Discover the grandeur of The Arderne Gardens in Claremont, Cape Town. It’s an award winner of Cape Tourism’s 2024 “The 10 Most Beautiful Gardens in Cape Town”, and honoured as an Experts’ Choice by Tripexpert.
As a South African Provincial Heritage Site, it spans five hectares and boasts over 400 trees, and it is home to some of the most exotic trees in South Africa.
This is a must-visit, whether you already live in Cape Town or are planning your next trip.
Getting to know Arderne Gardens
The Arderne Gardens date back to 1845, when Ralph Henry Arderne, a timber merchant originally from England, found his new home in the Cape, in Claremont, to be specific. He named his property “The Hill”.
He was also a plant collector and known for collecting trees from all over the world, notably his first Norfolk Island Pine. Over the years, his garden was beautifully developed by him and his son, Henry. When Henry died in 1914, Mr G. Wilks purchased the property. He eventually divided the land and demolished The Hill.
The garden was sold to the Cape Town Municipality, reportedly after Mr. A. W. van den Houten, the Director of Parks and Gardens for the municipality, urged the City Council to purchase it to preserve it.
Since then, the gardens were well-maintained and developed over the years, but reportedly, they became neglected during the 1980s. It was rehabilitated by the Friends of the Arderne Gardens (FOTAG), a public benefit organisation formed in 2004 that continues to keep the gardens flourishing.
Visiting Arderne Gardens
The Arderne Gardens, located at 222 Main Road in Claremont, are open daily and free for the public to enjoy. It’s been an idyllic wedding location, picnic spot, and a place where the entire family can have a relaxing and fun day out, or if you need a break from the city buzz.
What’s more is that the gardens feature several Champion Trees, including one of the biggest trees in South Africa, the Moreton Bay Fig, also known as the Wedding Tree, which is native to Australia. For more details, check out their Tree Map about where you can spot them.
Donations are always encouraged to support FOTAG and the gardens’ preservation and maintenance. It’s advised to visit The Arderne Gardens website for more information about visiting, planning a tour, or contacting them.
Have you visited The Arderne Gardens?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
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