Things to do near
Kenilworth
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Bars Nightclubs
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Claremont (2.1 km from Kenilworth) Tiger Tiger offers a premier night-time experience in Claremont, Cape Town.
The club comprises 7 luxurious bars in a luxurious and warm setting. The club sports a commercial and hip scene, with music variety that will keep you moving throughout the night. Probably the most popular club in the area, Tiger Tiger Claremont has been frequented by movie and sport celebrities alike. Keep an eye on the news for local events and daily specials.
Dress code : collared shirts and smart shoes (no trainers/sneakers of any sort).
Shopping Malls
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Claremont (2.1 km from Kenilworth) Cavendish Square Shopping Centre offers the perfect excuse to go shopping! This award-winning shopping mall is considered the premier fashion destination in the Southern Suburbs. Encompassing more than two hundred and fifty of the most elite stores in the country. Shoppers can find a wide selection of restaurants, 16 cinemas, including foreign feature films and 5 Forex Banks all conveniently situated in a safe and secure indoor shopping environment.The most recent development to the centre is Cavendish Connect. This exciting redevelopment has stores spilling out across Dreyer Street, transforming The Link into Cavendish Connect and adding many more stores. The new development now brings you international concept stores, fashion boutiques, trend-setting lifestyle emporiums and a range of mouth-watering restaurants and cafes.When its time to take a break, shoppers can now also sit beneath the maples in Dreyer Street, the green hub of Cavendish cafe culture or walk across to Connect by sky bridges linking the first floors of Cavendish Square and Cavendish Connect.Cavendish also recently launched a fully re-loadable gift card that takes the hassle out of choosing what gift to buy; shopping has just been made so much easier!Trading hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 19:00, Sundays 10:00 – 17:00, Public Holidays 09:00 – 19:00.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Newlands (2.5 km from Kenilworth) Fondly called Newlands Cricket Ground by locals, Sahara Park Newlands in the Southern Suburbs is something of an institution in the Mother City.
Considered one of the most stunning cricket venues on the globe, Sahara Park is home to the Cape Cobras and is a regular Test Match venue, carrying a seating capacity of 25 000.
The beautiful grounds neighbour Newlands Stadium and are backed by gorgeous views of Table Mountain and Devil's Peak.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Newlands (2.8 km from Kenilworth) Headquarters of the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province Rugby squad, the grand old Newlands Rugby Stadium is one of the three oldest rugby stadiums in the world.
Set in the ultra-green suburb of Newlands, Newlands Rugby Stadium has a capacity of 51 000 with steeply elevated stands affording maximum visibility and electrifying viewpoints.
Cape Town's three Premier Soccer League clubs also utilize the facilities for their inter-club matches.
Galleries and Museums
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Newlands (2.9 km from Kenilworth) Have you ever wondered how the Mother City got flour for her daily bread? Visit the Josephine Mill Museum for a trip back to a bygone era. This darling of the Cape Town Historical Society was restored in 1988. The fine iron waterwheel turning once again supplying the surrounding community with freshly milled, stone ground flour, just as it had done, for so many years before. Today the Mill is a fun destination that not only honours a precious piece of Cape History, but also respects the traditions of the community, an awareness of natural and organic living and responsibility to the environment.Plans to turn the museum from a small display of recovered artefacts into a stimulating exhibition of the stone milling process are well underway. A major challenge is to recreate the original watercourses to supply the waterwheel and harness the power of the Liesbeek River. Mill pundits and scholars alike will be offered a rare insight into the methods and equipment devised to industrialise the production of flour. The Mill Museum will offer an intriguing exhibition of stone milling in process, and showpiece the history of power and its evolution from water to steam to electricity - and back again.
Galleries and Museums
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Newlands (3 km from Kenilworth) Located in Newlands, The Barnard Gallery is a modern, stylish space showcasing exceptional fine art.
Wine Estates
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Constantia (3.8 km from Kenilworth) World famous for its wines, Groot Constantia Estate is one of the earliest proclaimed wine farms in the Cape and also a National Monument and prospective UNESCO World Heritage Site. Still producing award-winning wines today, it is a magnificent example of South Africa's heritage.
Groot Constantia Manor House is a museum that epitomises Cape Dutch architecture and a wealthy nineteenth-century homestead. Also worth a visit is the attractive Cloete Wine Cellar which has also been converted into a museum, this time with an emphasis on wine and brandy making in the Cape.
Visitors can enjoy strolling through the magnificent grounds or enjoy a meal, picnic or deli food from the two restaurants, Simon's Restaurant and Jonkershuis Restaurant.
Need to know? Situated in the heart of the Constantia Wine Route, Groot Constantia is open seven days a week, including public holidays. Closed only on Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The wines of the Estate may be tasted and bought every day from 09:00 – 18:00.
Galleries and Museums
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Rondebosch (4.3 km from Kenilworth) The Baxter Theatre Centre provides an exciting forum for the celebration of life which is the essence of live theatre, music and dance. It is one of the major live theatre venues in Cape Town and has always been at the forefront of the performing arts both as a popular venue and as a leading producer.The Baxter Theatre Centre at the University of Cape Town endeavours to present and host the best of South African performing arts. The objective is to reflect the cultures of all the people of South Africa on our stages and in our galleries. The Baxter Theatre strives to present cutting-edge and major works from South Africa and masterpieces from the international repertoire. Since its opening in 1977 the complex has continued to provide a stage for all types of professional entertainment - music, drama, ballet, opera and intimate theatre. Even through the difficult years of racial segregation its doors remained open to everyone and it thrived, drawing on indigenous talent and creating a uniquely South African theatre tradition.
Nature Reserves
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Rondebosch (4.4 km from Kenilworth) This public open space has many walking paths. The ever changing landscape and pretty seasonal endemic flowers, birds, butterflies and other creatures making it a great escape from rush-rush of everyday life. Dogs, children and their accompanying adults make it a great meeting place for the neighbourhood. The sunsets are stunning and in the winter mists you may see Blue Crane,and the natural ponds abound with tadpoles. It is 5 minutes walk from the guesthouse.
Popular Attractions
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Rondebosch (4.5 km from Kenilworth) The University of Cape Town, fondly called UCT, presides over the southern suburbs and Cape Flats from its lofty position on the slopes of Devil’s Peak on Table Mountain. UCT's setting and beautiful historic buildings make it one of the most attractive universities in South Africa.Famous students who have walked its halls include Prof Christian Barnard, the heart transplant surgeon and three Nobel Prize laureates – the writer JM Coetzee, Prof Alan MacLeod Cormack and Sir Aaron Klug.Visitors often walk from UCT to Rhodes Memorial. Another popular spot is the ‘Jammie steps’ leading up to Jameson Hall. These steps used to be the hub of many heated political protests and debates during the Apartheid regime.
Galleries and Museums
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Rosebank - CT (4.7 km from Kenilworth) Irma Stern was a major South African artist who achieved national and international recognition in her lifetime.
Established in 1971, the museum is in fact the house of the late artist. The permanent collection at the Irma Stern Museum shows Irma Stern's development as an artist, with subject matter including exotic figures, portraits, lush landscapes and still lifes conveyed in a variety of media. Upstairs you'll find a collection of more commercial items by contemporary artists.
A temporary exhibition programme is arranged annually and visitors can enjoy the garden. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 to 17:00.
Golf Courses
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Mowbray (4.8 km from Kenilworth) Located just a short drive away from Cape Town's city centre, Rondebosch Golf Club is known as a must-play course among locals.
The 18-hole course was founded in 1911 and prides itself with a full 72 championship rating. Facilities include a pro shop, half-way house, and function hall.
Popular Attractions
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Newlands (4.9 km from Kenilworth) Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is world renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
It comes as no surprise that Kirstenbosch has been voted one of the world’s top picnic spots by National Geographic Magazine. The rolling lawns, over 7 000 plant species and indigenous plants and the rugged slopes of majestic Table Mountain all add up to an experience like no other.
Picnicking on the lawns has become a national pastime, particularly when the summer sunset concert series packs the concert lawn to capacity. But even in the winter months, on a sunny day, the blankets and baskets roll out as families enjoy the heritage and beauty that makes the Garden so special.
“We rank up there with the world’s top seven botanical gardens and being recognized by one of the world’s top magazines is a proud moment”. said Curator Philip le Roux. See travel.nationalgeographic.com.
The estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of South African plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country.
The Visitors' Centre includes an information desk and various retail outlets and a nursery. The Centre for Home Gardening has outlets for plants and other services to support the home garden. There are also several restaurants and coffee shops at Kirstenbosch.
On Sundays during the summer months from December to March, musical sunset concerts are held on the lawns. Craft markets are also held at the Stone Cottages (opposite Kirstenbosch) on the last Sunday of every month (except June, July and August).
Physically challenged visitors should contact the information office in advance to book a wheelchair or one of the golf cart/shuttle tours.
A number of trails lead through natural forest and fynbos surrounding the developed garden. A map is obtainable from the Information Office for a small fee.
Open 365 days a year 08:00 – 19:00 (September to March) and 08:00 – 18:00 (April to August).
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (5 km from Kenilworth) Skeleton Gorge offers one of the steepest but loveliest routes to the top of Table Mountain. Starting from Kirstenbosch, the trail climbs through dense indigenous forest and passes a waterfall.
Wooden ladders have been placed at steep sections. Be prepared to do some scrambling over slippery rocks. After emerging from the forest, look back to see the knockout views across False Bay.
At the top of Skeleton Gorge, follow Smuts Track towards Table Mountain. From here, it’s jaw dropping cliff-top views all the way to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on Table Mountain. On a clear day you’ll have 360-degree views over the entire Peninsula. From Maclear’s, the walk to the Cableway Station is flat and easy. Other options are retracing your steps or descending via Platteklip Gorge.
Duration: 4 hours (not so fit)
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4 km
Warning: Avoid this hike during or after heavy rain
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (5 km from Kenilworth) From Kirstenbosch Main Entrance, head up Smuts Track until you reach a sign marking Constantia Nek to the left and Newlands Forest to the right. Keep heading up into the forest; don’t turn left onto the Constantia Nek trail.
Continue until you reach the Contour Path and Skeleton Gorge and take the Contour Path to the left. This route offers awesome views of Kirstenbosch and across the Cape Flats. You’ll see some magnificent proteas and mountain fynbos. The trail eventually ends at the Cecilia Forest entrance on Constantia Nek.
Duration: 2 hours one way
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6 km