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Wellington, steeped in history and tradition, has a magical atmosphere that will captivate you once you discover the town, its people and its myriad of attractions. Originally known as Limiet Vallei (border or frontier valley), the area became known as Val du Charron or Wagenmakersvallei (Valley of the Wagon Maker) towards the end of the 17th century when the French Huguenots settled here.
After the eventual establishment of the town in 1840, the name was changed to Wellington in honour of the renowned soldier and conqueror of Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo. Nestling at the foot of the Groenberg, the town lies in a picturesque valley on the banks of the Kromme River with the majestic Hawequa mountains, silent sentinels on its eastern border. The town is a mere 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town and within easy reach of all the other Boland towns. |
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Wellington is, of course, known for its educational institutions. Huguenot College, an institution of the Dutch Reformed Church, offers training to students in social, youth and missionary work. The Wellington Campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is the only one in the Western Cape Province to offer teacher training in the medium of Afrikaans.
Apart from fine cuisine and pleasant accommodation, visitors to the town can discover a magnificent legacy of historic buildings, may venture into breathtaking hikes or visit one of the cellars on the wine route for a relaxed wine tasting. Just a few of the reasons why a visit to Wellington should not be missed!
The Wellington Information Centre is housed in the Old Market Building which dates back to 1847. The bell in the adjoining clock tower dating from the same year, used to announce to the town's inhabitants that the day's marketing activities were about to start.
In later years the building was used by the first town council and eventually it served as a court room. After the Red Cross had used it as a storage depot for many years, the building was restored in 1993 and, once again, as in days gone by, town dwellers and visitors alike, gather to share in its warm and hospitable atmosphere.
Accommodation
To stay over in Wellington is to experience true hospitality. A wide variety of accommodation is available from double space elegant guest houses to self-catering flats and intimate little farm cottages where personal attention ensures a memorable stay.
There are a number of restaurants in the area, which are worth trying out.
The fact that the majority of South Africa's vine cutting nurseries are found in the Wellington area, is due to the excellent soils and climate of the region. Of course the town is also the home of the Wellington Wine Route and the wineries are all open for wine-tasting and sales.
Wellington also has a few hiking trails and scenic drives to be enjoyed. You get the Patatskloof Trail: A choice of several walking trails with some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable, the Bain's Klooi Hiking Trails: There are a number of hiking trails and picnic places in the mountain and some of the most exquisite species of wild flowers can be seen at certain times of the year. Bain's Kloof Pass offers an unsurpassed kaleidoscopic view. The Horseshoe, a favourite route with joggers and bikers, takes one past many of the old Huguenot farms with their magnificent Cape Dutch homesteads.
Wellington offers ample sporting facilities. Apart from the Boland Stadium, administrative headquarters of the Boland Rugby Union, there is also an excellent golf course and swimming pool.
Wellington Info: 873-4604
873-4607 (faks)
welltour@mweb.co.za
www.visitwellington.co.za
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