From Wikitravel

Ladybrand is a city in the Free State, South Africa.

The town is half sleepy Free State farming town and half an expat refuge for workers in nearby Lesotho. The town´s economy is very dependent on Maseru (the Lesotho capital), many development workers and factory owners live here and commute across the border daily. Due to this Ladybrand supports several excellent restaurants, a good supermarket and other businesses to cater for the expat Rand.

[edit] Get in

Ladybrand is a 15 minute drive from Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. Its about 4 hours from Johannesburg, and 1.5 hours from Bloemfontein

[edit] Get around

A pair of shoes is all you need.

[edit][add listing] See

The sandstone church in the centre of town is the main landmark. There is an old airstrip runway that makes for a nice perspective photo. As with many eastern Free State towns there are some pleasing old houses dotted around.

[edit][add listing] Do

There are some nice walks around the edge of town - head west towards the hills behind Ladybrand. You can also play a round of golf at the club, horse ride, paintball, and other things, ask in the tourist information office.

[edit][add listing] Buy

For those reading this page before taking up a job in Maseru its worth noting that in general the prices of goods are the same or cheaper in Ladybrand, especially for white goods and furniture, however delivery charges may well exceed the savings compared to purchasing things in Maseru.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Imperio Robertos (behind Shoprite) is perhaps the best restaurant in town, fantastic steaks, pasta and pizza dishes, nice atmosphere and friendly owner (Roberto) make for a consistently pleasant dining experience.
• Cranberry Cottage, [1]. More of a guesthouse than restaurant - but the food is very good and the setting perfect for an intimate dinner. Need to book in advance as they start cooking the food before you arrive.
• De Vine (on the far side of the Church) is the new upstart in town, ambitious wine list and refreshingly different menu from most Free State eateries makes this a good option. Time will tell if it will outshine the competition given the high prices on the menu.
• Beef & Reef (opposite Spar) caters more for the Afrikaaner crowd - steak, fish and chips.
• Fish Cafe (opposite the Church) offers a selection of seafood and fish, nice atmosphere and friendly owner (Munshi).
• Spizzy Pizza (near the church) used to be a fantastic cozy little Italian place serving great pizzas. The pizzas are still good but the curiously stark grey interior is a little off-putting.

• As you can see Ladybrand is the best option for eating for those based in Maseru.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Cheaters (opposite Spar) offers the best place for a drink. In summer Spizzy Pizza makes a good place to sip a beer under the veranda, watching the sun set behind the church.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• My Housy Guesthouse, [2]
• Cranberry Cottage, [3]
• Fort Amity, [4]

Its worth noting that Ladybrand offers considerably better accommodation than Maseru. You will you pay a lot more for a worse room in Maseru. Compare the Lesotho Sun (R700+ per night) with Cranberry Cottage (R350) for example.

[edit] Get out

Explore Lesotho via Maseru. Head north to Clarens. Head west to Bloemfontein.

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