Booking your lodging in Bedfordview places you arguably in the centre of the action and close to some of Johannesburg’s top hotels, where millions of tourists start their South African journeys. Other than Edenvale, Bedfordview is one of the Johannesburg suburbs that is most convenient to OR Tambo Airport, making it a great choice for business travellers who only need to visit the city for a short time.
Aside from that, anyone may find peace and quiet in this area of Johannesburg, east of the city centre, thanks to the tree-lined streets and beautiful gardens with an abundance of bird life. The lively CBC in Johannesburg is approximately 15 minutes away from Bedfordview (downtown Johannesburg).
The inner city is not just the city’s historical core, but also one of several areas that are being revitalized in an effort to restore Johannesburg’s inner city to its previous economic and cultural glories. The goal is to make the inner city a clean, green, and secure area for both locals and visitors.
In close proximity to a number of shopping centres, including the legendary Eastgate with its countless stores, entertainment options, and top-notch dining establishments, is the leafy suburb of Bedfordview. Another nearby centre is the Bruma Lake flea market, which was created by turning an old sewerage catchment area into a lakeside market, mall, and commercial parks. With at least 600 traders, there are plenty of options, making it a wonderful spot to pass away in a few hours.
In the centre of Bedfordview, Gillooly’s farm is probably only known to Jo’burgers. The area is like a farm in the centre of the city, and locals love to picnic there by the lake under the shade of the trees because of the peaceful setting. From here, you can see the northern suburbs and the Kensington valley in some gorgeous detail.
Bedfordview Map
Street-level detail map of Bedfordview highlighting the neighbourhood features and notable locations, such as Bruma Lake and Gillooly’s Interchange. Bedfordview is an ideal location for business travellers who only need to visit the city for a short time because it is one of Johannesburg’s closest suburbs to OR Tambo Airport. Bedfordview is an affluent suburb in western Ekurhuleni, sharing an administrative boundary with the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng, South Africa.
History Of Bedfordview
The farm Elandsfontein occupied a substantial portion of the Bedfordview property, which was managed as a component of the Potchefstroom District in the South African Republic. As a nod to the early rural origins of the town, an Eland is seen holding a fountain on Bedfordview’s coat of arms. Large-scale changes were brought about by the Witwatersrand Gold Reef. Since the mineral rights were the reason for the purchase, Elandsfontein was later divided into smaller farms and smallholdings, many of which were occupied by former miners. Geldenhuis Estates Smallholdings was the name given to the entire region.
Sir George Herbert Farrar, a randlord who was instrumental in organizing the disastrous Jameson Raid, one of the primary factors leading to the Second Anglo-Boer War, held one of these ranches. Parts of the old farm can still be seen in St Andrews’ School. His property, Bedford, was situated in the modern-day St Andrews area. The farm was given the name Bedford after Sir Farrar’s hometown in England. It appears that the raid’s planning took place at a modest home nearby the farm. The sole official grave in the town is that of Sir George, who is interred in Milner Avenue, adjacent to the school.
The oak trees along Van Buuren Ave. were reportedly planted during the war when British cavalry had a base in Bedfordview. Another tradition is that an Indian Rajah who served with the unit died and was interred in Bedfordview while wearing full regalia, including a sword adorned with jewels. A contest led to the creation of the name “Bedfordview.” The winner of the contest decided Bedford Farm had a pleasant view. Then, the two-word phrase “Bedford View” was registered. The name has become a single word over time. The suburb’s name became official on February 24, 1926.
The tiny holding had grown into a little community by 1932. On July 26, 1928, the first Bedfordview Scout Troop was established. A government school and a post office were also present. But there were serious health issues. The school’s headmaster, Bill Stewart, said that sewage from Malvern East would flow down Van Buuren Road and that piggeries and other fields produced swarms of flies.
Residents were asked if they preferred to join Johannesburg or Germiston when it was suggested that the area join a municipality to address the issue. However, becoming a municipality would involve paying rates and taxes, so the locals decided to form a health committee to address the issue. The Bedfordview Village Council and then the Bedfordview Town Council were formed from this later.
Things To Do In Bedfordview
Visit Bedford Centre
There are many stores to browse at the 62 000m2 Bedford Centre in Johannesburg, which has just undergone restructuring. This area in Bedfordview is home to more than 130 shops, as well as a variety of eateries where you can have a great treat or visit one of the two movie theatres (one of which is a Cinema Nouveau). The parking area has 3000 secure spaces. The Piazza, an outdoor courtyard surrounded by eateries, connects the centres to the east and west wings.
See Gillooly’s Farm
An oasis of calm and retreat from the hectic pace of Johannesburg, often known as the City of Gold, can be found at Gillooly’s Farm. It is located in the affluent East Rand community of Bedfordview. This region of Gauteng, South Africa, is well-known for its commercial, industrial, and retail establishments. In spite of the commotion, it also offers amazing natural resources, as Gillooly’s Farm attests.
Despite only 44 hectares, this refuge has grown to be well-known among both residents and frequent visitors. Everyone enjoys it for its walking trails, where you can see a variety of bird species and take in the fresh air and warm South African sun. The white stork, white-breasted cormorant, African darter, grey heron, egret, Egyptian goose, reed cormorant, house sparrow, yellow-billed duck, and Cape wagtail are just a few of the more than 50 species of birds that may be seen here.
Sharptooth catfish, blue kurper, and common carp live in the artificial lake at Gillooly’s, which increases the natural area’s richness and attraction.
Dave Brew
The creator of the beers, Dave (Levinsohn) Brew, is dedicated to producing top-notch brews that may be enjoyed on a hot day with friends. They are straightforward, genuine, and impart a sense of carefree joy to the drinker (which Dave Brew puts down to the endorphins stirred by all things funny and fabulous).
Seasonal flavours are included in the Dave Brew lineup. Since these beers are handcrafted from the finest ingredients rather than being mass produced, their availability is based on the climate and the hop crops.