The Water Tower

A circular double-storey with an interesting past. 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 sits in a pleasant garden in the heart of Nieu Bethesda. 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 in a separate outbuilding. Do some stargazing on the deck before cr

A circular double-storey with an interesting past. 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 sits in a pleasant garden in the heart of Nieu Bethesda.

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 in a separate outbuilding. Do some stargazing on the deck before creeping under your crisp cotton sheets, lamb’s wool duvets and mohair blanket.

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 or prearrange a hike up Kompasberg mountain or through the Canyon on one of the surrounding farms.

The area around Nieu Bethesda is good for either a leisurely ride or a challenging ride for serious mountain bikers. Wake up early to conquer one of the two mountain bike routes in the area or stroll around town exploring the many galleries and eateries dotted around the village.