Ladybrand Attractions
Ladybrand lies at the foot of the Patberg, near the western border of Lesotho. The surrounding area, in which grain is now intensively cultivated, was already inhabited in prehistoric times, as is shown by the numerous rock paintings (many of them, unfortunately, poorly preserved). The town, founded in 1867, was named after Lady (Catharina) Brand, wife of Sir Johannes Brand, then President of the Orange Free State.
Ladybrand has a number of handsome sandstone buildings, including the Town Hall, the Dutch Reformed church and the secondary school.
Ladybrand has a number of handsome sandstone buildings, including the Town Hall, the Dutch Reformed church and the secondary school.
Catharina Brand Museum
The Catharina Brand Museum has a collection of interesting archaeological material and rock paintings.
Modderpoort Cave Church
10km/6mi from Ladybrand is the Modderpoort Cave Church, in which services were held from 1869 onwards. The cave was originally used by the Anglican Society of St Augustine both as a church and as a dwelling. The church now belongs to the Anglican Society of the Sacred Mission.
Rose Cottage Cave
3km/2mi outside Ladybrand is Rose Cottage Cave, where Bushman rock paintings and the ashes of a fire lit 50,000 years ago were found.
Steve Visser Hiking Trail
The Leiehoek Holiday Resort, to the south of Ladybrand, is the starting-point of the Steve Visser Hiking Trail, a rewarding two-day walk.
