Linden, Johannesburg

Nestled in the foothills of Northcliff Hill, Linden is one of the prettiest and oldest suburbs of Johannesburg, lying to the north west of the city centre between Emmarentia and Darrenwood. The leafy suburb lies predominantly on a slope, its pretty houses, many of which have been recently restored, positioned on a grid of numbered avenues and streets.

Linden is named after the Linden farm, which stood in this part of Johannesburg over a hundred years ago. The original farmhouse still exists somewhere in the heart of the suburb, restored to its former glory, the typical old-fashioned verandah, echoed in a number of homes in Linden, one of its major features. Partway down the slope of Linden, heading off towards Emmarentia, is Linden’s heated swimming pool, and the Emmarentia dam and Botanical gardens are well worth a visit at any time of the year, the grounds a wonderful green space to escape city pressures. In fact, Linden lies almost encircled by green parkland of some description - most of them bird sanctuaries and parklands - that makes staying here such a peaceful experience.

Trendy Greenside is just around the corner from Linden, and Greenway and Gleneagles Road, the hip suburb’s high streets, are lined with restaurants, antique and art décor shops that have transformed this part of Johannesburg into one of the best kept secrets in the city.