History of Newlands
- Province; Western Cape
- Coordinates: 33°58′45″S 18°27′0″E
- Area: 3.48 km2
- Municipality: City of Cape own
Nieuwland Newlands an area about 9 km from Cape Town City was granted to Governor Willem van der Stel in 1770. Here he established a country residence with a modest lodge a garden and an oak tree plantation. The property was retained by the Dutch East India Company and it became a residence for high ranking VOC officials
The estate was sold in 1791 to the first of several private owners and then back into government hands in 1805, only to be sold again in 1826. It was thereafter in private hands yet In the 1860s the property was let to the government as a residence for Cape Governors. The Newlands village was established around this time when the railway line from Cape Town reached Newlands by 1864.
The manor house of Fernwood, the original farm estate in the area still stands and is home to a parliamentary sports club.
Today Newlands is one of the more upmarket suburbs of Cape Town and is known as Cape Town’s green suburb due to the high rainfall, it is also the wettest area in South Africa. It is situated at the back of Table Mountain and is on the perimeter of Kirstenbosch which provides spectacular views for homes in the area.
Things to see and do in Newlands:
- Newlands spring
The freshwater spring has historical importance in the area. The water is of high quality and. Capetonians still collect water at these springs today. The water has played a vital role in the brewing industry with the first brewery being set up and licenced in 1694 at Papenboom. Water was also, used to power water mills from the mid 1800s. - Newlands brewery which was established in 1658 is one of the oldest commercial breweries in South Africa and considered the ‘cradle of clear-beer brewing’ locally. It lies on the Liesbeek River. The Josephine Mill, which used a water wheel to grind the grain used for brewing is now a historic monument.
- Newlands Forest
- Newlands forest is part of the Table Mountain National Park. It is a popular area for outdoor recreation where Capetonians hike and walk their dogs. It includes remnants of indigenous Afro-Temperate forest and Granite Fynbos. Historic sites include The Woodcutters cottage, and Lady Anne Barnard’s path.
- Paradise Park Outdoor Gym Cnr Hiddingh and Alster Avenue, Newlands
- Kirstenbosch botanical gardens
- Newlands forest
- Josephine mill
- Liesbeek river trail
- Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. During January a season of summer concerts is held at Kirstenbosch
Useful Numbers
- Police: Claremont Police Station -021 657 2250
- Traffic department: Hillstar Traffic Department – 0860 103 089
- Fire: Volunteer Wildfire Services Newlands Fire Base083 977 2924
Wynberg fire station – 021 444 9623 - Water: 0869 103 089
- Electricity: 0869 103 089
- Ambulance: 10177
- Post office;Kenilworth Post Office-021 762 4483
- Closest hospital;Nurture Newlands Hospital-021 685 0292
- Pharmacy;021 685 3011
- SPCA: Cape of Good Hope SPCA-021 700 4140
- Schools:
South African College High School-021 689 4164
Sans Souci Girls’ High School-021 671 7188
South African College Junior School-021 689 4001
Kildare Pre-Primary School-021 674 4360
Good Hope Studies – English Language School -021 683 1399
Barkly House Newlands Pre-Primary School-021 671 1878
Groote Schuur High School-021 674 2165
- Tourism @ Kirstenbosch gardens (0)21 762 0687
- Residents Association: admin@newlandsresidents.org.za [/vc_column_text]
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