Bathurst
THE CRADLE OF THE SUNSHINE COAST
Beautiful, bountiful Bathurst is a fascinating little hamlet situated 15km from Port Alfred. It is an 1820 Settler village that survived turbulent times to emerge today as a peaceful haven, showcasing an eclectic mix of old and new. Bathurst’s chief claim to fame is that it was (briefly) the administrative centre for the 1820 British Settlers who were established in the district as a buffer between the Cape colony and the Xhosa pastoralists. It was established by British Settlers in May 1820 and was named after Lord Bathurst, the British Colonial Secretary. Many of the original settler buildings have been preserved, and there remains much of the look and feel of an English village of the early 19th Century. The Pig and Whistle, at the heart of the village, is reputedly the oldest existent pub in the country. It was built in 1831 by Thomas Hartley, a blacksmith who came from Nottinghamshire with the Settlers. Later accommodation was added and it became known as the Bathurst Inn. Legend has it that it was nicknamed “The Pig & Whistle” by the men at the nearby 43 Air School in WWII. While time has moved slowly in Bathurst, there is an increasing population of artists, academics and retirees who have chosen to live in this tranquil environment.
