FINCHLEY FARM COTTAGE
Farm in Willowmore

They came with their two adult children William junior and Eleanor both born in the UK. William junior's first wife, Margaret Williamson, whom he married in 1817 in London, died soon after arrival. In 2000 Willowmore became part of the Baviaans Municipality which covers an area of more than 7700 square kilometers, incorporates the the towns of Willowmore and Steytlerville as well as the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area. Stock farming (mainly Angora goats, Merino sheep and Boer goats) makes up most of the area’s economy with game farming and tourism following close by. In and around Willowmore you will find a number of restaurants/coffee shops, 4x4/4x2 tracks, hiking trails, mountain biking routes, bird watching as well as historic sites that will be of interest to visitors. The Colonial rebels from the Cape Colony were regarded as traitors and rebels by the British authorities, and many were executed after the war. Boer commandoes remained active in the Willowmore-Aberdeen area for more than a year. It is also puzzling why his grave has never been found. This old Boer graveyard has interesting graves dating back to the Anglo Boer War. There are also remnants of British forts just outside town. This hiking trail will take you through beautiful Karoo veldt which is rich in succulents. Take a trip down memory lane while you relax and enjoy a peaceful donkey cart ride through the streets of our village. The Blackstone's is open to the public and the key can be collected at the Baviaans Tourism Office. Visitors are welcome to enjoy a good day of golf in unspoilt surroundings and afterwards relax with the local players. Today Willowmore is one of the cleanest towns in South Africa and there is an ongoing beautification program in place which will surprise visitors. The sandstone rock formation on the mountain is a must see. The panoramic view from the top of Aasvoëlberg is breath taking and you just realize how much beauty you are surrounded by. Two varieties of small trees grow next to each other. The dam was build by the South African Railways in 1906 to supply the steam locomotives with water. When steam was replaced with diesel the dam was taken over by the then Willowmore Municipality as the town's primary source of water at the time. It was built for the purpose of flood control on the Grootrivier, especially for the sake of the farming community in the Patensie area. The dam never stays full for any length of time since it is a flood control dam and not for irrigation purposes. Beervlei Dam remains, however, a very interesting attraction for those who travel the main road that passes so close to the curious, fluted wall construction of the dam. It was used for a variety of functions, including funerals of prominent people, soirées, plays, wedding receptions and film shows.