you a fraction of what you would pay in the cities. There are walks and a trail up the koppie with much of interest along the way – some rock art, Boer War graffiti and indigenous fauna and flora. Bridwatchers may be lucky enough to spot the gymnogenes that circle the village in search of prey or to the shy Bokmakierie that can often be heard calling early in the morning. In the district is a farm where sheep are milked to produce traditional sheep’s milk cheeses. Visits to this fascinating farm can be arranged.
We have lived in many parts of South Africa – over 25 years in the Free State – as well as in Namibia and can offer a wealth of advice and information to both local and overseas tourists about interesting routes to take and what to see along the way as well as a few urban legends! Experience Free State hospitality and good value – and a hearty breakfast to set you on your way!
Bokmakierie B & B Amenities
Fans in rooms
Electric blankets
Guest lounge
Separate guest entrance
Off-street parking
Directions To Bokmakierie B & B
As you enter Smithfield from the Bloemfontein side you will come to a stop street. The Caltex garage will be on your right.
On the opposite side of the stop street there is a sign for the hospital as well as one of our boards (brown with white writing).
Carry on straight for two blocks where you will find another one of our boards pointing to the left. Turn left and continue for about one and a half blocks and you will find our house.
Our house is painted dark red and has a long stone wall in front of it.
Area Attractions
Golf course (5)
Tennis (1/2)
Bowls (1/2)
Mountain biking (4)
Walking (2)
Bird watching
Restaurants (1)