Woodstock

Image courtesy of sharon.schneider

Woodstock, one of Cape Town’s oldest suburbs, is located within the City Bowl and within easy access of the city centre.

From Woodstock, visitors have views of the harbour to the north and Table Mountain to the south. Companies are encouraged to set up shop here to boost both the commercial and residential property markets. This has ensured that Woodstock is abuzz with activity. It’s not Cape Town’s most upmarket suburb, but it is authentic and vibrant, which can be partly be attributed to the fact that it escaped the trauma of apartheid’s Group Areas Act and was always a racially mixed area.

One of the suburb’s most exciting spots is the Old Biscuit Mill (+27 (0)21 462 6361) at 373-375 Albert Road. The converted mill houses a number of quirky shops selling jewellery, ceramics and stationery, among other things, and hosts the weekly Neighbourgoods Market. Sample delicious organic fare or buy one-of-a-kind clothing at this Saturday market. For art lovers there is also a gallery in the complex. If it’s theatre you’re after, make a beeline for the nearby Theatre in the District (+27 (0)79 770 4686).

After a long day of shopping and taking in the sights, head for one of the restaurants on Roodebloem Road, which offer a range of fare, from stylish Italian to family friendly.