BIRKENHEAD HOUSE
Hotel in Hermanus

Hermanus is renowned as the best land based whale watching destination in the world. Aside from being the best place to view whales on the planet, Hermanus is renowned for its wild beauty, artisanal food producers and its proximity to the Hemel-en-Aarde wine route. The town was originally called Hermanuspietersfontein, but the name was shortened because it was too long for the postal service. Full of quaint boutiques, markets and galleries, the town is a popular South African tourist destination for local and international visitors. The town is a scenic 90 minute drive from Cape Town. The pure air, pristine beaches and sheer tranquillity are a captivating combination in themselves, but for those looking for an energetic Hermanus holiday, a huge selection of outdoor pursuits is available. There is plenty to do in Hermanus for the whole family including surfing, fishing, quad-biking, mussel-picking, kite-surfing, golf, tennis, hiking, cycling and horse riding, as well as the more convivial pursuit of wine tasting in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The town’s fascinating history as a fishing village can be traced by visiting the Old Harbour museum, where old fishing boats and reconstructed fishermen’s shacks are on display. And for the more adventurous, explore the rich flora and fauna of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve with numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. Looking out from the terrace at Birkenhead House, two of the finest Hermanus beaches can be seen just a few steps away. The team at Birkenhead House will pack a picnic basket for you complete with beach bats and balls to take to the beach for a relaxed day on the sands. Grotto beach is the longest strip of white sand in Hermanus and has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Status. This award requires a high standard of cleanliness, environmental protection and rehabilitation, full-time lifeguards and security. Grotto beach in Hermanus lies to the East of Birkenhead House, an easy ten-minute walk away along the world-renowned cliff path.