5 Somerset West Hidden Gems

4 Apr

Just a remote suburb of the Mother City? Think again! Somerset West has a wealth of amazing experiences to offer. Here are a few favourites in and around the Village Collective hub.

1. Somerset West Village Garden

The green heart of the Village Collective, Somerset West Village Garden (SWVG) is a community project where the simple act of growing vegetables builds camaraderie, brings dignity and revitalises urban space.

Located at 41 New Street, the garden was established in 2015 by a small group of passionate local gardeners who were inspired to make a difference in the lives of Somerset West’s unemployed and homeless.

Initially, the idea was simply to create a community vegetable garden that would provide fresh food to those in need, but it quickly grew into a multifaceted project with the restoration of dignity through employment, ablutions and nutrition at its core.

Apart from the wonderful way in which SWVG has enriched the lives of those in need, it also adds value to the community as a whole by offering residents the opportunity to buy delicious, fresh organic vegetables at the weekly harvest day (Tuesdays from 9am to 12pm).

2. The Playhouse Theatre

Calling all lovers of the performing arts! The Playhouse Theatre in Somerset West is home to the Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society, one of the oldest community theatre organisations within the Western Cape.

Apart from inhouse productions, the theatre also hosts a variety of comedy, music and dance shows.

3. Picturesque wine estates

The Helderberg region is home to some of South Africa’s most beautiful wine farms and best-loved wines. While most of these farms are located on the outskirts of Somerset West, you will find Lourensford, Morgenster and Vergelegen nestled into the foothills, just a stone’s throw from the Village Collective hub.

All three of these estates boast magnificent gardens, exquisite dining experiences and, of course, delicious wines that can be sampled and purchased at their respective tasting rooms. If child-friendly locations are a priority, Vergelegen has a lovely outdoor play area and Lourensford offers a variety of experiences, including Artjamming, putt-putt and mountain biking.

4. Helderberg Nature Reserve

Get your fix of fresh air and boost those endorphins with a visit to the Helderberg Nature Reserve.

Ranging in distance and difficulty, there are eight hiking trails winding along the fynbos-rich slopes to explore. Not feeling up to a hike? That’s okay too! Unroll a blanket in the leafy picnic area and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature around you.

The reserve is located just a few kilometres from the Somerset West CBD, so be sure to come and reward your efforts with a delicious coffee, a tasty smoothie, an ice cold beer or a crisp glass of wine in town.

5. Coffee Cafe Culture

Somerset West boasts an abundance of coffee shops, so skip the malls and get your caffeine fix right here in the village.

A few of our favourites are The Modelist at 139 Main road. They’re all about slow and sustainable living and design, supporting local designers and artisans. They describe it as a refuge, retreat, a cocoon for those who seek inspiration and invite locals and visitors to slow down over a good coffee whilst reading a book, working remotely or browsing the collection of clothing made from sustainable fabric.

Drama street is fast becoming a hub of good eateries, bars and offers some fine coffee and eats at Spoon Bakery and Eatery. It was founded by two young chefs that have an enormous passion for great food, great coffee and great company. It started off as a small home-based bakery in Somerset-West and is now a favourite gathering place for coffee (and cake) lovers.

Just down the street you will find Somerset West’s own Bootlegger Coffee Company. It is a great location for good coffee and a light meal after a cycle at Lourensford or a morning of shopping in the village.

Coffee lovers are spoilt for choice with a number of coffee shops in Bright street. The Schoon Cafe is an intimate spot where the simple pleasure of good bread and coffee is celebrated. The recently opened Platō serves up a big selection of coffees made to satisfy all tastes. At the core of Plato lies the desire to foster communities, offering an intimate and contemporary haven to bond over an extraordinary cup of coffee.