Darling

Afrikaans name: Darling

Darling CBD

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Western Cape

About an hours drive north of Cape Town is the small town of Darling. It may be small but it has a big reputation when it comes to attracting tourists. What is the attraction? There are many of them including the spring flowers, fantastic food and, of course, the iconic South African personality Evita Bezuidenhout.

Darling is hosting more and more events during the year including country markets, flower shows and live acts at Evita se Perron.

The Darling Museum was established in 1978, by some of the farmers' wives, to highlight the butter making history of the area. Besides the butter exhibits there are agricultural implements on show and displays of various Victorian and Edwardian furniture. There is also an exhibit to highlight the heritage of the San and Khoe people who have inhabited South Africa for so long.

There are a number of good restaurants in the town but eating at 'Evita se Perron' is more than just a meal. Evita Bezuidenhout, the stage name of actor Pieter-Dirk Uys, is well-known in South Africa and this is her home and restaurant. It is open for breakfast and lunch on Tuesdays through to Sundays. Dinner is only served when there are shows on or for private functions.

Besides the attraction of the spring flowers, nature lovers will enjoy a visit to Buffelsfontein Game Reserve and !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. The area surrounding Darling is also great for birders. Darling is part of the Swartland Birding Route.

A variety of accommodation is available for visitors including self-catering, guest houses, B & B's and there is even accommodation on some of the farms nearby.

Have you been to Darling? Would you recommend it?

Above - Darling CBD

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Evita se Perron - home of Pieter-Dirk Uys and his well-known stage character Evita Bezuidenhout

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Dutch Reformed Church (1958)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Presbyterian Church (1915)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

West Coast Tourist Guide - Author: Cornel Truter - Published: 1998 - Page: 27

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 45

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 20

Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 46

Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 36

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 154

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 49

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 40

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 26

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 31

Mooiloop! The Book - Author: SABC 2 - Published: 2016 - Page: 170

go! - Issue 138 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 42

go! - Issue 156 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 117

go! - Issue 086 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 64

Getaway - Vol 35 No 03 - Author: - Published: 2023 - Page: 32

Getaway - Vol 30 No 11 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 42

Getaway - Vol 28 No 09 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 62

Essential Birding: Western South Africa - Author: Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode - Published: 2000 - Page: 44

Country Life - Issue 286 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 92

Country Life - Issue 277 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 80

Country Life - Issue 278 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 36

Country Life - Issue 259 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 78

Country Life - Issue 253 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 72

Country Life - Issue 229 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 80

Country Life - Issue 222 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 40

Country Life - Issue 182 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 64

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 47

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 664 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 35

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 115

West Coast Way - Darling

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