AFRICA LODGE guesthouse with an Africa Lodge flavour in Somerset West.

ERINVALE - luxury accommodation in Somerset West

FOREST GREEN - luxury guest house in the winelands

LORD CHARLES HOTEL - luxury accommodation

SEVENTH HEAVEN - 7th Heaven in Somerset West is a self-catering ( self contained ) guesthouse

SOMERSET LODGE - luxury accommodation in the Winelands

VILLA VIA HOTEL - Hotel with a difference in Somerset West

At the foot of the Helderberg mountains running down to the sea lie the towns of Somerset West, Strand and Gordons Bay. From the bustling malls to the golden beaches, there is something for everyone here in the southern part of the winelands of the Western Cape. Only 36 km from Cape Town it is an ideal base for exploring the South Western Cape peninsula.

Accommodation here is varied. Hotels such as the Lord Charles Hotel, Erinvale and Villa Via provide luxury accommodation. There are also a number of guest houses such as Africa Lodge, 7th Heaven, Villa Via, and Somerset Lodge. Forest Green also provides a luxury guest house option.

The winelands are renown for the excellent food and wine. Pubs and restaurants abound, especially in the pretty Gordons Bay village. The day drive to Betty's Bay is along one of the most attactive coastal roads in South Africa - with magnificent views and a good chance of spotting whales.

 SOMERSET WEST
The residential town of Somerset West lies among vineyards, orchards and farmlands at the foot of Helderberg Mountain some 40 km east of Cape Town. Founded in 1822, the town was originally named Somerset for Lord Charles Somerset. “West" was added later to differentiate it from Somerset East. ATTRACTIONS: The Helderberg Nature Reserve on the slopes of the Helderberg is famed for its magnificent proteas and disas and its abundant birdlife.
Lourens Bridge on Main Street was built in 1845 to complete the road from Cape Town to the interior via Sir Lowry's Pass.
The farm Vergelegen (i.e. “situated far away") was granted to Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700. Here he built a splendid homestead and planted grain, vines and fruit trees. The ancient camphor trees at Vergelegen have been proclaimed national monuments. During the time that he was the governor of the Cape, the farm Vergelegen became a bone of contention and Van der Stel was accused of corruption and using VOC money and equipment to develop his farm. This brought him into competition with the other burghers of the colony and made him one of the most unpopular Dutch governors of the Cape. In the early 1900s the well-known Randlord Sir Lionel Phillips purchased the farm and restored it. His extensive library is on display in one of the out-buildings on the farm.

STRAND
Originally known as Somerset Strand, a suburb of Somerset West, this holiday resort grew rapidly and finally gained municipal status in 1897. The wide at beach in Milk Bay is backed by a promenade and offers the safest bathing in False Bay.

GORDON'S BAY
Tucked into the secluded north-east corner of False Bay, below the Hottentots Holland Mountains, Gordon's Bay is protected from the South-Easter and is a popular beach and seaside resort. It also has a small harbour. The village takes its name from Colonel Robert Gordon, commander of the garrison at the Cape from 1780 to 1795. A beautiful marine scenic drive (Route 44) extends from Gordon's Bay to Cape Hangklip