- Wes-Kaap
- Villiersdorp
Villiersdorp, Wes-Kaap
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Pearl of the Valley
The charming town of Villiersdorp is located in the Cape Overberg Region, on the Cape Country Meander. Lying in a valley surrounded by fruit orchards and accessed by one of the Cape’s four most spectacular mountain passes, the Franschhoek Pass, Villiersdorp is a breathtakingly beautiful village.
Just over an hours’ drive from Cape Town, Villiersdorp is a popular weekend getaway destination for Capetonians. One of the most well-known winemaking towns, Franschhoek, is a mere 30 minute drive and visitors are ensured of a weekend break full of some great wine and tasty farm style food.
Villiersdorp has a thriving community of Artists, who have settled here largely because of the peace and beauty of the surrounds. The small town is also popular with photographers and film makers. There are plenty of outdoor activities and things to do in Villiersdorp. The towns’ biggest attraction is probably the Theewaterskloof Dam which offers a spot for excellent fishing and water sports. Craft markets, tractor museums, wine tasting and rugged outdoor activities are what the area is all about and this is what keeps the visitors coming back time and time again.
The local residents as well as the collection of old Victorian cottages, Oak lined streets and winter snow-capped mountains are what give this quaint and historic town its character. Villiersdorp and the Cape Overberg Region offers comfortable and luxury accommodation which includes B&B’s, Guest Houses, Country Self-Catering Cottages and Lodges.
Places to Visit
Things to do and see
- Badgerberg Estate
- Villiersdorp Cellar & Kelkiewyn Farm Stall
- Country Classics Art Gallery
- Aphrodisiac Shack
- Tractor Trekker Museum
- Dagbreek Museum
- Helderstroom Alpacas
- Theewaterskloof Dam
- Theewaterskloof Golf Course
- Akkadis Mountain Bike & Hiking Trails
- Kroonland 4x4 Trail
- Mountain & Meadows Route
- Franschhoek Pass
- Boland Hiking Trail
- DuToitskop Hiking Trail
- Cats Pass Hiking Trail
Climate
The area receives most of its rainfall during June and July, the Cape’s winter months.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 13˚C and 26˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 5˚C and 15˚C.
Transport
There are daily domestic and international flights into Cape Town International Airport and Villiersdorp is approximately 110 km away via the R321 and N2. Car rental companies are located at the Airport.
Festivals
April - Stookfees Festival: Bring the family for a day of art and wine. Plenty of crafts and fun activities for the children, food & drink stalls and plenty of things to buy!
October – Agri & Arts Festival: A unique and diverse festival incorporating Art and Agricultural activities such as Apple packing competitions, tractor & trailer rides and plenty of arts exhibitions, wine tasting and crafts. Plenty of entertainment for all ages and some of the best local music is on offer.
History
Before 1688 and the arrival of the first French Hugenots, the valley locals were wild animals, San people and Hottentots, making the French Hugenot Farmers the first permanent residents of the town. The area remained isolated and undeveloped until the early 1900’s as the first arrivals were cattle farmers and had little or no need for roads over the mountains terrain at the time.
It was in 1843 that Pieter de Villiers requested that the Governor of the Cape map out a settlement on part of his farm which was to become the town that took his name. The first scandal of the town was that of his daughter marrying a farm labourer named Petrus Graaf. The marriage was approved but only on condition that the De Villiers name would not be lost. One of their three sons, David De Villiers-Graaf, became a Minister of the Parliament of Cape Town. His rather large donation, on his return to his home town, saw the establishment of the De Villiers-Graaf High School.
In 1855 Villiers became a municipality and the development of the town and roads slowly began to take shape.
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