Pilgrims Rest
Pilgrims Rest
3
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3.0
713 reviews
Excellent
92
Very good
179
Average
196
Poor
123
Terrible
123
Kevan T
Pretoria193 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
After hearing that this historical village had been left to fall into disrepair and was overrun with street stall keepers we made the visit with some trepidation.
Although certainly not to its former glory it was looking considerably better than we had anticipated.
Grass was being cut, stall owners were grouped in small sheds, QR tourist info signs were up by some of the buildings. and there was a general sense of the town trying to do better.
We hope that it continues and the tourists will be encouraged to return.
Although certainly not to its former glory it was looking considerably better than we had anticipated.
Grass was being cut, stall owners were grouped in small sheds, QR tourist info signs were up by some of the buildings. and there was a general sense of the town trying to do better.
We hope that it continues and the tourists will be encouraged to return.
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nvtu
Jersey, UK117 contributions
Jan 2023
Very disappointed with a visit to Pilgrimsrest. Impossible to park your car without being hassled by parking ‘attendants’. These individuals washed my car (it didn’t need washing) and then tried to gouge me R190 for the privilege. 1. I didn’t ask for my car to be washed. 2. Why am I harassed in this fashion? I have never experienced this treatment anywhere else in SA. Advice: avoid Pilgrimsrest.
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zorabeekhan59
Durban, South Africa594 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Stopped here for breakfast. Visited here 25 years ago. One of the few places thats kept in pristine condition, preserved, very well maintained, neat and tidy.
We walked the town looking and marvelling the antiques and all old machinery. Everything is kept so well. Its like a time zone change into an era long gone. A beautiful tribute to pioneer miners, their innovations, the hardships of their travels, their families and documenting their history for generations to come.
Well done to these committees and communities.
My only grouse was that the overseas tourists were not encouraged by their guides to support the locals, talk to the craftsmen and takepics and showcase them
Locals are desperate for monies please support them
We walked the town looking and marvelling the antiques and all old machinery. Everything is kept so well. Its like a time zone change into an era long gone. A beautiful tribute to pioneer miners, their innovations, the hardships of their travels, their families and documenting their history for generations to come.
Well done to these committees and communities.
My only grouse was that the overseas tourists were not encouraged by their guides to support the locals, talk to the craftsmen and takepics and showcase them
Locals are desperate for monies please support them
Written 10 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anaisbotesclaasen
3 contributions
Oct 2020
Very pretty, a must see. But almost everything was closed when we visited, it was during the week, and I'm assuming this town is more alive on a weekend. We were literally the only people there, was quite an interesting experience
Had a good breakfast at the Royal Hotel, affordable and delicious
I would suggest go on a weekend.
Had a good breakfast at the Royal Hotel, affordable and delicious
I would suggest go on a weekend.
Written 21 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nickytravels
East London, South Africa488 contributions
Sept 2021
Keep an eye on the time when visiting everything closes very early!
The old town is clean and neat. Building are well preserved. Everything was closed when we arrived at 16h00 but we spent a happy hour wondering about without spending any money.
The old town is clean and neat. Building are well preserved. Everything was closed when we arrived at 16h00 but we spent a happy hour wondering about without spending any money.
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StellaJ09
Mossel Bay, South Africa894 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Pilgrims Rest is not just preserving the history of South Africa it is also a beautiful little town . Re-visiting 33 years later I was once again reminded why I fell in love with this special place. A definate must see when in the area.
Written 27 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
praveena C
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa5 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
A visit to the previously famous Pilgrims Rest was an absolute disappointment and not worth the long journey it took to reach there .I had been there Yeats ago and it was authentic ,informative and shed light on South Africa's history .
It is currently just some houses that has become commercialized with African art work and crafts being sold .
It is utterly sad that such a historic place is now so far removed from what it used to be
Definitely not worth a visit .
It is currently just some houses that has become commercialized with African art work and crafts being sold .
It is utterly sad that such a historic place is now so far removed from what it used to be
Definitely not worth a visit .
Written 2 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NomadicTrix
Bergville, South Africa112 contributions
Nov 2021
We hadn't visited Pilgrims Rest for some time and were very pleased to see that many of the buildings have been repainted and restored since our last visit - the town has definitely regained some of its old world charm and character! We love that the buildings along the main road have been kept in their original style and transport you to a different era of gold mining, general dealers and enjoying a drink at the Royal Hotel.
It was also good to see that some of the firm favourites are still there, like the Royal Hotel, Pilgrim's Pantry for pancakes and coffee and the local pottery shop. However, we were also disappointed that most of the general dealers are selling cheap junk from China rather than the hand-crafted, artisan goods they used to.
It was also good to see that some of the firm favourites are still there, like the Royal Hotel, Pilgrim's Pantry for pancakes and coffee and the local pottery shop. However, we were also disappointed that most of the general dealers are selling cheap junk from China rather than the hand-crafted, artisan goods they used to.
Written 27 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lue L
Johannesburg, South Africa17 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
We went off season, most of the show were closed. The place is not like it use to be, it needs a renovation. There was load shedding so we could not buy ice cream or anything ice cold. Some of the shops were run down.
Written 13 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curious61793554781
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
Sadly the heyday of Pilgrims Rest is gone. It no longer has that old mining town feel which was the entire theme and purpose of this once fine museum. Its more an African curio place. No point in going there anymore.
Written 25 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where do i get taxis to pilgrims rest from Johannesburg town and where do i get off?
Written 25 November 2019
I’m sorry I do not know the answer. It’s a long way from j’berg. We self drove.
There were small coach parties stopping off in pilgrims rest so maybe that’s an option.
Written 2 December 2019
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