Heritage and legacy
The starting point for our Cruiser excursion was Oude Werf, South Africa’s oldest running hotel, located in the heart of Stellenbosch and built on the historical remains of the colony’s first church, which was established in 1686. The church and subsequent inn, built on the site in 1802, survived multiple fires until in 1973 when owner Gerhard Lubbe restored the property.
In 2007 the hotel was bought by the Petousis family and developed into what is now known as Oude Werf (from the church werf or yard), the historical remains of the church still visible beneath the kitchen floorboards. Furnished with a mix of antiques and modern amenities – beautiful pieces like four-poster beds, brass and woodwork, a high-ceilinged voorkamer, high-speed Wi-Fi and Nespresso coffee makers, with a vine-covered courtyard – it’s a seamless blend of old and new.
The perfect mix of old and new
Known as the City of Oaks, Stellenbosch is renowned for towering trees that line the streets. While many of these beautiful English trees were lost in fires that destroyed much of Stellenbosch in the early years, a handful of third-generation trees still exist, most of them in the historical part of town. While Victoria Street and Dorp Street are perhaps the most impressive oak-lined corridors, Ryneveld, Crozier, Van Riebeeck and Murray Streets also have their fair share of massive custodians.
Dorp Street is, however, famous for more than its trees. The second oldest road in the country, it dates back to the late 17th century when it served as the ‘old wagon road’ to and from Cape Town. It is one of the longest rows of old buildings surviving in any major town in southern Africa, and its length is a national monument. Still lined with oak trees and beautiful, historic buildings, it is the hub of Stellenbosch and oozes old-world charm. Here you will find the university’s art gallery; Oom Samie Se Winkel, an authentic trading store; beautiful Cape Dutch architecture; boutiques; coffee shops; and plenty of restaurants.
Standing the test of time
Less than 5km out of town, you will be entering another oak-lined drive, that of Lanzerac. Located in the foothills of the Jonkershoek Valley and surrounded by mountains and vineyards, this icon dates back to 1692, 13 years after the founding of Stellenbosch itself. The first cellar was erected in the early 1800s, followed by the Manor House, now a Provincial Heritage Site. When Elizabeth Catherina ‘Kitty’ English bought the property in 1920, she named the estate Lanzerac and transformed it into one of the most modern wineries in the Cape.
While owners have changed over the years, they all played a role in further establishing the estate’s reputation, particularly David Rawdon, who purchased Lanzerac in 1958 and transformed the homestead into an elegant hotel. Like many establishments in Stellenbosch, Lanzerac was severely damaged by fires over the years, the worst of which was in 2017 when the hotel was forced to close for 13 months. But when it reopened, the landmark had been restored with careful consideration to its heritage. It now offers a five-star hotel, spa, winery, conference centre and multiple eateries in the most magnificent surroundings.
Looking to stay and play in Stellies?
If you love culture: Try one of the cultural walking tours, like Stellenbosch on Foot or Township Tours, or visit historic buildings such as the Town Hall, the Village Museum, Moederkerk and the Stellenbosch University Museum.
If you love art: Art tours include the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, Stellenbosch on Foot, Winelands Art: Sips & Sights, Stellenbosch Art Foundry and Rupert Museum. A number of nearby wine estates such as Cavalli, Delaire Graff, Hazendal, Hidden Valley and Muratie, have art on show, too.
If you love the outdoors: From a hike in the Jonkershoek to a vineyard drive or mountain bike tour, with Segways, Scootours, e-bikes, slackpacking, picnics and everything in between, there is no shortage of activities for outdoorsy people. For a list of attractions, click here.
If you love food: Bites & Sites offers four guided food tours: Classic Cape Cuisine Walk (an introduction to the authentic flavours of Stellenbosch); Kayamandi Township Tour and Xhosa Lunch (experience the hospitality and tastes of Kayamandi, a township on the outskirts of Stellenbosch); Foodies on Foot (artisanal food and art); and Best of Bites (a collection of the best experiences).
If you love wine: Stellenbosch Wine Routes represents more than 200 wine and grape producers in the region and has a list of wineries and all their details, as well as wine tours and events on the site.
For more things to do in and around Stellenbosch, go to https://www.visitstellenbosch.org/
For more on the history of the Land Cruiser, go to click here for Part 1 and here for Part 2
With thanks to the teams at Visit Stellenbosch, Oude Werf and Lanzerac Wine Estate.
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