Less well known than neighbouring Paarl, this picturesque town offers residents a laidback country lifestyle with outdoor attractions and dining options aplenty.
With the towering Hawequa mountains as a backdrop and the Berg River as its western border, Wellington is at the centre of a picturesque valley known for its terroir-driven wines and excellent brandies introduced by the French Huguenots who originally settled in the area.
Once an important provisions station for pioneers venturing into the interior over Bainskloof Pass, Wellington is now slightly off¬ the beaten track for tourists, tucked away beyond neighbouring Paarl, but the country peace and historic wine estates attract weekenders and international visitors who prefer to escape the well-trodden routes to discover this unspoilt rural retreat. Very much a working country town, Wellington’s centre takes you back to the days before malls.
“The people here are very old school, offering traditional hospitality that’s honest and friendly,” says Susanna Tecklenburg, co-owner, Oude Wellington Restaurant. “It’s a good, strong community, where everybody knows everybody. People stand together, whether it’s fighting the fires earlier this year or winning the Kwela Western Cape Town of the Year in 2015.”
As well as a selection of private and public schools, Wellington is home to campuses for the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Boland College, with a flourishing student population. The area also has the Breytenbach Centre o¬ffering an intimate dinner theatre, art exhibitions and community art programmes.
But it’s the outdoor lifestyle that's the biggest attraction for visitors. “The people are friendly, the weather is fantastic and you can compare the countryside with the south of France or Tuscany in Italy,” says Jan van der Does. Originally from Holland, Jan and his wife fell in love with the area and bought Lady Loch Country House last year. Their guests find Wellington to be an excellent base for exploring the Winelands and love the peace, the views and hiking and mountain biking in the mountains above Wellington at Bainskloof. There’s fly-fishing in the crystal-clear mountain streams, horse riding through the indigenous fynbos, abseiling and excellent bird and wildlife viewing.
Make time to explore the wine and brandy route in leisurely style, enjoying the Cape Dutch architecture, the beautiful scenery and wine tastings. Besides excellent wines, the fertile valley is known for fresh (often organic) produce, there are olive and fruit growers and Wellington is proud to be home to South Africa’s only producer of genuine bu¬ffalo mozzarella at Bu¬ffalo Ridge. A farming community with great wines and great heart, Wellington is one of the hidden gems of the Winelands.
We love the lifestyle in the countryside, being close to nature, the beautiful crisp mornings. It’s still safe here and you can breathe in the fresh air.
-Susanna Tecklenburg, co-owner, Oude Wellington Restaurant.
Dine out in Wellington:
- Oude Wellington in a historic farm building and a local institution
- Seasons at Diemersfontein: for leisurely meals surrounded by stunning views
- Perfect Place: for breakfasts and lunches in town
- Au d’Hex Estate Restaurant: for gourmet breakfasts and light deli-style, Mediterranean-inspired lunches
- The Stone Kitchen: for rustic, bistro-styled food
- Piza e Vino at Val du Charron: for simple, traditional Italian cuisine
- Bar Bar Black Sheep: for heartier country-style meals
Things to do in Wellington
- Experience wine tasting of some of the best terroir driven wines in the country
- Enjoy the Wellington Wine Walk, a 3-day route
- Fynbos Horse Trails
- Visit the Breytenbach Centre for art exhibitions
- Mountain-biking at Welvanpas Wine Estate
- Golf at Wellington Golf course
- Explore the home of Three Ships Whiskies at The James Sedgwick Distillery
Explore nature near Wellington
- Limietberg Nature Reserve and Bains Kloof Pass for hiking trails with permits from Cape Nature
- Bontebok Ridge for wildlife and bird watching
- De Vonds Snake Park
- Bartholomeus Klip Renosterveld Reserve
- Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
