Company's Gardens
Stopp: 60 minutes
The Company Gardens is a park and heritage site located in central Cape Town. The gardens were originally created in the 1650s by the Dutch East Indian Company purposefully to provide fresh vegetables, fruit, and water.
Here are some of the reasons you visit this garden
History – It was built as a refreshment station for sailors sailing around the tip of Africa to and from the East. Ships sailing to the East would stop by after months at sea to stock up on fresh produce which was grown in the Garden and freshwater – hence, “The Company Garden”.
There is so much in terms of history in the garden, with a combination of memorials, statues, and monuments all contributing to the rich history of the Garden. There is more to see.
Critters – This garden is home to amazing and overwhelming amounts of fauna. In there you will find pigeons, Egyptian Geese, herons, rodents the famous squirrels and last but not least an aviary where you can view dozens of bird species. If you fancy it, you may buy a bag of peanuts in the gardens to feed the squirrels which are more than happy to scamper right up to you for a snack.
The Food
The Food – The restaurant in the Company Gardens is very popular with domestic and international tourists
Sit down and enjoy traditional Capetonian food that includes – burgers, sandwiches, fish, and chips. A variety of juices, beers, milkshakes, and wine can be enjoyed in the huge outdoor seating area. Really a lovely place to enjoy a city centre lunch, and beneath the large trees among the reeds- a dreamland
The Art- The Company Gardens is also home to the South African Art Gallery, which houses an impressive permanent collection of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Hamish art. This Gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions by some of the country’s top artists, and occasionally international artists too.
The Natural Beauty- A trip to the Company Gardens is not complete without sparing a moment to admire the beautiful flora. There’s an 80-year-old bamboo plantation, the Ginkgo tree with no living relatives, the towering rubber tree and the ancient saffron pear
Next to the Company Gardens is the South African Parliament, National Library of S.A. St Georges Cathedral, Slave lodge, centre for the books and more. After the Company Garden, you proceed to the Castle of Good Hope.