- Province: Western Cape
- Coordinates: 34°05′S 18°51′E
- Area: 61.37 km2
- Municipality; City of Cape Town
Somerset West is a town in the Helderberg area of the Western Cape, about 45 km south-east of central Cape Town. It lies at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains between Strand and Sir Lowry’s Pass, with access from the N2 and R44. The town forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan area and serves as a hub for surrounding areas, including Strand, Gordon’s Bay and the Elgin Valley, with nearby wine farms, nature reserves and coastal routes.
History of Somerset West
Cattle Post along the Lourens River
In the area of the Lourens River, the Dutch established a cattle post in 1672. The town was established on the farm Vergelegen (Dutch for Far Away). At the time, the area was called Tweede Rivier, and Eerste Rivier flowed through Stellenbosch to the North.
Somerset West was named after Lord Charles Somerset, an English governor of the Cape Colony.
In the 1800s. After 1825, “West” was added to differentiate it from the other “Somerset” in the Eastern Cape.
Difficult mountain crossings
The first recorded crossing, by the settlers, over the mountains into the interior, was in 1664. By 1821, 4500 ox wagons per year trekked over the mountain. However, conditions were so treacherous that more than 20 % were damaged or lost.
There are ruts left by these wagons that can still be seen, and they are preserved as National monuments.
Construction of a Mountain Pass
Easier access from the town to outposts inland was gained by the construction of a pass to ensure safe passage. The construction began about 2 km south of the Hottentots Holland Kloof. The engineer Charles Michell used convict labour to complete the pass, which opened in 1830. It was named after Lowry Cole, who was the Governor of the Cape Colony at the time
The license plate prefix for Somerset West is CFM, and the postcode is 7130
Things to see and do in Somerset West
- Reisling Park Outdoor Gym Reisling Street, Heldervue
- Sir Lowry’s pass
- The annual display of Christmas lights along the Main Road
- Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary
- Helderberg Nature Reserve
- Gardens at Vergelegen
- Village garden
For permits, nature area usage regulations and other practical outdoor information relevant to Somerset West, see the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide
Local WEATHER IN TODAY
Browse businesses and places to visit in SOMERSET WEST
Useful Numbers in Somerset West
Emergency Services
- Police: 021 850 1303
- Fire: 107 or 480 7700
- Ambulance: 10177
Medical
- Closest hospital; Helderberg Hospital 021 850 4700
- Mediclinic Vergelegen 021 850 9000
Municipal & Utilities
- Water:0860 103 089
- Electricity: 0860 103 089 / 0860 037 566 Eskom
Transport & Roads
- Traffic department: 021 400 3915
Community & Safety
- SPCA: Helderberg Animal Rescue: 021 852 22268
Local Contacts and Community Resources in Somerset West
- Tourism (0)21 840 1400
- Post office; 021 851 7053
- Somerset Mall post office 021 851 0972
- Garden Village Community Hall: 021 850 4262
- Somerset West Town Hall: 021 850 4261
- Home Affairs: 021 852 9125
- Library:021 400 2867
Schools in Somerset West
- Somerset West private school: 021 852 8451
- Somerset West Primary: 021 851 2040
- Beaumont primary: 021021 851 7124
- Somerset College: 021 842 8000
- Helderberg high: 021 855 4949
- Helderberg Primary: 021 855 1482
- 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
- Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
Learn more about the project HERE
