Hi, I’m Alida from Twins Guesthouse in King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape.
King Williams Town IS BEST KNOWN FOR its historical buildings and sites. The town started as a mission station on the banks of the Buffalo River in 1834 and boasts a number of old and interesting buildings. The British Kaffrarian Savings Bank housed the financial institution from the 19th Century to the current time and Fort Murray dates back to 1848.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Terry’s Sound and Vision. If you don’t fancy that why not find a suitable spot in the Botanical Gardens. The gardens are beautiful and feature five separate conservatories.
THE BEST historial PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT The Catholic Church. The Holy Trinity Church was constructed by soldiers garrisoned in the town.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT The Amathole Museum – the museum is the home of the famous hippopotamus, Huberta.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO go into the Amathola Mountains.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO visit the museums we have here in King. The Kaffraria Museum was founded in 1884 and boasts the largest collection of mammals in the world. The South African Missionary Museum details the missionary history of the area.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS April to July, BECAUSE then the weather is best.
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS Wimpy. I love the Wimpy breakfast and of course their coffee is renowned all over South Africa!
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST The Spur. Any South African knows Spur offers great value for money and foreigners can be assured of a great tasting steak or burger.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS The King Club, make sure you TRY THE pork dishes – absolutely sensational.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM Steers – the chips with the salt seasoning is delicious when you have late night munchies!
MY FAVOURITE picnic SPOT IS the Maden Dam. Both the Maden Dam and Rooikrantz Dam are beautiful recreational areas. Maden Dam has a hiking trail that starts in the Pirie Forest and forms part of the Amatola Trail.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY one of the Taverns. You are bound to get a great meal and a cold beer!
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO The King Club.
King Williams Town’s BEST KEPT SECRET IS all the beautiful old buildings. For such a small town we have a great variety of lovely old buildings; from forts to churches, banks, memorials and museums. There is something for everyone.
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS to go to Hogsback in the Amathola Mountain Range. Hogsback is a magical place high up in the Amathola Mountains. The area is surrounded by indigenous forests, waterfalls and swirling mist. The 800 year old yellowwood tree is a must to see.
FOR SOME LIVE MUSIC, I LIKE TO GO TO The Tavern.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO I like to go to the beach at Kidds Beach. This is a small village close to East London and was named after the first European to settle here, a seaman called Kidd!
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY the casino at Hemingways Mall in East London. You might strike it lucky!
MY FAVOURITE WALK, HIKE and DRIVE IS into the Amathola Mountain Range. It’s just so pretty – I keep going back for more.
MY FAVOURITE shoe SHOP IS Joley’s.
MY FAVOURITE sunrise WATCHING SPOT IS the upper end of Queens Road. There is nothing quite like an African sunset.
IF YOU’RE HERE IN July, JOIN IN THE FUN AT the Hogsback Christmas in July. Enjoy the Hogsback winter weather and spend family time in front of roaring log fires.
MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM IS Hubertha Museum. CHECK OUT THE African History.
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS the Anglican Church, FOR ITS style and atmosphere.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS the beach at Cosy Corner. Buy a bucket, spade and fishing net and your children will entertain themselves for hours.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS to the beach at Kidds Beach. The tidal pool offers safe swimming for children (but still keep an eye on them) and the indigenous flora on the surrounding hills makes it a pretty day out.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO go to East London for movies, theatre, restaurants and shopping. There is nothing like a day of retail therapy and entertainment in the big smoke.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS all the people getting on so well. We have been a Rainbow Nation for at least 25 years!
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS Katberg. This lovely area is full of clear river, lush green valleys, waterfalls and ravines and great hiking trails.
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I organise functions that reach out to all.
We live in a tranquil community. We are have lots of clean, fresh air and are near to nature. Our town is one of the safest towns to be in.
I Love King Williams Town BECAUSE the town has a real sense of community and it’s my home.
Useful King Williams Town Links
- King Williams Town Attractions
- King Williams Town Accommodation
- King Williams Town Hotels
- Eastern Cape Hotels
- Eastern Cape Accommodation
Desirable Digits
The Amatole Museum: +27(0)43 642-4506
The Kaffraria Museum: +27 (0)43 642-4506
