The Water Tower

A circular double-storey with an interesting past, The Water Tower sits in a pleasant garden in the heart of Nieu Bethesda. This quirky building was first a water tower and then a Buddhist meditation room. With whitewashed walls and wooden floors, it is a calm and clean space from which to enjoy the famous Karoo sky, day or night.

The Water Tower sleeps two guests on a queen-size bed in the room upstairs adjoining the sun/star deck. The kitchenette is below with the private shower and composting toilet attached. Do some stargazing on the deck before creeping under your crisp cotton sheets, lamb’s wool duvets and mohair blanket. Pets are welcome by arrangement.

Life in Nieu Bethesda potters along much as it did 130 years ago, when the village was founded. Stone water furrows still line the wide, dusty streets. Night skycaps are unpolluted by streetlights and the air is still fresh and clean.

Nieu Bethesda has a working network of furrows, with water supplied daily from a spring on the plateau above the village. Residents channel water into their gardens using smaller gated funnels. Visitors can hike along the furrows up to the spring. Horse riding is offered at several places in the village as well.

The area around Nieu Bethesda is good for either a leisurely ride or a challenging ride for serious mountain bikers. If you’re feeling lazy, hire a bike from the Outsiders B&B and cruise around the village. Alternatively, wake up early to conquer one of the two mountain bike trails in the area.