Home / Destination Darling!

An hour north of Cape Town and a million miles from anywhere, lies the historic farming town of Darling. Nestled in fields of corn or Canola, this old town is also the gateway to the West Coast wildflower reserves attracting thousands of visitors each year. Darling’s traditional claim to fame was its butter manufacturing and even today, sweet butter from its rolling green hills is delivered around the country.

In the 1800’s cannons were used to relay calls from the Cape to alert local farmers and merchants that supplies were needed for incoming ships. One such cannon was located on Klipberg north of Darling. This cannon can still be seen in front of the Darling Museum in Pastorie St.

 

WHAT’S TO SEE AND DO IN DARLING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

 

GROOTE POST

Groote Post was built over the 1700’s and became the hunting Lodge of Lord Charles Somerset. The house had 29 rooms and a large oven capable of baking 70 loaves of bread! Later it became the home of the Duckitt family including the famous authoress Hildagonda Duckitt. Today Groote Post has a magnificent wine cellar and tasting room, and the famous Hilda’s kitchen restaurant. (Bookings are essential.) Other attractions include Game and farm drives, with stunning views to Table Mountain.

DARLING MYSTERY TRAIL

The Darling Mystery Trail offers fun and exercise for the whole family or group. It is a mix between treasure hunt and Sunday walk and takes visitors through the scenic historic village of Darling. Guests get their personal ticket and a map at the Darling Museum, then decide which path they would like to follow, solve the riddles, and find a treasure. The lucky winner goes into a draw for an overnight stay for two at the Darling Lodge Guest House.

MARMALADE CAT RESTAURANT, BARN AND CATWALK

A famous destination in Darling after 17 years, is the Marmalade Cat. Yes…the actual cat is still supervising proceedings after all this time! The “Cat” is open every day of the week from 8 am to 4.30 pm and welcomes both visitors and locals to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared country breakfasts, teas and lunches. You will never be disappointed in the great food or service. Don’t miss their Friday Pizza nights with their famous thin-based pizzas!

The Cat’s sister store the “Catwalk” is a must visit while you are there, with beautiful designs and fabrics to suit all age groups and pockets. Walk through to the “Barn” for the latest gifts and homeware.

HORSE RIDING

Come and enjoy scenic rides on a local West Coast sheep farm or at !Khwa ttu San Culture and Heritage Centre. Stunning panoramic views to the sea and surrounding hills which showcase indigenous flora and fauna.

In August and September, you will be treated to breathtaking carpets of wildflowers! At !Khwa ttu expect to see wildlife indigenous to the West Coast, such as Eland, Zebra and Springbok.

Specify your own time of day for riding, early morning rides up to sunset rides, and the occasional full moon ride.

THE MAD HATTER’S ROOM – ACCOMMODATION

The Madhatter’s Room, is a self-contained suite attached to and set in an eclectic, Mexican style home and garden. This self-catering establishment has ideal positioning for those who’d like to take in all that Darling has to offer. It’s within walking distance of the bustling hub of Darling’s Main Road and the Darling Museum and information centre are just up the road.

DARLING LODGE GUEST HOUSE

This beautifully renovated guest house offers a harmonious blend of old and new reflecting the romantic name of the little town. The main house has been renovated with its Victorian charm intact. The more modern garden annex consists of three generously appointed rooms with a vine-covered patio overlooking the pool. Exquisite comfort and personal service is just waiting for you. They have a pillow with your name on it!

The ancient pepper and palm trees, shade masses of lavender with its heady fragrance, and invites guests to relax and unwind.

DARLING BREW TASTEROOM

Africa’s first Carbon-Neutral brewery!

The Darling Brewery opened its doors ten years ago and with cutting edge design and practice soon became a key anchor in the Darling landscape with a superb range of products and a string of supporting cycling
and running events throughout the season. The Taste room has an outlook over the whole brewery and gives you the feeling of being in the actual engine room of production.

It is open to the public for an interactive tasting experience and boasts a locally sourced braai inspired menu. With a beer garden and kiddies play area, it is a great way to unwind and get onto the “Slow Way of Life”.

DARLING MUSEUM

Filled with artifacts of yesteryear, this is a place to contemplate the days of all things hand-made and hand-operated. The days when life rolled on according the seasons, and we all managed with hand-me-down items of clothing with no electricity or WiFi! A trip to Cape Town was by carriage and would take the whole day. These carriages are also in the museum, as are important items from the domestic environment when being a mother with a large family was no easy matter. Gathering the wood, cooking, ironing with a coal iron, kneading the bread and firing up a great oven. Darling was famous for its butter which is still manufactured today and is shipped right around the country. The Museum has a beautiful collection of antique butter washing, manually-operated machines for your inspection and enjoyment.

DARLING WINE ROUTE

Explore Darling’s award-winning wine gems! Visit the five Darling wine estates on a relaxed self-drive route. Mostly these wine farms are un-irrigated, low-bearing “bush” vines that dig deep to find water and mineral flavours. Long, slow-ripening summers with cooling maritime influences deliver special wines for your choosing. All wine estates are open to the public and some offer lunch, snacks, or cheese platters in their restaurants. Read more about the gems like Ormonde, Groote Post, Cloof, Darling Cellars and Contreberg and last but not least our local Darling Wine Shop in Main Street.

No ticket required. Make the most out of your visit, stay over in Darling and expect the unexpected.

Explore these links below for more info on attractions & activities, places to stay and Darling happenings:

www.hellodarling.co.za
www.khwattu.org
www.darlingbrew.co.za/pages/darling-brew-events
www.mysterytrail.info
www.evitaseperron.com/darling/

Download the wine cellars map on
www.darlingwineroute.co.za

Darling Museum and info office is open 7 days a week at Cnr Pastorie and Hill Streets Darling –
Contact 022 492 3361
info@darlingtourism.co.za

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