Wellington Attractions
20km/12.5mi north of Paarl, at the foot of Bain's Kloof, is Wellington (pop. 26,000). Situated in a fertile fruit-growing region, it is the main center in South Africa for the production of dried fruit.
The first settlers here, in 1688, were Huguenots, who called the area Limiet Valley (the ''farthest valley''). Thereafter the settlement grew slowly. It was given its present name in 1840 in honor of the Duke of Wellington.
The Wellington Museum has a collection of material illustrating the history of the town and the valley, with a section devoted to the development of education. There is also a good collection of Egyptian antiquities in the Huguenot University College. Other features of interest are the beautiful Victoria Jubilee Park and the Old Blockhouse, a relic of the Boer War which is now a national monument.
The first settlers here, in 1688, were Huguenots, who called the area Limiet Valley (the ''farthest valley''). Thereafter the settlement grew slowly. It was given its present name in 1840 in honor of the Duke of Wellington.
The Wellington Museum has a collection of material illustrating the history of the town and the valley, with a section devoted to the development of education. There is also a good collection of Egyptian antiquities in the Huguenot University College. Other features of interest are the beautiful Victoria Jubilee Park and the Old Blockhouse, a relic of the Boer War which is now a national monument.
