Darling
The Cape West Coast is littered with a number of charming towns that hark back to a different era when the world was a simpler time with smaller problems. One of its most lovable destinations is the small town of Darling which is less than an hour out from Cape Town and only 25km from the beaches of Yzerfontein. As mentioned above, Darling has an old-era ambience; the streets are lined with ancient trees, the homes have been restored to a former Victorian splendour, and it would not be strange to see a horse and cart strolling about. With all this and more, Darling, has become a top weekend getaway for weary city-dwellers in need of a well-earned mini-vacation.
Though Darling is smaller than other locations along the West Coast, there are a few attractions here that are guaranteed to keep visitors entertained. For instance, Darling is the home of South Africa’s legendary satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys’ theatre named Evita se Perron, which was named after his outlandish alter ego Evita Bezuidenhout. Evita se Perron is a terrific cabaret venue and restaurant where visitors will definitely not be disappointed after enjoying a show and meal. Adjacent to the theatre is the arts and crafts market, which is now owned by a trust that helps impoverished communities by creating grassroots projects.
Besides arts and cabaret, Darling is home to textile and clothing factories as well as a basket weavers’ association, while the town is also a flourishing agricultural centre that is a pivotal producer of potatoes, peas, sheep farming, wheat, dairy, and grapes. If you’re looking to explore the surrounding areas, the beach as mentioned is not far from Darling while the nearby Bird Island Nature Reserve offers excellent bird watching opportunities.
