The Cape Winelands are rich with sights to see and things to do. Explore Stellenbosch and its surrounds, or take a day trip to Franschhoek or Cape Town.
Stellenbosch, a leisurely 15-minute drive away and the nearest town to Hawksmoor House, is a place of great beauty and historical interest. The second-oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town, it is also one of the best preserved, with a mix of architectural styles, including Cape Dutch, Georgian, Regency and Victorian. Home to one of South Africas oldest universities, Stellenbosch is the Cape Winelands´ most interesting and lively town with numerous restaurants, bars, shops and galleries.
A drive to Franschhoek, 40 minutes away, takes you over the historic Helshoogte (Hell’s Heights) pass, and through the breathtakingly beautiful Banghoek (Scared Corner) Valley, a route which just happens to be at the intersection of some of the best-known Cape Wine Routes. In Franschhoek, you’re spoilt for choice with restaurants, bars, shops and galleries.
Day trips in the Winelands can include food tours, wine tours, and tours on a bike, helicopter, Segway or even a sidecar! Speak to our lodge manager to make your booking.
Cape Town also has a wealth of cultural and sightseeing opportunities for all ages. Some of our top picks:
• Open-top Red Bus Tour: the best way to see Cape Town without having to worry about traffic or having a glass of wine at lunch, is the hop-on-hop-off red open top bus. Save time and buy tickets online.
• The Table Mountain Cable Car: Take a breathtaking trip up to the top of the famous mountain. Book tickets online – they’re valid for 7 days from purchase so you can pick your best weather opportunity.
• The Aquarium at the Waterfront has a wide variety of displays and is very family-friendly and accessible.The Cape Wheel at the Waterfront (our version of the London Eye) is a lovely experience.
• The Planetarium just off Orange Street has great show programmes for all ages. Just next door is the Museum.
• Camps Bay Beach has umbrellas and loungers for hire, and VERY COLD water, but is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon. There are loads of cafes and good seafood restaurants just across the road.
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are a delight for young and old alike: there are restaurants, shops and galleries to visit as you take a shady walk through the world-renowned gardens. In summer, the Kirstenbosch Summer Concert Series brings an international and local music programme to the gardens every Sunday evening: pack a picnic and enjoy a sunset and a bottle of wine while you listen to some great music. They also have a 150m long aerial walkway through the Arboretum, home to over 450 indigenous trees.
• Township Cultural Tour: This full- or half-day, multi-cultural tour of Cape Town will provide fascinating insights and the opportunity for authentic interaction with the City’s different communities. Book through your lodge manager.
• Mount Nelson Afternoon Tea: The Mount Nelson Hotel is a prominent hallmark of extravagance and indulgence in Cape Town. Its afternoon tea buffet is famous throughout the world! Book through your lodge manager.
• False Bay Whale Watching: The western half of False Bay is one of the finest boat based whale watching sites in the country. They visit each year between June & November. Book through your lodge manager.
• Vine Hopper Wine Tours :Take a tour through the Winelands in Stellenbosch. Choose your degree of fun by selecting the route on which you would like to travel.
• Guided Bike Tours : A fully guided cycle around the historic town of Stellenbosch. Learn about the history and culture of the “City of Oaks” from our experienced tour guides.