Words: Kit Heathcock | Images: Natasha Lassen
Spreading from Upper Claremont’s leafy streets bordering on Newlands and Bishopscourt, through the bustling commercial strip along Main Road with Cavendish Square at its heart, across the railway line to the residential streets of Lynfrae and Harfield Village, Claremont has something for everyone.
Families enjoy the quiet streets where kids can safely cycle, and the green spaces including Keurboom Park, while students and young professionals enjoy the energy and nightlife to be found on Main Road, as well as the easy access to sports facilities, mountain slopes, and the beach, a ten-minute drive away at Muizenberg.
“I like the fact that there’s a lot happening. Claremont has a huge variety of things on offer, and also has some pretty great mountain views,” says part-time resident Robert Ketteringham. “The suburb always feels alive, and for me, that’s energising.”
Property
Upper Claremont is where to find desirable family homes on larger plots, with leafy streets within reach of Kirstenbosch Gardens and Newlands Forest. You’re above the railway line and Main Road with easy commuting into town on the M3. Below the railway line is a flatter landscape, the smaller plots and narrower streets of Lynfrae and Harfield Village built for early 20th-century rail commuters, and now no longer a best-kept secret as more and more families move here to renovate the attractive older houses.
“We were planning to renovate and sell in two years… and that was nine years ago,” says resident Holly Durcan. “We know all our neighbours because people are staying longer and younger families are moving in. Palmyra Junction and the upgrade to Belvedere Square have made a huge difference.” With the bottlenecks of morning traffic crossing the railway line, it’s more convenient to take the M5 into town from this side of Claremont.
Schooling
Another reason so many families are attracted to Claremont, is the proximity to all the best Southern Suburbs schools. Rondebosch Boys High School, Rustenburg Girls, Westerford, SACS, Bishops Diocesan College, Herschel and Springfield, all are a short school run away, along with the feeder primary schools for these. There are likely to be neighbours at the same schools, so lift clubs are easy to organise. If kids move on to UCT, you’re well-placed for that too.
Explore
On weekends and weekdays after school, the streets tend to come alive with people out walking dogs, kids on skateboards or cycling. In Lynfrae, the focus of many of these expeditions is Keurboom Park, which adjoins the playing fields of Rondebosch Boys High School and Western Province Cricket Club.
“Keurboom Park is a green lung with magnificent mountain views,” says Holly, “and I love the fact that everyone can use it – including dogs. It’s the one park where you can walk your dog without a leash.” Another hidden gem for picnics and strolls is Arderne Gardens, an arboretum and heritage site full of shady nooks and spreading lawns.
The flat terrain of much of Claremont makes it an ideal place to cycle, and Open Streets is pioneering a “bike bus” every Friday from Palmyra Junction in to the CBD to promote cycling to work. “I’d recommend the bike bus to anyone who would like to try an alternative to stress-inducing traffic jams,” says Robert, who’s already a regular cycle commuter. “The intention is to provide reassurance to novice riders who’d like to try longer distance cycle-commuting, but don’t necessarily know the best routes, or how to navigate traffic.”
Leisure cyclists enjoy riding the Liesbeek River trail, which is also great to explore on foot, with a children’s play park at Paradise Road. Mountain bikers and hikers have the whole mountain to explore from Newlands Forest, and with the M3 and M5 bordering the suburb, Claremont is conveniently connected to the whole of Cape Town.
“Claremont is a no-brainer as an investment. You can’t get more convenient than Lynfrae for schools and there’s a great sense of community here.”
Holly Durcan, resident
Eat:
- Starlings: coffee, breakfasts and lunches
- Coimbra: fresh croissants and breads
- Knead: casual meals and quiz nights
- The Creamery: the best ice cream
- Salushi: sushi and Asian cuisine
- O’ways Teacafe: South East Asian fusion vegetarian lunches and specialty teas
- A Tavola: authentic Italian food
Shop:
- Cavendish Square: full-on retail therapy and the monthly Made in the Cape market
- Belvedere Square: neighbourhood convenience
- Palmyra Junction: flagship Woolies Food, Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants and independent stores
- Access Park: factory shops and bargains
- Rosmead Avenue: after-work grocery shopping till late
Do:
- Stadium on Main: bowling, gaming arcade and Rush trampoline park
- Arderne Gardens: tranquil picnics
- Keurboom Park: dog walking and kids play
- Kirstenbosch: outdoor movies and summer concerts
- Kenilworth Racecourse: glamorous horse-racing events
- Cycle, walk or run the Liesbeek River trail
