Bishopscourt
Bishopscourt
Bishopscourt, Cape TownB ishopscourt is a small, wealthy, residential suburb about 15 kilometres from the Cape Town City Centre. It is part of the Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, which includes the greater Cape Town area. Neighbouring Constantia, Bishopscourt is renowned as one of Cape Town’s oldest and most prestigious suburbs, well known for its elevated lush green location and grand homes set on huge grounds with manicured gardens. Home to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, well known as one of the most beautiful and greatest botanical Gardens in the world. Positioned on over 500 hectares on the slopes of Table Mountain, few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch.
Bishopscourt has approximately 350 houses, most of which reside on more than 3000 square metres of land. These properties can be described as baronial, and are popular choices among diplomats and politicians. Although secluded and exclusive in every sense of the word, Bishopscourt is conveniently close to many of Cape Town’s locations, making it the perfect choice for the discerning traveller looking for a private Cape Town holiday.
The story of Bishopscourt begins with Jan Van Riebeeck's expedition in 1658, where he examined the dense forests stretching from the mountain top to the Liesbeek River. In the hopes of creating ease of trade, he eventually set up a wine farm known as Bosheuvel, which soon became one of the finest farms of the day. Bosheuvel was granted in 1658 on loan by commissioner Johannes Cunaeus of the East India Company to Commander Jan Van Riebeeck. After being leased since 1848, Bosheuvel was eventually purchased in 1851 by the first bishop of Cape Town, Robert Gray, who renamed it "Bishopscourt" after the official residences of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town; For a long time after, Bishopscourt retained its original borders, enclosing a total of 213 acres of farmland.