Welcome to the glorious town of Worcester, nestled in a golden valley with a selection of hidden gems for the whole family to discover.
Located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
Find Worcester on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
Worcester is accessed via the N1 from Cape Town but en route do stop in the town of Paarl at the foothills of the mountains. The Paarl landscape is dominated by a cluster of large granite, dome shaped rocks and the graceful curve and towering main spire of the Afrikaans Language Monument which soars up the 57meters high. These two landmarks fall within the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, a very pretty landscape of fynbos vegetation and massive granite rock formations set among wild olives and other indigenous trees. Visitors can enjoy hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking, fish for bass in Nantes Dam or relax and picnic or braai at Mill Water and enjoy the Wild Flower Garden. The Language Monument is fascinating to explore and offers spectacular views, fascinating walks, picnic sites and a restaurant and curio shop.
The KWV Emporium is a good place to sample local wines and tastings paired with chocolate or in true South African style with biltong and nuts. A Brandy tasting is paired with handcrafted Belgian chocolates.
There are quite a few craft breweries in and around town, one named after the Berg River that runs through the town and continues all the way to Velddrif on the Cape West Coast. With well over 20 wine estates to visit and 4 of them also being part of The Brandy Route, you might need a driver.
Leaving Paarl you begin the ascent up the mountains and the most beautiful vista of the Winelands is the last thing you see before you enter the Du Toit’s Kloof Tunnel that cuts through the mountain. Exiting the tunnel on the other side, majestic views and winding roads lead you past fertile vineyards as you approach the town. Worcester was founded in the 1820’s and is the gateway to the scenic Route 62. Surrounded by impressive mountains, these rocky peaks create a climate of hot dry summers and snow on the mountain tops during the cold wet winters.
Explore the wonders of our indigenous succulent plants at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens. Spring is the best time to visit as it is when many of these hardy plants flower creating a rainbow of colour against a backdrop of snow capped mountain peaks.
The Worcester wine and olive route consists of 12 wineries and an olive farm. It is part of an important wine region accounting for more than a quarter of the countries national wine production.
The Worcester Heritage walking route is a journey of discovery into the rich architectural history of buildings such as The Drostdy, the Dutch Reformed Mother Church and Beck House. Eighteen sites make up the route which passes two coffee shops for refueling and a quiet recharge in the Garden of remembrance in Church Square.
Try your luck at the friendly Golden Valley casino and stay a while at the three star lodge and walk in the past at the interactive Kleinplasie Open Air Museum that features the lifestyle of the early settlers.
Worcester is located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
Open 7 Days a week
Distance from Cape Town: 112km
Where: N1
Contact: +27 (0)23 342 6244 | [email protected] | www.worcestertourism.com