Photo The Zesty Lemon.

The Overberg village of Stanford is a picnic hotspot and culinary delight. Support Stanford’s entrepreneurial shop owners and local markets, from the Saturday Morning Market, Saturday’s Junktique, the monthly Stanford Sunset Market, and a weekly fresh goodies market Thursdays at Martin’s Deli, and build your own picnic and enjoy it in spots throughout out the village – from the picturesque riverbank to ‘Die Ou Krale’ near the dam.

If you’re looking to work up an appetite, opt for a hike and picnic at nearby Phillipskop Nature Reserve. Situated on the slopes of the Klein River Mountains, the reserve helps protect the unique fynbos of the area and provides a range of hiking trails for all abilities. One of these trails takes you on a short relatively level walk (1.5km) to the Picnic Tree, an enchantingly twisted Rock Candlewood with a perfectly positioned picnic table underneath its spreading canopy.

For family fun book a picnic at Blue Gum Country Estate. The farm has an extensive play area for children as well as a tennis court, pool and hiking trails – all of which can be made use of for overnight guests and day visitors and their cafe and deli make a concerted effort to stock local suppliers including Klein River and Stone House Estate cheeses and wine from neighbouring farms.

Picnics can also be booked at Zesty Lemon with beautiful views over the dam to compliment the country charm. A kids’ play area completes the experience. Picnics can also be pre-booked at Springfontein Wine Estate at the Ulumbaza” Wine Bar(n). “Ulumbaza” means “House of Joy”, and this is the farm’s more than 200-year-old thatched stable, where they serve not only the wines of the same name, but all available ones from Springfontein.

At Walker Bay Estate, visitors can enjoy Artisan Cheese Picnic Boards complete with beautiful views. Ask about their Walker Bay Wines and Birkenhead Craft Beers.

Pop into the Stanford Hills Wine Shop at Stanford Hills Estate for local produce, wines and fresh flowers and enjoy views of rolling hills and the dam.  Keep an eye out for the village’s latest project – “Stanford Culinary” launching this autumn for more home-grown foodie experiences.

For more information on Stanford visit https://www.stanfordinfo.co.za/