TOP LAKES, PUBLIC PARKS & FLOWER GARDENS OF CAPE TOWN
View editor's list of the most beautiful parks, gardens and lakes in Cape Town city and surrounding suburbs. Best viewed in late spring or early summer when the flowers are in full blossom but the weather is not too hot. In South Africa this means November.NO 1. VRENDENHEIM
Wine Farm that feels like a park
A veritable piece of paradise, Vredenheim has stunning indigenious and exotic plants surrounding numerous lakes in an informal design. With plenty to see and do for the whole family, including Big Cats, the Farmyard and Classic cars. The restaurant and wine tasting centers overlook the stunning views of Hedlerberg Mountain.
NO 2. LOURENSFORD
WITH CANALS
Located an hour from Cape Town CBD in the picturesque town of Somerset West, Lourensford combines wine tasting and fine dining with immaculate gardens and water features.NO 3. DELAIRE GRAFF WINE ESTATE
GARDEN AND SCULPTURES
Arguably the best place to view agapanthus gardens, Delaire Graff has a top restaurant, luxury boutique and art gallery to delight visitors who appreciate the finer things in life.
SCULPTURES
The blend of art, landscaping, water features and plants, is a perfect combination.
VIEWS OF SIMONSBERG MOUNTAIN
Enjoy the beautiful modern building or the enjoy the breataking views of Simonsberg Mountain from the verandah while you dine at the restaurant. A number of boutique shops and art displays add interest for visitors to the wonderful gardes of Delaire Graff Wine Estate.
INDIGENOUS SANCTUARY
The landscaping was designed to focus on indigneous plants which are well suited to the climate conditions and demand less water than exotics. The Mountain Bothmas Kop is visible in the background.
NOVEMBER BLOSSOMS
The best time to visit the gardens... or Cape Town in general is during the late spring or early summer when the flowers are in full bloom. The vast planting of agapanthus flowers is a key feature of this stunning gardens.
NO 4. CAPE OSTRICH FARM
NEAR CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE
In the heart of the Cape Peninsula lies this secluded stretch of nature. The Cape Countryside at its best, shop for Ostrich eggs and a variety of other souvenirs.
THE HORSES
Cape Town no longer has its own zoo, so its great to get out to a farm with a wide variety of animals, especially for the kids.
THE OSTRICHES
What ostrich farm would be complete without a few ostriches? These two enjoy free range living and views of the Cape Vernacular buildings on the farm.
THE DUCK POND
Reads and rushes grow in this perfectly peaceful duck pond.
VIEW OF THE FARM
With padocks surrounded by green grass and yellow blossoms, the Cape Ostrich Farm is definitely a stop any travelling should make when visiting the nearby Cape Point Nature Reserve or the town of Simonstown.
NO 5. WEBERSBURG WINE FARM
Lake and Park
Developed around a Cape Dutch House that is built in a prime location, this must be the best kept secret in Cape Town! A wine tasting center overlooks a large dam with stunning Mountain Views in the background. The lawns are kept in immaculate condition, and the plants all thrive year round with this reliable water source. The conifers have the effect of Cypress Trees and lend an Italian flavour to the atmosphere. Enjoy a relaxed environment in the heart of the winelands half way between Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
THE CELLAR
The cellar is a historical building and provides access to the Webersburg Bistro with delicious meals and wine pairing. Enjoy unsurpassed views of the Helderberg Mountain from over a lake.
THE TREES
The shadey lawns overlooking the lake are the perfect place to enjoy a picnic basket from the Webersburg Bistro.
VIEW FROM THE WINE CENTER
The deck from the Bistro and wine tasting center is well shaded by umbrellas and overlooks the lake and views of Helderberg Mountain.
CAPE DUTCH IN A PARK
The pride of the Esate the historic Cape Dutch buildign has a gable that bears the date 1786 and is a wonderful example of the high baroque period of the style.
6. ARDERNE GARDENS IN CLAREMONT
The garden has a long history having been established in 1840 at the height of the Cape Dutch building period. Trees were sourced from Australia, England and the Far East creating this unique paradise.
THE WETLAND CONSERVATION AREA
The natural wetland area in the park is an important habitat for highly endangered fynbos plants some of which only have propulatoins levels of only a few thousand individuals remaining.
SEE MORE CAPE DUTCH GARDENS
SUCH AS THIS MAZE AT VERGELEGEN
To view more beautiful flower gardens and public parks in and around Cape Town.
