Towns and suburbs

Worcester

Worcester is a Breede River Valley town in the Western Cape, known for agriculture, vineyards, and historic buildings. Find practical local information here.

Worcester is a town in the Breede River Valley of the Western Cape, about 120 km northeast of Cape Town. It lies along the N1 highway and serves as the main commercial and administrative centre of the Breede Valley Municipality. The surrounding area is known for vineyards, fruit orchards, and mountain scenery, making Worcester a hub for agriculture and tourism.

History of Worcester

Wildlife and Elephant Tusks

Before 1700, the area around the Breede River was abundant with wildlife. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) granted licenses for hunting, including the trade of elephant tusks. The indigenous Khoi people traded livestock with European settlers, but a smallpox epidemic in 1713, brought by the Europeans, nearly wiped out the Khoi population.

Establishment of the town

The town was established in 1818 by Lord Charles Somerset, following a suggestion to create a new municipality between Tulbagh and Graaff-Reinet. On 9 January 1819, the Colonial surveyors, Tulleken and Hertzog, mapped the two farms, and on 4 November, the first official advertisement for the sale of plots was issued. Worcester was established as a sub-magistracy, as Tulbagh was somewhat remote for the growing number of farmers in the area.  

The town was founded on the farm Hooivlakte and named after the eldest son of Lord Charles Somerset’s brother, the Marquis of Worcester. It first appeared in the government gazette in 1819, announcing the sale of plots. By 28 February 1820, 89 of the proclaimed 144 plots were sold. Worcester was declared a separate district in 1822 and was only granted municipal status in 1842. After devastating floods destroyed the magisterial building in Tulbagh, it was decided that the seat of the magistracy was moved to Worcester. 

German Settlers and Viticulture

The sale of town plots was delayed due to civil unrest on the Eastern border, but on February 28, 1820, the Union Jack was raised to signal the start of sales. German settlers, skilled in agriculture, improved the land and cultivated fruit. However, after World War II, the declining demand for dried fruit led farmers to shift their focus to viticulture. When the town was being laid out, the magistrate of Tulbagh ordered the collection of oak trees, and 48 were planted along the streets of Worcester, many of which still stand today.

The local microclimate and fertile soil make the area one of South Africa’s most important grape-producing areas, with over 17 million cartons of table grapes exported each year. The completion of the Greater Brandvlei Dam in 1936, later expanded in 1987, further fueled agricultural productivity by supplying reliable water to local irrigation systems.

The first electrical generators, powered by a pipeline from the Fonteintjies Mountain, were installed in 1916. The arrival of the railway in 1873, connecting the town to Cape Town, boosted trade and travel. It became a popular stopover for travellers going to the diamond mines in Kimberley. People like Barney Barnato and Cecil John Rhodes often stayed over in Worcester on their travels.

Worcester has more gabled buildingsthan any other town in the Boland. Georgian, Victorian and Art Deco buildings can be seen in the town.

Worcester is known for its schools for the blind and deaf, which were established by the Dutch Reformed Church in1881. The church also runs a printing press producing braille publications in several languages.

Returning War Veterans

. After World War I, Black African veterans returned to Worcester, where they were employed as cheap labour for construction projects. Due to a housing shortage, a squatter camp developed at Parkersdam.

The license plate prefix is CW, and the postal codes are  6850 (streets) and 6849 (boxes)

weather in Worcester today

Browse busineses and places to visit in Worcester

 

Things to see and do in Worcester

  • The Afrikaaner museum is in an attractive old cottage with a collection dating back to the mid-nineteenth century.  There is a display showing surgeries that were performed at that time, and a display of dental and surgical equipment that was used. used. The cottage was originally a residential home. 75 Church Street-023 342-2225
  • Kleinplaasie showgrounds
  • Pioneer School Heaven & Hills MTB – raises funds for the Visually Impaired and Blind 023 342 6244
  • This town is known for its schools for the blind and “Blind friendly” streets.
  • Blindianna museum
  • This is the only town in SA that has traffic lights that emit sounds to signal colour changes to enable blind people to cross safely
  • The Garden of Remembrance for the fallen in WW1 was designed by Hugo Naude
  • Karoo National Botanical Garden
  • Brandvlei Dam derives its name from what was the strongest mineral spring in the country.
  • Nuy Valley Fest
  • The Rainbow 30km race is held annually; it is an out-and-back course from the Institute for the Deaf Sports Grounds.  082-771-1543
  • The Beesloop is held during March. It includes a road race between vineyards and orchards, a fun walk, a fun fair, tractor rides, and more at The farm Oudewagendrift 082-3318889  Evd20@hotmail.com
  • Karoo National Botanical Garden
  • Dutch Reformed Church, Built in 1832
  • See also Rawsonville

For permits, fishing rules,  regulations and other practical outdoor information relevant to Worcester, see the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

Useful Numbers in Worcester

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

Emergency Services

  • Police: 023 316 1854
  • Fire: 023 348 9060
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Medical
  • Closest hospital; Provincial Hospital -023 348 1100
  • Pharmacy; 023 347 0844 (Quenet’s Family)
  • Municipal & Utilities
  • Water: 0860 12 12 12
  • Electricity: 0860 12 12 12
  • Transport & Roads
  • Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204
  • Traffic department: 023 347 0959
  • Community & Safety
  • Poison Information Centre: 0861 555 777
  • Snake/Scorpion/Spider Bite Hotline: 021 931 6129
  • Childline South Africa: 116
  • SPCA: Animal welfare 023 347 1049
  • Local Contacts and Community Resources 
  • Home Affairs: 023 348 8300
  • Post office; 023 342 6460
  • Library: 023 348 277
  • Museum; 023 342 2225
  • Tourism; 023 348 2795
  • Schools in Worcester
  • Worcester Primary School-023 347 0663
    Worcester Gymnasium-023 347 0426
    Lanner House School | An independentschool-023 347 5837
    Drostdy Technical High School-023 342 2320
    Worcester Secondary School-023 342 0857
    Victoria Park Primary School, Worcester-023 342 0770
    Worcester-Noord Primêre Skool sports grounds-023 347 0325
    Hexpark Primary School-023 347 5537
    P.J.B. Cona Primary School-023 345 1434
    Riverview Primary School-023 347 1817
    Laerskool Worcester-Oos-023 347 0453
    Somerset High School-023 346 4031
    Worcester NGK Oefen Primary School – 0233423993
    Vusisizwe Secondary School-023 345 2426
    Hoërskool Montana 023 347 0476
    Esselen Park Senior Sec School-023 347 0174
    Worcester RK Primary School – 0233423133
  • Scherpenheuwel NGK Primary School 0233404149

Where is Worcester located?
It is in the Breede River Valley of the Western Cape, about 120 km northeast of Cape Town along the N1 highway.

What is Worcester known for?
It is known for its vineyards, fruit orchards, agriculture, and historic buildings.

What facilities are available in Worcester?
The town offers schools, healthcare facilities, shops, administrative offices, and tourism services.

  • Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
    Learn more about the project HERE

 

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