Sedgefield

• Province: Western Cape
• Garden Route
• Coordinates:34°01′17″S 22°48′12″E
• Area:7.85 km2
• Municipality: Knysna

History of Sedgefield

Why Sedgefield?

Sedgefield was established on the farm Ruigtevlei, which was granted by Lord Charles Somerset to the widow Meeding.

When she died in 1878, the farm was divided up, and plots were bought by individual farmers, but it was eventually bought by the famous politician, farmer, and industrialist Henry Barrington, who named the area Sedgefield in honour of the town in England where his father was born. The town grew when the railway from George to Knysna was completed in 1928.

Sedgefield or Ruigtevlei

Kate Maurice (née Barrington) inherited the farm from her brother when he died in 1901. She sold it in 1911 to Salmon Terblans, who later sold part of it under the name Middelplaas, but this farm was reincorporated in 1926, and the possibility of proclaiming a town was investigated. The name Sedgefield was among several proposed names.

The fact that the name translated well to the Afrikaans Ruigtevlei and also that it was descriptive of the town’s environment was the decider. Families were attracted to the little town, which grew and became the”new winter resort” as it was advertised in the local paper. The railway connection in 1928 added to its growth. The town only got a postal service in 1940, and the road was completed only in 1947.

Water issues and desalination

Fresh water in the town is supplied from the nearby Karatara River. A municipal water extraction plant is run by the local Municipality. Unusually dry summers called for a desalination plant, which was erected in 2009 to make the town self-sufficient in terms of water supply.

The postcode for Sedgefield is 6573 and the licence plate prefix is CX

WEATHER IN SEDGEFIELD TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in Sedgefield

Things to see and do in Sedgefield

• Famous Wild Oats Farmers Market (Saturdays) and Scarab Village (daily).082 376 5020
• Spectacular beaches include Swartvlei, The Lagoon Mouth, Myoli, Cola, and Platbank.
• Water sports – yachting, windsurfing, board sailing, canoeing, water skiing, and wakeboarding.
• Hiking trails. Bird watching. Horse-riding.
• Art Society 083 218 2244
• Lagoon, rock, and surf fishing and bass fishing.
• Slow Festival Easter family festival in Africa’s only Cittaslow town! Village green
• Follow the Mosaic Route. Mosaics around town are part of a community upliftment project. The mosaic garden is a marine-themed Mosaic Park called “The Octopus Garden under the Sea”
• The River Mouth is a popular and safe place to swim.
• Chumani Township Tour runs from 10 am to 12 pm or 2 pm to 4 pm. Call Vusi at 0726808437
• Paragliding at Cloud 9  083 455 9480
• –Barrington Pass

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape, Regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

Useful Numbers

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities in and around

• Emergency Services

• Disaster management – 044 302 8911
• Police: 044 302 6702
• Fire: 044 349 2900  Fire chief 079-500 0220
• Ambulance: 10177 Provincial Ambulance – 044 382 5613, 044 302 8400

• Medical

• Closest hospital: Provincial Hospital Knysna – 044 302 8400
• Clinic: 044 343 1117
• Pharmacy; 044 343 1628

• Municipal & Utilities

• Water: Knysna Municipality – 044 302 6331
• Electricity: 044 302 6397
• Municipality; 044 343 1640 / 044 302 6500

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic Department: George Traffic Department-044 878 2400

• Community & Safety

• NSRI 087 094 9774
• SPCA: Garden route 044 878 1990
• Sedge Animal Matters – Chris 084 467 5555
• NSRI (Sea Rescue) – 082-990 5955

• Local Contacts and Community Resources 

• Post office;044 343 1638
• Library:044 302 6519 / 20
• Garden Route magazine  “The post” 082 331 1434
• Sedgefield Community Hall: 044 302 6327
• Smutsville Community Hall:  044 302 6327
• Tourism 044 343 2007   

• Schools in Sedgefield

• Laerskool-044 343 1650
•  Primary School Smutsville 0443432340
• Seabridge school 071 391 8179.
•  Academy of Excellence 083 446 5508