Worcester is a charming town nestled in the Western Cape of South Africa, approximately 120 kilometers northeast of Cape Town. This town boasts a rich history, stunning landscapes, and a thriving agricultural industry.
High Street in the Worcester downtown area.
Historical Roots and Establishment
The area that became known as the Breede River Valley was inhabited by indigenous hunter gather and pastorals groups, the San and Khoi, before the arrival of Europeans. The first presence of European farmers in the Breede River Valley was in 1714. The farmers initially did not settle here permanently but migrated for grazing their cattle. Later, when loan farms were made available farmers settled in the area permanently. By 1830, there were already 329 farms established around Worcester.
Worcester was founded in 1820 after the then Governor of the Cape Colony, Lord Charles Somerset, instructed J.H. Fisher, the magistrate of Tulbagh at that time, to find a suitable area for the establishment of a new magisterial seat between the towns of Tulbagh and Graaff Reinet. Fisher was so impressed by the area of present-day Worcester that he subsequently recommended this area to Lord Somerset. Lord Somerset named the new town in honour of his eldest brother, the Marquis of Worcester. Charles Trappe was the first “landdrost” (magistrate) (Trappe Street named after him).
Another motivation for the establishment of the town was the building of a road over the Franschhoek Mountains, to link Stellenbosch with the interior of the country. The farms Roodewal (also sometimes referred to as Roodedraaij) and Langerug were obtained from Du Toit and Burgers for the establishment of the town. Worcester was laid out according to a grid pattern, typical for the new inland towns established at the time, with the main street, High Street, dominated by the Drostdy. The first plots (erven) were within the borders of Somerset, Durban, Riebeeck and Tulbagh Streets and were sold for between 200 and 400 Riksdaalders (equivalent to R30 to R70).
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Architectural Heritage
The western end of High Street ends at the Drostdy (Somerset Street), the oldest building in town (1823-25), built according to the neo-classical style. The neo-classical colonnade over the front door, the arches on either side and the parapet on top are all typical English Georgian features. The Drostdy was the most important building in the town at the time with the square leading up to the building which provided the necessary approach to fully appreciate the impressive building. The position of the Drostdy in relation to the lay-out of the town epitomises the fundamental principles of authoritarian town-planning. Due to the Breede River bursting its banks regularly the town developed to the east, the Drostdy at the western border of town.
This building served as magistrate’s office and residency until 1891. The Dorstdy consisted of a whole complex of buildings including the magistrate’s court, office building, houses for the secretary and clerk, and a gaol. The Old Goal was housed in the original Langerug farm’s wine cellar, around the corner from the Drostdy in Distillery Road. After a new magistrate’s office was built in the centre of town the Drostdy was sold to the Dutch Reformed Church. After the Anglo-Boer War the Dorstdy building was as a missionary training college (“Boeren Zending School”) for young men, especially those that had taken part in the war, and in 1911 it became an industrial school.
The construction of private buildings in town sometimes occurred in the absence of an architect. Many houses have Cape Dutch as well as Victorian characteristics (Church Street no. 160, 156, 129. 70, 54). Worcester even developed its own building style, the Worcester gable, a simplified neo-classical. The typical Worcester gable consists of four pillars with a wide bow across the tympanum (a semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, door or window) stretching over the width of the gable.
The Worcester gable can be seen in buildings in the historical Church Street No. 28 (1830) and Church Street No. Unlike Stellenbosch and Paarl, Worcester never suffered big fires and many of the original gabled houses remained largely unchanged. In 1850 the importation of corrugated iron began and many houses were provided with verandas, many of which were removed during subsequent restorations. Whilst many of the thatched roofs have been replaced, most of the buildings are in beautiful condition.
There is a heritage walk one can take through the old part of town. The route takes you through Church Street where most of the architecturally interesting buildings are situated with a few coffee shops along the way to make the leisurely stroll more enjoyable. The heritage buildings along Church Street include No. 68 Church Street, built c.1860 and has a Worcester gable - originally the residence of the Assistant Landdrost of Worcester, JF van der Graaff but today houses the Slow Living Café coffee shop, No.56 Church Street which dates to c.1860 and has a Worcester-type gable and belonged to a trader, and later a doctor, No.33 Church Street - a Victorian house built c.1886 and might have been used as a blacksmith, today a dentist’s office. Roodewal, No.28 Church Street, dates to c.1830 and has a thatched roof and typical Worcester gable.
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The thatched roofing was used as an adaptation to the warm dry summer climate when cooling was important. The steep slopes (45-50°) and thick (125 to 150 mm) layers are required for water to run-off from the roof with minimum penetration. The bricks used at the time weathered easily and had to be covered for protection. No.
Cultural Heritage and Museums
Worcester has a rich cultural heritage with museums that provide a glimpse of the rich history of the town. The Worcester Museum is a Cultural History Museum with the collection’s emphasis on the Cape Colonial history and a strong focus on agriculture with farm implements, wagons, furniture, glass, ceramics, textiles and metal goods on display. The museum grounds have been developed to represent a traditional Cape farmyard.
Live demonstrations depict activities of a bygone era such as the baking of bread in an outdoor brick oven and the forging of metal by a blacksmith. The Museum has a well-developed Educational Function, offering an Annual program with the focus on Traditional Farm and Household Traditions such as: The tramping of grapes for wine making; shearing sheep; milking cows and candle making. The Museum is consistently working at establishing and maintaining networks across the Community. One of the Museum objectives is promoting Social harmony and dialogue. Consultative Workshops are being held in the Worcester Community to gauge the support for new Museum interpretations of the development of Worcester and its People. The Community rich in its diversity, will find a common platform at the Museum, to show case itself!
Kleinplasie Historical Village.
The Karroo Desert National Botanical Garden
Another attraction is The Karroo Desert National Botanical Garden, which is a truly unique Garden. It Cultivates and Displays a wide variety of arid and semi-arid plants. The 154 Hectare Garden, lies at the foot of the Hex River Mountain range, 120 km North of Cape Town. Only 11 hectares are cultivated and the remaining 143 hectares, are comprised of natural vegetation. 'The Shale Trail and Grysbokkie Trail'; are the two Hiking Trails in the Natural Area. The most popular time to visit the Garden is during Spring, when the Annuals and 'Vygies', are in flower! The best time to see the Spring Flowers is from late July till late September. The Garden is also home to a large Succulent Collection. (Please contact the office to pre-arrange a guided tour if you wish to see this collection).
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Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden.
Wine and Olive Route
Worcester also, forms part of the magnificent Cape Winelands and falls under the Municipality of the Breede River Valley. The Area of Worcester has been producing wines for generations, and is Nationally acclaimed for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, as well as the lesser known Columbar. In fact, the Worcester Wine Route contributes about one-fifth of the National vineyards and more than a quarter of the Country’s total wine and spirits production, making it a major player in this industry.
Well-known Wine Estates along the Worcester Wine Route include the Estates of: 'Slanghoek; De Wet; KWV Brandy; Brandvlei; Du ToitsKloof and Opstal'. The Worcester Wine & Olive Route; boasts twelve Wine Cellars and one Olive Estate. It offers an unforgettable experience for anyone from novice to the connoisseur. Situated a 110km from Cape Town (depending on which wine cellars you include on your route) all the cellars are open to the public for wine tasting and sales. Some of the cellars also have Bistros and Restaurants on their Vineyards.
This Area, has been producing wines for generations and acclaimed for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, as well as the Columbar. It prides itself on both National and International Awards of distinction, contributing to about one-fifth of the National Vineyards and more than a quarter of the Country’s total wine and spirits production! The Worcester Area, which includes the Nuy Valley, the De Doorns Area and the R43 area, is known for value-for-money wines and olive products.
"Make a day trip of the route and stop in-between wine and olive tasting to enjoy the Bistros and Restaurants on the route, or experience the Worcester Wine & Olive Route on a weekend away and stay over at one of the beautiful, Guest Houses situated on the Route."
The Worcester Wine & Olive Route: A Taste of the Region
| Cellar/Estate | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Slanghoek | Award-winning wines, scenic views |
| De Wet | Family-owned estate, traditional winemaking |
| KWV Brandy | World's largest brandy cellar |
| Brandvlei | Historic estate, diverse wine selection |
| Du ToitsKloof | Cooperative winery, value-for-money wines |
| Opstal | Boutique wines, charming setting |
Outdoor Activities and Landscape
For any Cyclist, especially to Mountain Bikers, the Worcester Area is perfect. There are Routes for every type of Cyclist. Short Routes for families with children, Scenic Routes that will keep you cycling all day long, as well as Routes challenging every inch of muscle in your body. The fact that the 'Absa Cape Epic', has visited Worcester as a host Town no less than 4 times in the History of the event, is testimony enough and should already give Riders a good indication of what to expect!
Worcester is surrounded by impressive Mountains (including Elandskloof, Du Toitskloof,Slanghoek and Little Drakenstein). These towering rocky Peaks not only give the entire Area an unmistakable beauty, that remains a little mysterious, but also plays an important role in the climate and, therefore, the crops and wines that result. The climate here is more extreme, as the Mountains prevent many of the equalising factors from taking effect. Summers are hot and dry, and Winters are cold, wet and can sometimes bring snow on the Mountain Peaks.
Modern Worcester
WORCESTER is known to many, particularly those from Cape Town, as the town on the other side of the Huguenot tunnel or over the mountain, renowned for its sweltering summers and its picturesque, snowy mountains during winter.
Worcester received Municipal status on 30 September 1895. When Black Africans returned to Worcester at the end of the First World War, they were mainly employed as cheap labour for new construction programs springing up around town. At the end of the Second World War, housing in Worcester was at a premium and Worcester had a squatter camp at Parkersdam. It was also during these years that Worcester started to expand with new residential areas and an industrial area.
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