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Durbanville

Published 14 July 2011Updated 19 February 2026

The site currently known as Durbanville was originally called: 'Pampoen Kraal'. On 2 September 1836 it was renamed; "D'Urban" in honour of Sir Benjamin D'Urban, Governor of the Cape. Durbanville is not your average Cape Town neighbourhood. There is so much more going on than the daily school run. This is a neighbourhood filled with great experiences for everyone to enjoy. Exploring the wine route will requires a day or two all on its own. There are so many farms to choose from and each one has many great things to offer its visitors. Some have very unique pairings (such as chocolate and wine or pizza and wine) while others are perfectly suited to families thanks to great facilities for kids and parents alike. There are 12 farms in the Valley and all are worth exploring : "Altydgedacht; Bloemendal; D’Aria; DeGrendel; Dimmersdal; Durbanville Hills; Hillcrest; Klein Roosboom; Meerendal; N’Tida; Phisante Kraal or Signal Gun". Durbanville is conveniently a mere 20 minutes,  North of the City of Cape Town. Durbanville is one of the oldest municipalities in the Western Cape Province and originally called: 'Pampoenkraal'- (pumpkin fold), after a meeting place for local farmers around some; fresh water springs, just beyond the Durbanville Hills.

Wine farming began in Durbanville as early as the 17th century, when the first farms in the area were allocated and vineyards planted with: 'Cape Madeira', the most popular white grape of the time. A number of these farms now form part of the: 'Durbanville Route' and award-winning wines, grown by generations of wine-makers and ranging across the red and white cultivars to individual cellar blends, can be sampled during the week.
 
The Durbanville Nature Reserve, deserves a mention, as one can picnic in this area - originally cleared of Port Jackson and laid out with paths by: "the National Council of Women", who uses the nature reserve to promote, protect and further the interest in the unique fynbos that grows here.
 
Rose Garden

Established in 1979, this rose garden began as an initiative of the Western Cape Rose Society, supported by Mr and Mrs Lindner and the Durbanville Municipality. Part of the site sits on land that once formed the Old Eversdal Estate, donated by the Schabort family, and the garden now encloses the Schabort family burial ground and memorial.

The first roses were planted in 1979, the trial garden followed in 1981, with the official opening taking place in 1983. Botanical highlights include 500 varietals and 4500 rose bushes, plus beds of medal winners, antique roses, hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers and shrubs. Don’t miss the gazebo featuring the ‘Fairest Cape’ rose.
33 Drakenstein Road, Durbanville

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The local craft market, held on the first Saturday of every month, is held at Rust-en-Vrede, in Wellington Road at the cultural centre, a Cape Dutch complex that dates back to 1850. This building is a national monument, which deserves a visit in its own right. It was originally a prison, a magistrate’s court, a school and finally a private residence. Today it is home to a coffee shop, a clay museum, with works by prominent South African ceramists, and a gallery that exhibits contemporary artists.

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Durbanville