Noordhoek
Noordhoek
Noordhoek, Cape TownNoordhoek is a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, located at the foot of Chapman’s Peak on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula, approximately thirty-three kilometres to the south of the Cape Town City itself. Noordhoek can be accessed either from the scenic coastal road, Chapman’s Peak Drive, which leads out of Hout Bay or via the mountain road Ou Kaapse Weg which cuts through the picturesque Silvermine Nature reserve, which is part of the Table Mountain National Park. The Noordhoek valley remains one of the Cape Town’s treasured destinations, providing a unique rural atmosphere and rustic surroundings, with its famous long-wide sandy beach, the surrounding mountain ranges, and its vast wetlands. A wide range of activities and accommodation is offered in Noordhoek, with many guesthouses and private villas providing a wide variety of accommodation. Horse Riding on the expansive white sand beach, is a popular activity for Noordhoek locals and travellers alike. Possibly the greatest appeal for visitors to Noordhoek is the quiet, charming atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of city life, while the crowds are easily accessible with a short 25 minute drive.
Noordhoek is known for many things, but mostly loved for its beautiful beach. The long and wide snow white sand with the Atlantic Ocean for a backdrop is truly spectacular. Horse rides and surfing are a daily occurrence and any walking fans can even walk along the beach all the way to Kommetjie, which is about 8km’s. If you happen to run into an old Shipwreck, that’s of an old British steamer called Kakapo. The boat was driven ashore about 120 year ago, and the carcass of times gone by can produce some fantastic pictures with the sunset.
History of Noordhoek Noordhoek, meaning the Northern Corner, was first named in 1743 when it described the north corner of the farm Slangkop which was occupied by Christina Diemer, the widow of Frederick Rousseau. However long before this the valley was occupied by Khoi nomads. This is evidenced by the excavation of skeletons in Noordhoek. The first permanent European inhabitant of the area was Jaco Malan who built a house there. In 1857 the area was divided into six portions, most of these were bought by the de Villiers family. The farmers grew vegetables to supply the ships calling at Simon’s Town. An article in the Wynberg Times of May 1902 describes the village. The correspondent took the train to Fish Hoek and then walked along the road (in atrocious condition) to Noordhoek, about 61/2 kilometres away.