10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Somerset West
From the second oldest surviving bridge in the country to a church that has its origins in a wine cellar, Somerset West has a rich and colourful history well worth exploring.
Here are 10 fascinating fact about our beloved corner of the Cape:
Somerset West was founded in 1822 on part of the historic farm, Vergelegen. The large estate is home to an 18th-century farmhouse built by Willem Adriaan van der Stel in the historic Cape Dutch style as well as an array of glorious gardens.
The town was named after Lord Charles Henry Somerset, the British governor of the Cape Colony from 1814 to 1826. The suffix “West” was added after 1825 to differentiate it from Somerset East in the Eastern Cape.
Founded on 1 February 1700, Vergelegen Estate stands as a beacon of historical splendour amidst its ancient vineyards and beautiful gardens. Vergelegen has evolved into a world-class wine estate, one of many estates in and around Somerset West.
The old bridge over the Lourens River built in 1845, is the second oldest surviving bridge in the country.
Hottentots Holland was the first mountain range crossed when the Great Trek started in 1835.
Hottentots Holland derived its name from the ‘Hollanders’ (aka Dutch settlers) settling there next to the ‘Hottentots’ (a name historically used for the Khoekhoe people).
In the 1830s, Sir Lowry's Pass, named after later governor Sir Lowry Cole, was constructed to allow ox wagons easier passage from Somerset West to outposts further east over the Hottentots-Holland mountains.
The Playhouse Theatre, founded in 1947, is one of the oldest dramatic societies in the Western Cape and arguably the largest arts platform in the Helderberg basin. It is a beacon of cultural vibrancy well-loved and supported by locals.
Helderberg Nature Reserve, established in 1960, spans 398 hectares on the southern slopes of the Helderberg mountains. The reserve is home to eight hiking trails, ranging in distance and difficulty to appeal to a variety of hiking tastes. During the sunshine summer months, the Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve organises music concerts showcasing the best in local talent. For more information on upcoming events, check out their Facebook page: Friends of Helderberg Nature Reserve.
Built in the Gothic Revival style, the Somerset West Methodist Church is one of the town’s oldest churches and a classic landmark. It was restored in 2014 after collapsing sometime in 2010. The original building was once a wine cellar, and, at the time of the emancipation of slaves in the area, it was converted by Barnabas Shaw into a building fit for religious worship.
