Somerset West, Cape Helderberg
Somerset West is situated in the Hottentots Holland area, about a 30 minute drive from Cape Town along the N2 (national road). Close to Stellenbosch, this residential centre has a delightful setting and many of Somerset Wests residents commute to Cape Town daily. Somerset West was named after an English governor of the Cape Colony during the 1800s, Lord Charles Henry Somerset, with the suffix 'West' being added to differentiate it from Somerset East, another South African town in the Eastern Cape.
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 6 km from the centre of the town, is popular with families and holidaymakers.
Somerset West is home to the wine farm, Vergelegen, an impressive 18th century farmhouse built in Cape Dutch style. The farm is now owned by a subsidiary of the large mining company Anglo American, who have restored the farmhouse to its original magnificence and continue to produce some of South Africa's best wines there.
Another Christmas tradition, Somerset West is know for its annual display of Christmas lights along the Main Road. Every year people come from all over the country to drive slowly down the Main Road to see the brilliant display of glimmering lights, bells, angels, reindeer, candles and a lot more! The Helderberg Lights Festival (also known as the Strawberry Festival) traditionally complements these lights when the Main Road is closed off in the evening, and floats, parades and flea market stalls are lined up under the lights. A wonderful outing for the whole family!
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Somerset West
Erinvale Golf Course
Host of the 1996 World Cup of Golf in which thirty two participating nations competed. This is an estate course of two distinctly different nines. The front nine is on the flat, winding between the many houses in this part of the estate, while the back nine climbs up the lower slopes of the magnificent ... more information
Helderberg Wine Route
The 25 members of the Helderberg route follow distinctly different methods of growing grapes, from a 300-year old historical cellar to state-of-the-art boutique wineries and visiting the wide range of family-owned estates and grand manor houses is a superb weekend or day’s outing. Helderberg wineries include ... more information
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
The 42,000 ha Reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch mountains in the west, eastwards to the Groenland mountains. The entrance to the reserve is at Nuweberg, situated high in Viljoen's Pass, between Grabouw and Villiersdorp. The ... more information
Somerset Mall
Somerset Mall offers 204 stores and everything it takes to give families from Somerset West through to Mossel Bay a safe, fun-filled entertainment environment, alongside a superior browsing and shopping experience. Somerset Mall provides the perfect mix for a good life. Find spoiling and surprises with ... more information
Somerset West Golf Course
Somerset West Golf Club is the oldest golf club in the area. It was officially founded in 1908. Until about 1985 the course was divided into 11 and 7 holes but with a change of the layout it became conventional. The greens are fairly large, and under bent grass they are always in a good condition. The course is ... more information
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Things To Do in Somerset West
Quad Rides in Somerset West
Where: Somerset West
How much (per person): R201 to R500
Kamazoo offers guided quad bike tours in the vineyards near Somerset West and in the forests and mountains near Grabouw. This is a great way ... more information
Relax at Ginko Spa at The Erinvale Hotel
Where: Somerset West
How much (per person): On Request
The Erinvale Estate Spa, situated on the property, is operated by the Ginkgo Spa and Wellness Group. The Ginkgo Spa and Wellness Group take ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Somerset West
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On Holiday in Somerset West
• Somerset West Map
• Things to Do in Somerset West
• Somerset West Accommodation
• Somerset West Hotels
• Helderberg Accommodation
• Helderberg Hotels
• Cape Winelands Accommodation
• Cape Winelands Hotels
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