Somerset West

The quiet flower-filled residential town of Somerset West lies among vineyards, orchards and farmlands at the foot of Helderberg Mountain, some 40km from Cape Town.

Founded in 1822, the town was originally named Somerset for Lord Charles Somerset. 'West' was added later to differentiate it from Somerset East.

* The Helderberg Nature Reserve on the slopes of the Helderberg is famed for its magnificent proteas and disas and its abundant birdlife.

* Lourens Bridge on Main Street was built in 1845 to complete the road from Cape Town to the interior via Sir Lowry's Pass.

* The farm Vergelegen, 'situated far away', was granted to Willem Adriaen van der Stel in 1700. Here he builta splendid homestead and planted grain, vines and fruit trees. The ancient camphor trees at Vergelegen have been proclaimed national monuments.