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Western Province - Clanwilliam |  |
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In the Western Cape province; on the N7 national highway some 250 kilometres north of Cape Town.
One of South Africa's ten oldest towns, Clanwilliam evolved as the centre of farmlands established, in the hugely fertile Jan Dissels River valley, in the 1720s. It still serves this purpose - the surrounding countryside is given over to a citrus and wine-grapes and a dozen other fine crops - but is especially renowned as the hub of the rooibos tea industry. The tea shrub grows wild in many parts of the Western Cape but does so with particular vigour on the high and scenically lovely slopes of the Cederberg range that lies just to the east. The green shoots of the bush have been used for generations, by both the local Nama people and the early white settlers, as a soothing medicinal brew, though systematic cultivation began only a century ago.. Historic Buildings The town boasts a number of these, among them the old Drostdy, or early magistrate's court and residence, which dates from 1808; the Old Goal (now a museum) and the Dutch Reformed and Anglican churches. The latter is of special interest: it was one of about 50 places of worship designed by the redoubtable and remarkable Sophy Gray, wife of the Cape's first Anglican bishop. She was also an artist of note, and a superb administrator who helped her husband found schools and other institutions that are now household names in South Africa. Clanwilliam Dam The ice-blue waters of the dam, with their magnificent mountain backdrop, stretch 18 kilometres from north to south and are much favoured by watersports enthusiasts (notably water-skiers) and anglers. Indeed the dam and its nature reserve probably rank as the wider region's premier recreation area (chalets can be rented). Ramskop Nature Reserve The region is famed for its wild flowers, which transform the countryside into a riot of colour in late winter and spring, and are perhaps seen at their best in the small Ramskop Reserve, which flanks the north-eastern corner of the dam and is home to a nice mix of fynbos (‘fine bush') and Karoo succulent plant species. Enclosed by the reserve is the even smaller Clanwilliam wildflower garden, created by a group of local women some years ago as a labour of love and now host to more than 700 indigenous plant species. The Cederberg Wilderness Area , which occupies much of the high and scenically quite stunning ground to the east. A favourite place for hikers and campers, rock-climbers, naturalists, bird-watchers, and those who want to get away from it all. The Cederberg's weirdly eroded rock formations, among them the Maltese Cross and the Wolfberg Arch, are notable features. Biedouw Valley The Pakhuis pass to the east of Clanwilliam offers a visually glorious drive, especially in the springtime months, and especially when it runs through this valley: the wild flowers are breathtaking in their profusion and splendour. Wuppertal The tiny settlement lies 75 kilometres from Clanwilliam, at the end of the road that runs over the Pakhuis pass and through the Biedouw valley. Wuppertal exists in a time warp: it began life as a Moravian mission station in 1830 and practically nothing has changed since: quaint lime-washed, black-thatched cottages line the winding main street; village life is still lived at the pace of the ox.
Citrusdal, on the N7 highway to the south; Lambert's Bay, on the coast to the west; Vredendal and Vanrhynsdorp to the north. |
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CLANWILLIAM Western Cape
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