Cosmopolitan Newlands in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs is a family-friendly haven with an old-world feel.
About the area:
There’s a quiet, old-world feel to Newlands. The avenues of mature oaks and plane trees, green gardens and mountain streams running through create the feeling of being in a village within the city, and the buzz of chic cafes at the bottom of Kildare Road and Dean Street adds a cosmopolitan note to the suburb’s secluded charm. Residents love having the mountain so close; being able to walk, run or mountain bike in Newlands Forest; being close the M3; and having Kirstenbosch arboretum and Cecilia Forest also within easy reach. The M3, while keeping passing traffic out of Newlands’s narrow streets, provides easy access to the rest of the city, so it’s a short commute to work in town. The suburb is close to the University of Cape Town and it’s easy to reach the N2 for the airport from the area.
A big attraction for families is the proximity of excellent schools, with SACS, Westerford, Sans Souci, Rondebosch Boys’, Herschel, Rustenberg and more schools close by. Kildare Pre-Primary School is an appealing choice for the little ones. A friendly sense of community prevails, with young families meeting at the play park in Palmboom Road or the recently rehabilitated park on the banks of the Liesbeek River, and a strong residents’ association working on preserving the character of the area.
There's a feeling of living in the city, and yet a sense of the quietude and vitality of nature.
While Newlands boasts only a sprinkling of shops (residents head to nearby Cavendish Square for serious shopping), you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the good things in life: gelato and chocolates from Italian-run Le Delizie, ice cream from The Creamery, frozen yoghurt from Wakaberry, and luscious patisserie from Cassis, not to mention Melissa’s The Food Shop for all your deli needs. Montebello Design Centre has a wealth of handmade treasures and The Gardener’s Cottage Restaurant & Coffee Shop has great breakfasts, and the Foresters Arms Restaurant & Bar is an institution for pub atmosphere and rugby nights.
“I enjoy being so near the mountain and the forest – hearing and seeing forest life in my garden: the different birds, frogs, the squirrels... the Newlands spring bubbling away just down the road; it's all very idyllic! There's a feeling of living in the city, and yet a sense of the quietude and vitality of nature" says Richard, Newlands resident.
Best in food:
- Melissa’s The Food Shop: for breakfast
- Cassis: for delicious macaroons and patisserie
- Le Delizie: for Italian chocolate and ice-cream
- Mamma Roma: a family-run Italian trattoria
- Myoga Restaurant at The Vineyard Hotel & Spa for fine dining
Things to do:
- Montebello Design Centre: for cutting-edge design and crafts
- Newlands Forest: for mountain biking and walking
- Paradise Park or Palmboom Park: for kids’ play
- Liesbeek River: for cycle tracks along the river
- Newlands spring: for pure spring water
- Rugby and cricket matches at the stadiums
Top schools:
- SACS
- Westerford High School
- Sans Souci Girls’ High School
- Kildare Pre-Primary School
- The Grove Primary School
Experience Cape Town's Southern Suburbs here:
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
