Things to do & See
Somerset West is ideally placed in a central position on the Western Cape coast, with easy access inland to the Winelands. In order to help those guests who may not have visited South Africa or Somerset West before to plan their holidays, we have highlighted on the following pages some of the things you may want to do and see.
This is not by any means a complete travel guide but will hopefully start you off, and we have provided links to a few other sites to help you even more, and there are some more useful links on the Pepperwood page.
The Winelands
The Western Cape of South Africa is ideal for growing grapes, as well as most other fruit. Pepperwood is in the Helderberg wine region, and 20 minutes drive takes you to the world famous Stellenbosch, and another half an hour up to the Paarl & Franshoek valleys.
The list of wineries to visit is not quite endless, but almost, and as you shuttle from one to the next you will see plenty of magnificent scenery, with several spectacular mountain drives.
For the more adventurous still, the Worcester and Robertson regions are about one and a half hours away via Paarl, over the mountains or through the toll tunnel.
Cape Town
- Table Mountain - climb it or do it the easy way in the Cable Car, and then explore the top with fabulous views over the whole peninsula.
- The Lion's Head & Signal Hill - more climbing for the energetic, but the rewards at the top are well worth the effort.
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden - on the side of Table Mountain, a marvellous day out with weekend concerts in the summer. Not just for gardeners.
- The Aquarium with its fantastic kelp forest, sharks, manta rays and barracuda - a good way to identify the unfamiliar fish you will eat in the local restaurants!
- The Victoria & Alfred (no, not Albert) Waterfront - a shopping centre to rival any, and having a wide variety of restaurants, bars and clubs to cater to just about every taste.
- The bays including the fashionable Camps Bay and Hout Bay, the gateway to one of the most spectacular coastal mountain drives in the world - Chapman's Peak.
- The Cape Peninsula and Simonstown, Boulders Beach and the penguins.
- The Constantia wine region - Cape Town's own little wine region sits in an up market valley at the side of Table Mountain.
- The markets, Robben Island, Seal Island, and so much more
The Beaches
From Cape Town to Hermanus and beyond up to the Garden Route you will find some of the lovliest unspoilt beaches and coastline.
Hermanus is the whale watching capital of the Cape in September/October, where you can see Southern Right Whales and the occasional Humpback from the cliffs. The sea is generally pretty cold even in summer, but nearly all the beaches are clean golden sand, ideal for sunbathing, and surfing on the big Atlantic rollers and beachcombing are popular pastimes.
In the bays around the Cape Peninsula itself there are more places to explore, including Scarborough which is not at all like the UK version and has a great bar & restaurant with a veranda overlooking the sea. In season it makes a good place to sip a sundowner and watch the whales.
Golf
There are no fewer than 5 courses within 10 mins drive of Pepperwood, including one championship course (www.stellenboschgolfclub.com).
Erinvale Golf & Country Club is a typical upmarket golf estate course on the lower slopes (don't worry they're gentle slopes) of the Helderberg.
Strand is for those who like aqua-golf and enjoy losing golf balls in the special and plentiful magnetic water, and Stellenbosch is a championship course and past host of the South African Open which is demanding with beautiful scenery.
Helderberg Village Course can be seen from the house and is only 9 holes but with alternative tee positions it makes a pleasant 18. Somerset West course is a very old but not very good course - avoid! Many of the courses require a handicap certificate so check before you go.
For more information on individual courses as well as those in and around Cape Town & Hermanus follow this link: golf courses, go to 'Golf Course Information' and select 'Winelands' or 'Cape Town'.
Elephant Plains
On the way to Cape Town or perhaps the way home....
Stop off in Jo'burg, catch a flight up to Hoedspruit and another short hop over the African bush in a light aircraft takes you to Elephant Plains. A small private game reserve, part of the famous Sabi Sands area on the edge of the Kruger National Park, we discovered Elephant Plains in the 90's, have been back several times, and highly recommend a stay there. Etienne and his team are some of the most knowledgeable people regarding African wildlife we have ever met, and are all now good friends.
The pictures on this page were taken on our visits and you can see more here and here. Follow this link for more information.
