Upper Walmer, the more exclusive part of the much-loved suburb of Walmer, is known for its beautiful homes and convenient, central location.
The upper avenues are close to schools, businesses, shopping centres and leisure activities, with plenty of great little cafes and restaurants to boot.
Resident Sharon Mildenhall has lived in Upper Walmer for eight years. What attracted her and her husband to the area was the close proximity to good schools. “We wanted our children to attend Clarendon Park Primary School, and living in the area gave us the best chance to get them in. Our home is a stone’s throw from the school,” she says.
“We love the tree-lined avenues. The gardens are well-established, as this is an older part of Port Elizabeth, and we get to enjoy the birdlife. The beach is also no more than a 10-minute drive away. And for those who love the outdoors, we have the Settlers Park Nature Reserve right on our doorstep.”
The area itself, which was originally a farm that was later subdivided, has seen some changes over the years. In fact, many of the original properties have been subdivided in recent years, as the original erven were often huge. Many new businesses have opened in the area and some residential properties have become commercially zoned.
While Upper Walmer has a vibey feel, Sharon says it’s very much a family-oriented suburb. “We have wonderful restaurants and coffee shops, which give it a social vibe, while the number of schools and churches lends a family feel to the area.”
Sharon’s favourite places to hang out include Cobblestone, “for the best carrot cake ever”; The Backroom, a boutique-style “preloved” clothing shop, “for a unique look”; and Hullabaloo Interiors, “for great gifts and home decor”.
The properties in this “posh” part of Walmer vary in size – some are historic and others are modern. There are also high-quality townhouse complexes and apartment blocks tucked away.
“There’s a diverse selection of properties out there. Many homes have been modernised and made larger than the original dwellings,” Sharon says. “When it comes to our house, we loved the large back garden for the kids to play in and the beautiful old wooden floors and high ceilings.”
The sense of community is something the Mildenhalls particularly enjoy about Upper Walmer. “We have an active community group which highlights any developments, security issues or community projects in the area. Some of the residents have also successfully organised street parties to get to know their neighbours and to create a community feel where we look out for each other.”
Upper Walmer is a really pretty area
-Sharon Mildenhall, resident.
Why we love Walmer Park
Walmer Park Shopping Centre opened its doors for trade in September 1988. The centre has since undergone five extensions and refurbishments, keeping pace with the rapid residential growth of the Western areas in order to provide an upmarket shopping destination for the Port Elizabeth community and tourists.
This centre offers shoppers more than 43,000m2 of retail floor space and more than 140 stores comprising a number of top national and international retail brands, such as the Eastern Cape’s first and only Zara, iStore, Carrol Boyes, and Nespresso. Walmer Park’s range of coffee shops, restaurants and speciality stores offers a decadent variety of delicacies that will tempt any palate. Find out more at walmerparkshoppingcentre.co.za.
Schools in Walmer, Port Elizabeth
- Clarendon Park Primary School
- Theodor Herzl Schools
- DF Malherbe High School
- Harvest Christian School
Where to eat in Walmer, Port Elizabeth
- Bocadillos on Sixth: for delicious pizzas in a friendly atmosphere
- Angelos: for fabulous food and service
- Como Caffe: for terrific breakfasts
- Golden Coast Taiwanese Restaurant: for tasty Taiwanese cuisine
- The Hussar Grill: for succulent steaks
- Life with Lemons: for delectable lunches
- The Joneses Family Caffe and Bistro: for family-friendly meals
- Brioche: for fantastic baked goods
- Banneton Bakery and Cafe: for excellent wood-fired bread
Where to shop in Walmer, Port Elizabeth
- Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre
- Sixth Avenue Shopping Centre
- Ninth Avenue Shopping Centre
- Walmer Park Shopping Centre
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
