Historic Houses Trail - Carnarvon, Western Cape

The Historic Houses Trail in Carnarvon is more of a historical tour than a trail, this walk winds its way through the streets of Carnarvon, displaying pristine examples of traditional homes and church buildings. Many of the original houses of the settlement at De Bult (the first settlement in Carnarvon), as well as many of the Victorian houses and stylish mansions, that were built before and just after nineteen hundred, still exist and are in use today. The walk starts at the antique shop in Church Street which is an example of a Typical Karoo type house and the cottage next door, belonging to the owners of the antique shop, Dieter and his wife Ebeth, has a saddled roof house with Carnarvon type frieze.

The walk also passes by a monument which commemorates the soldiers from the coloured community that died in skirmishes between 1914 and 1945. The corbelled house and the Carnarvon Museum are also included on the walk and some time is spent here looking at the towns history. In Rivier Street you will find two beautiful old mansions in which former writer and school teacher D.F.Malherbe as well as former writer, teacher and mayor of Carnarvon, A.G.Visser lived. From Rivier Street you will walk to Daniel Street, where the parsonage of the Duch Reformed Church, built in 1912, is located.

Also in Daniel Street is the main entrance of the Lord Carnarvon guest house. The guesthouse is located in two historic houses, that each has ahistory of its own. Should you be fortunate enough to bump into the owner, Pieter Hoffman, he will give you a firsthand version of the history of these two beautifully restored buildings. So many beautiful old building and all within walking distance while your car waits patiently in the shade outside the old antique shop.

For more information on the Historic Houses trail, please contact:
Tel: +27-53-3823685
Or email: plaaspot@gmail.com