Evidence still being unearthed today, shows that the area in which Ladybrand is situated has been full of life throughout the centuries.  Located on the N8, 130 kilometres east of Bloemfontein, and 15kilometres from the Caledon Bridge which serves as the main border post between South Africa and Lesotho, Ladybrand is also known as “The gateway to Lesotho”.

Nestling in a beautiful mountain landscape in an area rich in prehistoric art, Ladybrand with its fine examples of sand stone buildings is particularly picturesque. The town was founded in 1867 after the Basotho Wars and serves the thriving agricultural community surrounding it, set as it is in the sunflower and wheat belt of the Free State.

The Catharina Museum in the town houses interesting collections of tools dating back to the Stone Age and locally discovered fossils.

The well known 18 kilometre Visser Hiking Trail takes the Ladybrand visitor through the magnificent countryside and includes ancient sites of rock art. Mountain Biking and horse back riding are also popular activities offered in Ladybrand.