Claremont Upper, Cape Town

Easily the centre-point of Cape Town, Claremont Upper can be described as the heart of the Southern Suburbs; With large family-oriented properties and vast gardens, all in relative proximity to beaches, parks, schools and the Cape Town CBD, Claremont Upper is framed with a picturesque mountain backdrop. The popular, leafy suburb is situated adjacent to Main Road and above the railway line, neighbouring both the Newlands and Rondebosch suburbs, a short distance from the celebrated Newlands Cricket Grounds and nearby to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the Arderne Gardens, two local destinations of nature's beauty. Due to a thriving and prosperous CBD as well as falling squarely within the UCT (University of Cape Town) catchment area, the suburb has seen the rise of many new sectional title developments, in the form of apartment blocks that offer residents and visitors a modern, secure and easy lifestyle. Claremont Upper is a suburb that feels linked to the whole of Cape Town, yet has everything you need right on your doorstep.

Brief History of the Area: 

The story of Claremont Upper has a farmland-turned-village history, dating back to the early 1800s, with the first estates emerging when (predominantly) British settlers purchased 'countryside' properties; Claremont Village began to emerge there, with the area gaining its name after the expansive Claremont House Estate situated in the area. John Molteno, who later became the very first prime minister of the Cape Colony, subsequently purchased 140 acres of the estate. In 1890 the entire Claremont area was granted separate municipal status, ultimately becoming a suburb of greater Cape Town in 1913. Substantial residential growth took place in the 1920s and 1930s when numerous estates such as Ravensworth, Wyndover, Sanatorium Estate, Edinburgh Estate, Keurboom, Palmyra and The Vineyard were subdivided and developed; An additional railway station, named "Harfield Road", was also constructed in 1931. The area remained residential until the early 1970s, when commercial development began, markedly with Cavendish Square in 1973, the destination shopping centre that would later housetop retail brands, restaurants, boutiques, fast-food outlets and a multi-screen cinema house. In the 1990s, a further building boom occurred and the suburb is presently undergoing another, which includes the construction of a hotel, two office blocks, three large apartment blocks, the remodelling of three commercial buildings, and the construction of a transport interchange coupled with an additional bypass road.

Schools in the Area:

Claremont Upper is centrally situated around several respected public and private schools.

Public schools in the area include:

• SACS Boys High School

Situated at the foot of Table Mountain and Devil's Peak, SACS Boys High School is famed as being the oldest high school in South Africa. SACS takes pride in its balanced education that combines strong sports programmes with a sturdy academic curriculum. The school strives for excellence in all spheres of school life, placing a strong emphasis on high moral values while seeking to prepare its boys to become men who are successful and contributing members of modern society.

• Westerford High School 

With their motto of "Nil Nisi Optimum" and a focus on the holistic, balanced development of body and mind... It is no surprise that Westerford High School has earned itself the reputation of being "the school that never sleeps". Westerford is a co-educational, secular public high school that prides itself on being a pupil-centred institution, with a compulsory sports programme, robust academic curriculum and a passionately embraced cultural school environment. 

Private schools in the area include: 

• Herschel Girls School

Combining decades of experience in education with a forward-thinking approach, Herschel Girls School is an independent Anglican school for girls that offers an excellent IEB-structured academic education and has a fine reputation for music, drama and sport. Herschel Girls seeks to provide an unparalleled learning experience from Pre-Nursery level through to Matric, moulding its girls into capable and strong future female leaders of tomorrow.

• WPPS (Western Province Preparatory School) 

Western Province Preparatory School strives to educate its boys to become young men of consequence, using it's advanced IEB-structured curriculum. With over 100 years of tradition and a rich history, WPPS endeavours to equip its learners with the necessary skills, values and positive outlook required to face the challenges of today's world.

Shopping Centres:

Claremont Upper is situated close to Cavendish Square, the award-winning popular regional shopping centre, deftly located in the Southern Suburbs, and branded as being a premier fashion destination, boasting 180 stores. Cavendish Square offers a premium selection of international as well as local brands, alongside some of South Africa's most respected anchor tenants and also offers a wide variety of restaurants, stores, 5 forex banks and 8 cinemas all positioned in a secure, safe shopping environment. Cavendish Square has an average intake of around 1.2 million shoppers per month, with stores covering fashion, leisure and select services tailored to every consumer need. Upmarket and stylish, Cavendish Square offers a balanced mix of individual boutiques, chic décor stores and high street chains that appeal to all ages, whether seeking a day of retail therapy or dinner and a movie with friends. The Made in the Cape Market is also held here for a full weekend (Thursday to Sunday) every month and flaunts an assortment of gorgeous handmade designer goods. With a host of coffee shops and convenient Cavendish Wi-Fi available, checking your emails before work has never been easier and with numerous shops and services lining the adjacent streets, Cavendish Square is a mall that connects with the surrounding neighbourhood. Stadium on Main, another nearby mall also offers up pool tables, a games arcade and houses the Rush trampoline park.

Distance from Key Points:

Claremont Upper is centrally situated, giving residents and visitors easy access to any surrounding key locations, being a brief drive (or Uber ride) to the Cape Town International Airport, only 16km away. Claremont Upper is also adjacent to the UCT Jammie Shuttle service stop and the Claremont train station is also nearby, allowing ease of travel into Cape Town's CBD.

Restaurants/Entertainment: 

Claremont Upper boasts an abundance of diverse restaurants and cafés, including:

• A Tavola

A premium Italian restaurant offering fresh, local ingredients in a family-oriented atmosphere, evoking the true art of Italian dining. 

• The Eatery - Wood Fired Grill

Established in 2015, The Eatery - Wood Fired Grill is an owner-run family business that offers a menu that is inspired with a unique braai flavour, including ribs, steak, gourmet burgers, grilled seafood, espetadas and regular seasonal specials. You'll also find craft beer on tap, Caturra coffee, delicious milkshakes, classic cocktails, artisanal gin and a large selection of wine on their beverage menu. The restaurant also offers indoor-, outdoor seating and includes a children's play area (complete with a jungle gym), ensuring parents will be able to relax while their kids are entertained. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, with breakfast served on weekends, the Eatery - Wood Fired Grill is certainly the place to be. 

• Hudsons - The Burger Joint

For those looking for a classic burger and milkshake combo, Hudsons has you covered; As an American-style diner with more than a decade of experience, rock and roll music, attentive staff and a vibrant atmosphere, Hudsons sets a fast-paced tone for the urban consumer on the hunt for their burger fix. Hudsons offers up more than 20 different burgers available in beef, chicken, ostrich, vegetarian and carb-free options, all bursting with many creative flavour combinations. A Hudsons' burger is best complemented by their colossal milkshakes, which along with their burgers, have achieved cult status. While there is a wide selection of burger-friendly craft beers and many other tasty food options that include salads, pizzas and grilled pork ribs, as their name suggests, you should come by for the burgers.

In regards to nightlife and entertainment in the Claremont Upper area, one could consider:

• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Any stay in Claremont Upper would be sorely disappointing without a trip to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Spend a day wandering in what can be called an apex of Cape Town's natural beauty or simply have a relaxing evening of cinematic enchantments under the canopy of stars with The Galileo Open-Air Cinema. Screening the best line-up of films, ranging from cult classics and romantic comedies to family favourites and even popular musicals, The Galileo Open-Air Cinema is worth the experience.

Special Attractions:

• The Ster-Kinekor Cine Prestige

Designed to create the quintessential premium cinema experience, with fitted snack trays, refrigerated cup holders and large, lavish leather recliners. In addition to this you'll also find professional waiters serving premium delights which include decadent cupcakes, red-velvet cake and cappuccinos. As you enjoy your snacks, unwind to the experience of quality surround sound and crystal-clear images, courtesy of the cinema's advanced speaker systems and digital projector technology; There is honestly no better way to view a good film.

• Arderne Gardens

Located at number 222 Main Road, lies the magnificent Arderne Gardens with its Japanese-style ponds and shady glades, housing the most valuable and diverse collection of exotic trees in the entirety of South Africa. The Arderne Gardens collection includes trees such as the Wedding Tree, the Aleppo Pine and four others which were proudly designated as Champion Trees in 2008. The Arderne Gardens is open daily to the public for free and runs on a donations system, being maintained by the FOTAG (Friends Of The Arderne Gardens) Organisation, a public benefit organisation that dedicates itself to raising public awareness and improving maintenance for the gardens. The Arderne Gardens is also designated as a South African Provincial Heritage Site due to the National Monument placard located near the entrance and is the perfect place to spend the afternoon escaping the bustle of Cape Town city life.