Subsequent to Governor WA van der Stel naming this beautiful valley Het Land van Waveren in 1699, several farms were allocated to immigrants from Europe. In 1875 the railway line from Wellington up to the farm Goedgevonden was completed and this point was called Ceres Road Station. This became an important link between the Cape and the Kimberley diamond fields, by means of stage coaches.

The first residential stands were offered for sale in the same year and in 1910 the town was named Wolseley, after Sir Garnet Wolseley, the British Governor of Natal.

After the town was established, new industries were founded: the Waverley Wool washing Establishment made the well-known Waverley blankets, but was closed down in 1936. In 1970 Brenn-o-Kem started producing cream of tartar.

A scenic view of the
Mosterthoek Mountain

It is the only factory of its kind in South Africa. A wheat mill was founded on the farm Artois (later the South African Milling Company, until 1948). The Forestry Station, Kluitjieskraal, originated and is known as SAFCOL today. Elro Furniture Factory was incorporated in 1036 and is still producing fine furniture.

The Breede River originates
in Wolseley's mountains

A blockhouse, remnant
of the Anglo Boer War

Wolseley is situated in the picturesque Breede River Valley, 14 kilometres from Tulbagh, 15 kilometres from Ceres, 40 kilometres from Worcester and one and a haft hours' drive from Cape Town. Wolseley is blessed with ample water and is surrounded by the majestic Waaihoek, Witsen and Waterval Mountains — they are often covered in a blanket of snow in the winter. The town may be approached by four passes — the Nuwekloof, Bainskloof, Du Toitskloof and Mitchell's pass.

A richness in fruit is found in and around Wolseley

This regions offers practically all kinds of farming, such as fruit, vegetable, wheat, dairy, sheep and cattle farming. Interesting activities and ventures include pottery, the drying of wild flowers and a furniture factory.