Richwood

• Province: Western Cape
• Coordinates: 33.832°S 18.544°E
• Area: 0.77 km2
• Municipality; City of Cape Town

Richwood is a residential suburb in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, located about 15 km northeast of the city centre near the N7 freeway. The suburb lies between the N7 highway and Tygerberg Valley Road (M13), which provides access to nearby areas including Bothasig and Durbanville. Richwood forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality and is close to developments such as Burgundy Estate and Richmond Park.

History of Richwood

The name “Richwood” is derived from a combination of the neighbouring suburbs Richmond Park and Goodwood. This suburb is a laid-back, relaxed neighbourhood to the North of Cape Town. The name is taken from combining Richmond Park and Goodwood. The area is popular with first-time buyers as the houses are small and affordable.

Richwood is close to the large industrial area around the former Caltex/Chevron refinery, now operated by Astron Energy. The presence of the refinery and other industrial land has influenced the pattern of development around Richwood, with open areas separating residential and industrial uses.

The suburb has a noticeably different layout from some of the older northern suburbs. Instead of a simple grid of straight streets, Richwood was planned with curved roads, crescents and cul-de-sacs. This type of layout was commonly used in modern residential planning to reduce through-traffic and create quieter residential streets.

Before the area was developed, Richwood formed part of the open land of the northern Cape Flats. The surrounding landscape was largely undeveloped veld, with farms and smallholdings elsewhere in the broader area. The N7 now passes the suburb and has become one of the main transport routes through the northern suburbs.

Richwood’s position on the Cape Flats also means that it is exposed to the strong south-easterly winds that are a familiar feature of Cape Town’s summer weather. The flat landscape gives residents broad views across the surrounding suburbs towards Table Mountain and the northern parts of the city.

Today Richwood is mainly residential, with parks, schools, local businesses and open areas forming part of the suburb. Its mixture of curved streets, open land and nearby industrial development gives it a character quite different from the older, more tightly gridded suburbs around it.

The postcode is 7441

Transport

Richwood is served by   Golden Arrow Bus Services and minibus taxis. See linked pages for details. Other options for getting around the Western Cape.

Things to see and do in Richwood

• Nederberg Road Park Outdoor Gym  Nederberg Road

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape, Regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

local WEATHER TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in Richwood

 

Useful Numbers

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities

• Emergency Services

• Police: SAPS Bothasig-021 559 9400
• Fire: Milnerton Fire Station-021 400 6949
• Ambulance: 10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital;Mediclinic Milnerton-021 529 9000
• Clinic-021 559 9460
• Pharmacy;Medirite Checkers Burgundy Estate-021 559 9760

• Municipal & Utilities

• Water:0860 103 089
• Electricity:0860 103 089

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic department: Milnerton Traffic Department-0860 103 089
• Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204

• Community & Safety

• Childline-116
• 24 hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777.
• NSRI 087 094 9774
• SPCA: 021 700 4140

• Local Contacts and Community Resources 

• Post office;Chempet Post Office-021 551 1559
• Richwood Community Hall: 021 814 1527
• Library: Bothasig Public Library-021 400 2757

• Find a comprehensive list of Cape Town Emergency numbers HERE
• The City of Cape Town Public Emergency Communication Centre is available 24/7 For all life or property-threatening emergencies. Call 021 480 7700 from any phone or 107 from a landline or report online at https://bit.ly/3o4Ji3K