Frances Baard: Experience diamond history and culture

The Vaal River flows through the Frances Baard District Municipality. Barkly West, Kimberley and Hartswater offer different sightseeing highlights: diamond mining and early archaeology, memorials and museums, and the history of the Vaalharts irrigation system. When planning a hotel stay, it is worth first organising the themes and places you want to visit. In Kimberley, the memorial, museum and historic walking trails take centre stage; Barkly West brings together a customs house museum, church and archaeological sites; Hartswater offers an introduction to the history of the irrigation system.

Diamond history and early archaeology

The visitor centre at The Big Hole site tells the multifaceted story of diamond mining: the people who searched for diamonds, the tools they used and the prosperity that followed. The Big Hole South Africa site is wheelchair accessible.

The museum in Barkly West is housed in a customs house restored in 2000. Its exhibitions cover local geology, archaeology and history. At Canteen Kopje, near Barkly West, the focus is on early hand-axe industries: an open-air exhibition explains their significance more than a million years ago. The District’s cultural history therefore spans topics from diamond mining to a much earlier period of human history.

In Barkly West, licensed prospectors continue to sift sand and gravel from the Vaal River in search of diamonds. This activity is accessible only as part of guided tours; confirm their availability before your trip. Also in Barkly West is St Mary’s Anglican Church. Built in 1871, it was the first church on the diamond fields.

Gong-Gong Waterfall is one of the attractions in the Frances Baard District. The Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre is located nearby. It belongs to the !Xun and Khwe communities and is an important source of income and employment for them.

Memorials and walking trails in Kimberley

The Honoured Dead Memorial in Kimberley was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and erected on commission from C. J. Rhodes. It commemorates those who defended Kimberley during the siege. The McGregor Museum showcases natural history and the Siege of Kimberley; it also includes a religious hall and the Ancestors Gallery. There you will find displays covering three million years of human history in the Northern Cape. The memorial and museum thus offer different perspectives: commemoration of Kimberley’s defenders and a broad natural and cultural history.

Two named trails offer a way to explore Kimberley’s history on foot. The Belgravia Historical Walk takes you to 33 of the city’s most historically significant sites. The Great Kimberley North Walk leads to 42 more points of interest. Check maps and access arrangements locally.

Kimberley’s historic tram also adds to the picture of the city’s history. It was introduced in 1887 and refurbished to enhance the visitor experience. Rides can be booked at the Big Hole; check the timetable before your trip.

Hartswater and the Vaalharts Valley

Hartswater was established in 1934 as a town for the northern section of the Vaalharts irrigation system. The Women’s Memorial in Hartswater is a small brick church with stained-glass windows and a sculpted relief. It honours the role of women in society.

In the Vaalharts Valley, the Frances Baard District offers agritourism experiences. Check before your trip which individual experiences may be available during your visit. Hartswater’s history and the valley’s agricultural experiences offer two different starting points for planning: learning about the town’s origins and exploring activities in its surroundings.

Discover more destinations: Barkly West, Kimberley, Hartswater, Kgalagadi, Siyanda, Diamandveld, Kalahari District Council, Benede Oranje

For the main travel overview: Northern Cape.