WEB REF #: GO
This affluent residential southern suburb of Cape Town grew into a residential area around the original homestead of Stellenberg farm. The Dutch governors are said to have kept the kennels of their hunting hounds here. The name Kenilworth was applied first to the estate, and then to the railway station, and was probably taken from Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, which is the setting of Scott’s novel, Kenilworth. It has a village Main Road, a railway station, and almost a country village atmosphere, although it is conveniently located in suburban Cape Town. Upper Kenilworth is about ten kilometres from the city centre. It is twenty minutes drive from the warm waters of the False Bay beaches to the south, and about the same driving time from Cape Town’s International Airport.
Upper Kenilworth is very conveniently placed for easy access to the top Cape Schools - a fact that has enhanced its desirability – and to the prestigious Cavendish Square shopping centre in the adjoining suburb of Claremont. Close by is Newlands Cricket, the Western Province Rugby Ground and the Kelvin Grove Country Club. There are several private hospitals, and a number of top specialists have their rooms in Claremont. Also there are various Churches, a synagogue and a mosque and there is a very wide range of shops and businesses. Kenilworth itself has several churches and a reform synagogue.
A number of popular restaurants are located here, and there is a cinema complex at Cavendish Square in Claremont. The Baxter theatre complex is about ten minutes drive away. Other sports, recreational and gym facilities are also conveniently located. The Kenilworth Racecourse is the scene of the principal horse race of the Cape, the Metropolitan Handicap (The Met), run in January each year. The racecourse is situated in the lower part of the suburb, adjoining the military base of Youngsfield. Kenilworth’s own village Main Road offers a number of shops, restaurants and businesses. There is a post office off the Main Road, a railway station below the Main Road and a good bus service.
