Somerset West is overlooked by the imposing Helderberg ( meaning ‘ clear mountain’ a part of the Hottentots Holland range of mountains. The land was originally bought from local tribes and a cattle post established in Somerset West by Dutch Soldiers in 1672.
- Visit the Vergelegen Wine Estate which is home to a unique wine cellar and wine manufacture process. Be sure to stop off at Lady Philips Tea Garden for lunch !
- The beaches of Gordans Bay and Strand are very pretty and have warmer water than many Cape Town beaches. Visit the aptly named Bikini Beach !
- During the Whale Season the Whales huge the cliffs of Gordan’s Bay and it’s a great place to see these majestic mammals
- Take a drive up Sir Lowry’s Pass and stop at the top to admire the view of Somerset West.
- A little less well known than Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl – but still in the heart of the winelands.
Oftentimes Somerset West gets forgotten when it comes to the winelands, however being home to some great hotels, famous wine estates and spectacular scenery it’s a great pity. The area is also a lot more affordable than other wine land destinations and for guests looking for value for money, then Somerset West is a great choice. Somerset West has it all, mountains, vineyards, miles of beaches and also within striking distance of Cape Town and the rest of the Winelands.
Somerset West was originally named after Lord Charles Henry Somerset who was a former English Governor of the Cape Colony during the 1800’s. The suffix ‘ West’ was added after 1825 to differentiate it from Somerset East, another South African Town in the Eastern Cape.
The road that links Somerset West with the outposts further east over the Hottentots Holland mountains is called Sir Lowry’s Pass, this was named after Sir Lowry Cole who was also a Governor of the Cape.
The most famous resident of Somerset West is arguably Willem Adriaan van der Stel. Willem Adriaan was also a governor of the Cape and the son of Simon van der Stel who gave his name to the nearby town of Stellenbosch. Willem Adriaan van der Stel built a farmhouse around the Lourens River and called it Vergelegen. Willem Adriaan was sent back to Holland after being charged with corruption and cruelty to local farmers. Today Vergelegen Wine Estate is owned by Anglo American and has been restored to its former glory, the estate continue to makes some of South Africa’s best wines. Be sure to include a trip to Vergelegen if you are in the area.
Somerset West lies within easy reach of several beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean and lying within False Bay. The nearest, the beach at Strand, approximately 6km from the centre of Somerset West, is popular with those having young children and holiday makers, as is Gordan’s Bay, a quaint village and innocent attractions.
