About Donkin Street Houses
Just over the road from the Donkin Reserve is Donkin Road. It's a hill that runs down towards the harbour and at its crest lie a series of Victorian terraced houses that have become famous.
Did you know? What makes the Donkin Street Houses so appealing is their Victorian and Georgian features. The five that face the Donkin Reserve have become a landmark. The row was built over a number of years, and those right down the bottom of the hill are the oldest, if the most dilapidated.
The houses, built somewhere between 1860 and 1880 have been much photographed and painted by artists. Something about each house being lower than the one that precedes it so that they form an integrated unit of stepped roofs makes them attractive.
That, and the fact that they have been restored as part of what is now known as the Donkin Village (even if their restoration has been criticised by historians as 'heavy handed' and not in keeping with the Eastern Cape Regency style that made them so unique).
Behind them are another series of similar houses, aimed at creatives to use as their place of work, and a restaurant looked as though it would move into another of the buildings just across from The Hill Presbyterian Church when we were last there.
The buildings form part of the Donkin Heritage Trail, linking 51 places of historical interest in the heart of Port Elizabeth. You can pick up a detailed booklet at the Donkin Reserve's tourist information building to use for a self-guided walk.
Need to Know
WhereDonkin Street Houses, Donkin Street, Donkin Reserve, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours.
OvernightStay in Port Elizabeth Accommodation, Eastern Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested in
Attractions near Central Hill
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Port Elizabeth

The Grand Hotel
Located in central Port Elizabeth, the hotel is close to attractions such as the Donkin Reserve, the Opera House as well as the beautiful beaches...

The Harbour Masters House
Island Vibe -The Harbour Masters House offers accommodation in a newly revamped heritage-style building with vintage finishes in keeping with the...

23 On Glen Guest House
23 on Glen offers bed & breakfast accommodation in seven comfortable rooms in central Port Elizabeth. All rooms have a TV with DStv, Wi-Fi and te...

Taunton Cottage
Taunton Cottage is a secure self-catering cottage centrally located in the tree-lined upper avenues of fashionable Walmer. Enjoy the green vistas...

Walmer Heights Guest House
Walmer Heights Guest House offers quality accommodation suited to both holidaymakers and business travellers. From here you are close to many pop...

Carslogie House
Carslogie House is located in the upmarket beachfront suburb of Summerstrand, only 200 meters from Port Elizabeth's famous beaches and a short wa...

Sea Otters Lodge
Enjoy peace and tranquillity at Sea Otters Lodge whilst listening to the breaking waves. All our bedrooms are sea facing with sea views and direc...

Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes
Stretching from fynbos covered peaks to Karoo thicket; Kleinrivier is bisected by two rivers, each cutting a deep gorge through the mountains. Em...

Goodnight Accommodation
Goodnight Accommodation is located in a secure setting among delightful landscaped gardens. The comfortable accommodation is within close proximi...
Things to do in the area

Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra
If you enjoy the smooth sounds of classical music, then you should not miss the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in action at the stunning Fea...

No 7 Castle Hill
No 7 Castle Hill was completed in 1830 and is now regarded as one of the oldest surviving settler cottages in Port Elizabeth. The interior presen...

Port Elizabeth Library
The gorgeous building of the Port Elizabeth Main Library is found in the north-west corner of Market Square in Port Elizabeth. The building was o...

Café Zanzibar
Café Zanzibar is a trendy spot, popular amongst the young up-and-coming crowd of Central, Port Elizabeth. Situated in Parliament Street, it is pe...

Mannville Open Air Theatre
Every year the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival stages an open-air production of one of the works of William Shakespeare, at the Mannville o...

The Coffee Society
Coffee Society is a little meeting spot that has become quite the favourite amongst locals. It is comfortable and inviting. The coffee is good an...

Natti's Thai Kitchen
Natti’s Thai Kitchen has been a Port Elizabeth institution for more than a decade, having earned a respected reputation for its outstanding and a...

Old Austria
The Old Austria Restaurant is a tribute to the charm and elegance of eating out as it was generations ago. It is conveniently situated on Westbou...

Stage Door Restaurant
The Phoenix Hotel, which houses the Stage Door Restaurant, is the oldest in Port Elizabeth. History permeates every aspect of this institution, n...
Accommodation convenient to Donkin Street Houses
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Eastern Cape Accommodation / Sunshine Coast Accommodation / Port Elizabeth Accommodation