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Self Catering Accommodation
Helderberg Info:
SHORT HISTORY:
Until the arrival, in the 16th century, of first Portuguese, and subsequently Dutch and English seafarers, the coastal areas of the Western Cape were mainly inhabited by the Strandlopers (Beach Combers, indigenous people living off the sea). In 1652 Jan van Riebeeck, an employee of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) landed in Cape Town with an expeditionary force to establish a foothold in the Cape. A few years later governor W.A van der Stel acquired much land in the Helderberg area, naming his farm Vergelegen. In 1817 four farmers of the now subdivided Vergelegen Farm obtained permission from the incumbent British Governor, Lord Charles Somerset, to build a church and establish a village around it. The Governor also allowed the grateful patrons of the project to name the village: Somerset. The name was later changed to: Somerset West, so as not to confuse it with the already existing town in the Eastern Cape Province by the name of Somerset East. The result of the development of the intervening years is evident in front of you: A charming, relaxed residential provincial town amid beautiful vineyards, with no heavy industries to pollute the fresh air, which is alternatively coming from the sea and from the mountains. But today also a busy commercial hub serving the surrounding Boland area.
Climate:
The Helderberg enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Winter (June - August), is the rainy season, but has many sunny days and is generally mild, with occasional high winds at times. Summer (December-May) is dry and hot, although the extreme heat is tempered by sea breezes. Spring (Sep-Nov.) is idyllic with balmy days and warm evenings. Beaches & Water sport: The Helderberg is a well known coastal paradise with many fun activities along its scenic beaches of Gordon's Bay and Strand. Several kilometres of white sandy beaches, with the occasional rock pools, offer some of the best bathing and sun tanning spots on the whole of the False Bay coastline. A full range of water sports include, swimming, angling, surfing, yachting, and much more.
Shopping & Business Hours:
Shopping hours in the central business districts are generally from 08:30 - 17:30 on weekdays, and 09:00 - 13:00 on Saturdays. The Malls in the Helderberg, however, only close at 17:00 on Saturdays, and are generally open on Sundays and public holidays as well. The Somerset West Mall offers great shopping from 160 shops, and also a wide choice of good restaurants, coffee shops and cinemas. Nearby Cape Town boasts of the "Canal Walk", the largest shopping mall in Southern Africa, with more than 350 shops, offering something for every type of shopper. The "Victoria & Alfred Waterfront", situated in the heart of Cape Town's great working harbour, with the dramatic backdrop of the majestic Table Mountain, is widely acknowledged as Cape Town's premier shopping and tourist attraction, and a well known entertainment hotspot to boot. An absolute must.