Somerset West Travel Forum

Hi there, I will be arriving in somerset west with a mate on 21dt june and staying for 4 weeks as we will be doing a medical placement in a local hospital. We are staying with the family of one of the workers at the hospital for the entire 4 weeks. I am just wondering what there is to do in the area and also any advice that anyone has would be appreciated!!

Cheers

Somerset West is not a prime tourist destination because it is overshadowed by the neighbour town Stellenbosch. (20 minutes by car). End-of-June is mid winter, the wettest, coldest time of the year, so the beaches of Strand and Gordon's Bay are not a great attraction, except for strolling. Nice flora nature reserves nearby and good mountain hiking. . . . in Summer (you might see snow on those mountains, but the temp in the town won't drop below freezing. Google Stellenbosch and/or Helderberg to give you the slightly bigger picture. The city of Cape Town is only 40 minutes away (again by car). Public transport out of Somerset West is a problem. The locals are friendly though . . . I went to school there and our daughter lives there now.

Your motto says "See as much as you can, have fun and taste the local beer" Well, now's your chance to convert to wine. You will be on the edge of the Helderberg/Stellenbosch wine region!

I agree fully with Gerald..I am sur though, that you will visit Stellenbosch and Cape town regularly.

Enjoy your trip

regards

Mike

Named after Lord Charles Somerset in 1819, Somerset West has thrived and is now the commercial and residential capital of the Helderberg Basin whilst maintaining its village atmosphere.

Visit Vergelegen, an historic wine estate with interesting house/museum, gardens, wonderful restaurant & less formal picnic bar, pleasant walks etc.