darling
the cape west coast
HOW TO GET THERE
(GPS: 33 23S 18 23E)Clearly signposted, just off the R27, about 75km from Cape Town.
TOURISM OFFICE
Pastorie Street, Darling· Tel: 022 492 3361
ORIGINS OF THE NAME
Named after Sir Charles Henry Darling (1809-1870), Lieutenant-Governor of the Cape from 1851 to 1854.HISTORY
In 1682, pioneer explorer, Oloff Bergh, undertook a journey to the north and named this area Groenkloof. Some 30 farms were established here, amongst them was Langfontein where the town was laid out in 1853.By 1899 two Swedes, Nils Moller and G Thernstrom settled in Darling and founded a creamery. The Darling district is still known for its dairy products.
From 1901 administerd by a village management board. Achieved Municipal Status in 1955.
The annual Darling Flower show, held virtually every year since 1917, is not to be missed.
Darling was the most southerly village to which a Boer commando penetrated during the Anglo-Boer war (1899 - 1902). A Memorial was erected here in 1939 to honour Field Cornet C.P. Hildebrand of the Boer Forces' Martiz Commando, the southernmost boer casualty of the war.
An Airforce squadron was based here during WW2 with the object to give air cover against German U-boats.
POPULATION
7500PLACES OF INTEREST
◊ Evita's Perron, local theatre established in old train Station, and home to Evita Bezuidenhout.◊ Hildebrand Monument
WHAT TO DO AND SEE
• Museum - worth a visit• Voorkamerfest - annually in September
• Two private nature reserves
• A number of excellent wine farms and cellars
• Spring Wildflowers (August to October) in any of seven flower reserves
• Morning Market - first Saturday of every month
• Darling Gymkhana - annually in October
• 4x4 trails
• Number of restaurants and eateries in and around town
• See the accommodation page for accommodation in this area
