Somerset West
Introduction
Somerset West is a town in the Western Cape of South Africa. Administratively it falls within the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality, in the Eastern sub-region.
For practical purposes, street addresses in Somerset West use the post code 7130, while post office boxes use 7129. Vehicles registered here carry the code CFM.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to understand who lives in Somerset West. A notable share of local homeowners are "swallows" — people who hold citizenship in a European country and keep a second or third home here, moving with the seasons rather than living in the town year-round. Because of this, some businesses cater specifically to the shopping needs of these occasional residents, and house prices in certain areas run relatively high. Expect a town shaped in part by part-time inhabitants, with amenities that reflect their tastes and spending.Getting there
By car, Somerset West sits just off the N2 east of Cape Town: take exit 43 for the R44 (Somerset West/Strand/Stellenbosch). From Stellenbosch, follow the R44 south.
Metrorail's Northern line runs trains roughly once an hour from Cape Town, taking a bit over an hour. Somerset West station is closest to the centre, but if you're heading for the beachfront, stay on to the terminus at Strand. Cape Town International (CPT) is about 30 minutes away by car, though no scheduled public surface transport covers the route; taxi shuttle services are available. Light aircraft can land at Stellenbosch airfield, about 20 minutes away on the outskirts of Stellenbosch.
Getting around
Public transport within Somerset West is limited, so how you get around depends heavily on whether you have a car. Minibus taxis are the main form of local public transport, useful for short trips if you are not driving, though they follow their own routes and informal stops rather than a published timetable. There is no conventional city bus network for moving between the town's suburbs or reaching nearby attractions, so plan on arranging your own transport for day-to-day movement. Walking works for local errands in whichever suburb you are based in, but the town covers a large area and its attractions are spread out, so it is not a realistic way to cover the region. Most of the town is amenable to cycling, but you need to bring your own bicycle, and there is not really anywhere to go within the urban area itself.
Somerset West sits on the Strand Line, a branch of Metrorail's Northern Line, with two stations in town: Somerset West and Van der Stel. Trains run roughly hourly westwards to Cape Town, via Kuilsrivier and Bellville, taking a bit over an hour, and eastwards to Strand. For a visitor the line is most useful as a link to Cape Town and the coast rather than for getting around town. If you are heading for the beachfront, stay on to the terminus at Strand station rather than getting off at Somerset West station, which is the closer stop to the town centre. There is no tram or metro-style network beyond this rail line.
Most visitors arrive by car, which is also the most flexible way to explore. From Cape Town, follow the N2 east and take exit 43 for the R44 (Somerset West/Strand/Stellenbosch); from Stellenbosch, follow the R44 south. The N2 is the main route through town, connecting Cape Town with Grabouw and George, while the R44 links north to Stellenbosch and south-east to Kleinmond via Strand and Gordon's Bay. This road access makes Somerset West a convenient base between the Cape Winelands and the beaches at Strand and Gordon's Bay, with the surrounding wine estates, the Helderberg Nature Reserve and the retail hub around Somerset Mall all easiest to reach by car.
Cape Town International Airport is about 30 minutes away by car. There is no scheduled public surface transport on this route, so your options are a hire car, a private transfer, or a taxi shuttle service; if you are flying in and not renting a vehicle, booking a shuttle in advance is the straightforward choice. Light aircraft can also land at Stellenbosch airfield, about 20 minutes away, though this is only relevant if you are arriving privately rather than on a commercial flight.
Where to stay
Most places to stay sit in the leafy, low-key residential pockets around town, so you get gardens and quiet rather than street noise. In the mid-range bracket, Berrydel Gourment Guest House on Berrydel Ave and Easy Five on Parel Vallei Rd both offer bed and breakfast, and Easy Five's hosts speak English and German. Albourne Guest House on Lourensford Rd stands out for its multilingual owners, who speak English, German, Dutch, French and Spanish. Somerton Manor, in Bridgewater, is another mid-range option.
- Willowbrook Lodge — a very peaceful hotel-guest house in its own garden near the Helderberg nature reserve, with very good dining at its D'vine restaurant.
- Berrydel Gourment Guest House — bed and breakfast on Berrydel Ave.
- Albourne Guest House — bed and breakfast on Lourensford Rd, with owners who speak English, German, Dutch, French and Spanish.
- Somerton Manor — on Somerset Street in Bridgewater.
- Easy Five — bed and breakfast on Parel Vallei Rd, English and German speaking.
- The Lord Charles — an upmarket hotel in its own grounds on the edge of town, with meeting rooms, a fitness centre and fine views; it caters mainly to tour groups, conferences and airline staff, and its buffet dinners are best avoided.
Food & drink
For a sit-down meal, Somerset West offers a spread of casual and special-occasion options. Craig's Casual Eatery sits on Main Road, while 96 Winery Road takes its name from its address on Winery Road. Seafood and sushi are on the menu at Blue Waters Seafood & Sushi on Lourensford Road, and meat lovers can head to Cattle Baron Steak Ranch on Huising Street. For Italian, Pomodoro in Lion's Square on Main Road serves wood-fired pizza in the evenings, with sit-down, take-away, and free local delivery all available. The source lists no dedicated bars, cafés, or wine estates for drinking, so plan your evenings around these restaurants rather than expecting a separate nightlife strip.What to see and do
Nature and wildlife are the main draws around Somerset West. At the Helderberg Nature Reserve, reached by following the posted roadsigns, you can walk the trails and take in the mountain scenery; the reserve keeps longer hours through the warmer months and closes earlier in the cooler ones. Monkeytown Primate Sanctuary on Mondeor Rd is home to a large colony of primates and makes an easy outing for families.
Wine lovers have several estates to choose from along Lourensford Rd and Vergelegen Ave, including Lourensford, Vergelegen Wine Estate and Morgenster Estate, all of which welcome visitors for tastings. Golfers can play a round at Erinvale Golf Club or Somerset West Golf Club. If you want to dive, the nearest operators are the dive shops and charter boats based in the Strand and Gordon's Bay, on the east side of False Bay, which run trips mostly from Gordon's Bay toward Rooi-els and put the wider Cape Peninsula and False Bay dive sites within day-trip range.
Three days in Somerset West
Day one: Base yourself in Somerset West and use it as your starting point for the winelands. Stellenbosch is close enough to reach easily, and from Stellenbosch you can continue exploring the surrounding wine country. Expect warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, so plan indoor tastings if the weather turns. In the evening, return to Somerset West for a meal and an early night.
Day two: Head to the coast at the Strand, where you can walk along the beach and take in the sea air. The Strand Line and Northern Line trains connect this area with Cape Town via Kuilsrivier and Bellville, so you can travel by rail if you prefer not to drive. If you are coming from Cape Town, Metrorail services run to the Strand, though it is worth checking schedules in advance.
Day three: Travel further afield towards Grabouw and George, or spend the day in Somerset West itself. Public transport options include minibus taxis and trains, but most visitors find a vehicle more convenient for reaching the wineries and coastal spots. Before you leave, take a walk through the town centre and enjoy the mountain views.