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6 fun things to do in Worcester
Not to be confused with its British namesake, the Western Cape's Worcester is more than a mini metropole. Located a mere 90-minute drive from Cape Town on the N1 towards Johannesburg, it's a gateway to an ever-widening range of attractions.
Situated in the Breede River catchment area, yet verging on the Karoo, Worcester is rich in history and natural splendour given the many mountain passes and impressive peaks that form the natural borders of the area. Here are six fun and adventurous things to do in Worcester.
Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
Scenic destinations such as the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, founded in 1921, beckon. Consisting of 124ha of arid and semi-arid terrain at the foot of the Hex River Mountains, this unique garden plays home to a variety of indigenous succulents. In springtime, these vygies put on a vibrant, colourful explosion of blooms.
Klipbokkop Mountain Reserve and Mountain Brewing Company
Combine a bent for nature with a brew, or two, by visiting the Klipbokkop Mountain Reserve, where the Mountain Brewing Company has set its microbrewery on the slopes of the Stettyn Mountains. Enjoy locally made craft beer while taking in the panoramas that unfold in every direction. The private reserve is a sanctuary for several endangered species and is popular with birdwatchers and 4 x 4 enthusiasts.
Hexpas Ecotrek
Exploring the valley is made all the more exciting with Hexpas Ecotrek. The company offers a two-and-a-half day Botterboom Hiking Trail – which traces the history of the area by following parts of the first railroad that was built to the north in the 1870s. There’s also a 13,5km mountain bike trail that heads towards the area’s original railway tunnels.
As you can tell, trains are a theme here and Hexpas Ecotrek’s pièce de résistance is a ride along one of these original train tracks. Tractor-drawn railway coaches wind along an abandoned narrow-gauge railroad that takes you up the Hex River Pass, where you can picnic and absorb the views.
Die Pampoen Padstalletjie
If you need a change of pace head into the town itself. Stop at the picturesque Die Pampoen Padstalletjie for farm-made delights such as apple chutney, bottled preserves and sugary fudge. The quaint farm stall occupies an old cottage and has achieved a small measure of fame by living up to its name. A cornucopia of pumpkins, squashes and butternuts decorate the building, making it an Instagram-friendly stop that’s hard to miss.
The Worcester Museum
The Worcester Museum is one of the highlights of the small central business district and offers free entry on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. While it focuses on the cultural history of the area, the museum is alive with regular demonstrations of bread baking, soap making, candle making, tobacco rolling, metalwork and donkey cart rides.
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Excellent food and drink
On the food-and-drink side, Worcester will not disappoint. Wine and olive tours are available, as are standout restaurants such as the Bosjes restaurant at Bosjes Wine Farm and the newly opened The Hussar Grill Worcester, the latest addition to Worcester’s horn of plenty. A grill room with a multiple award-winning wine list, The Hussar Grill is listed in the Eat Out Awards Top 500.
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Ruth Cooper 23 Oct 2018
Now that you know what’s on offer, what’s stopping you from visiting wonderful Worcester?
