Wellington – Historic Town 1

The town of Wellington lies about 45 minutes from Cape Town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.  Situated at the foot of the Groenberg Mountains and built along the banks of the Kromme River Wellington is a historic and charming town with its picturesque valley setting and has often been referred to as “the hidden jewel of the Boland”.

The first settlers to the area in 1688 were the Huguenots.  The settlement did not develop fast and was only given its name in 1840 in honour of the Duke of Wellington. The beautiful valley itself is ideal for the growing of fruit and resulted in Wellington becoming the centre of South Africa’s dried fruit industry. The Huguenots introduced viticulture to the area in the late 17th century but only in the mid 1990’s was the small, but popular Wellington Wine Route launched.  Nearly 90% of the country’s grapevines are grown in this valley in vine-cutting nurseries, after which they are transplanted in other wine growing areas of South Africa.

At one time Wellington was the last outpost of civilization for settlers moving forward to unknown territory and it was here that wagons were given attention before setting out to settle further inland.

There are many places of interest to see in and around Wellington, one of which is the Wellington Museum which has featured displays about the early European settlers, well known local Pioneers and the African Landscape and people as well as Stone Age Artefacts and Egyptian Antiquities are on view.

Butterfly World can be found at the crossroads to Paarl, Stellenbosch and Wellington at the small village of Klapmuts. It is the largest Butterfly Park in South Africa and well worth the visit to view the magnificent free flying butterflies from many places in the world.

Accommodation is available in many guest houses and Bed & Breakfast establishments in the areas around the Cape Wine lands.