Pniel, Cape Winelands
If you have ever driven the R310 from Stellenbosch along Helshoogte, a lovely alternative route through to Franschhoek, then you've passed through the little village of Pniel. Linking the two major wine towns in this way makes for a more than pleasant weekend filled with good food, gorgeous views, and wine enough to fill the boot of your car.
The town of Pniel, nestled at the foot of Simonsberg, lies just outside Stellenbosch. Not only does the little village lie surrounded by vineyards and mountains in one of the most wonderful spots in the Western Cape Province, but its history is very interesting. Pniel started out as 19 hectares of land donated from the farm De Goede Hoop established as a mission settlement for the landless and homeless slaves of 1842 (the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 abolished slavery throughout most of the British Empire, including 40 000 slaves in SA).
Today its oak-lined main road is filled with quaint houses, some of the them built for the freed slaves by Sir Herbert Baker (hence the humps in the road, to make sure you take the time to look around you!), whilst its name, which means 'face of God', is taken from Genesis 34 verse 30. In 1843 a further 43 hectares were added to Pniel from the neighbouring farm, Papier Moulen, and the whole area was subdivided into plots and granted to emancipated slave settlers on a permanent tenure basis, to be inherited by their children.
One can organise tours by local residents that include the history and the significance of the 160 year old church.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
As you drive through this little town you get a feeling to just no more and more about this place and it is really located in the most beautiful spot in Cape Town
Bernadette (cape Town)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
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Lumley's Place B&B
Lumley's Place B&B is in a safe, quiet setting with breath-taking mountain & valley views. Relax in one of our four-star rated bedrooms. Our sinc...
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Boschendal Farm Estate
The accommodation at Boschendal Farm Estate comprises of a number of historical cottages that have been renovated to offer guests an opportunity ...
Things to do in the area
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Delaire Graff Estate
Situated on Botmaskop Peak along the Helshoogte Pass and once served as a lookout point for ships sailing into Table Bay Harbour. Farmers could s...
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Winelands Exclusive E-Bike Experience
The electric bike tours with E-lectric Ventures promise an unforgettable way to experience the Winelands of the Western Cape with the fresh air o...
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Alluvia Winery
Nestled amidst the breathtaking Cape Winelands, Alluvia Wine Estate is more than just a winery. It's a captivating destination where luxury meets...
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Bartinney Cellars
Once described as the most beautiful valley on earth by a Harrods Director who first established the estate in 1920. The Manor House speaks of a ...
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Camberley Wines
Camberley is a small winery along the Helshoogte pass beneath the Groot Drakenstein Mountains. It was a winery which came about from the winemake...
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Le Pommier Wine Estate
Le Pommier meaning ‘The Apple Tree’ in French is situated on the 300 year old Zorgvliet farm and used to be an apple orchard. The farm was first ...
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Oldenburg Vineyards
Adrian Vanderspuy purchased Oldenburg Vineyards in 2003 which was originally a working fruit farm and with whom his grandmothers both had past co...
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Rainbow’s End Wine Estate
After driving off the beaten track and enjoying breathtaking views of Banghoek Valley and slopes of Jonkershoek Mountain, you will totally unders...
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Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy
Amongst the many wine estates in the region lies the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy. Renosterveld is a threatened type of vegetative ha...
Noteworthy attractions
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Huguenot Memorial Museum
The story of the Huguenot Memorial Museum is quite fascinating, and lends the building and its contents a certain charm and intrigue. In the 1700...
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Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
The 42,000 ha Reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch mountains in the west, eas...
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Stellenbosch Wine Route
Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, the Stellenbosch wine route is the oldest in the country and represents over 300 wineries. Because of this it is ...
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Wijnland Auto Museum
There are those who live in Cape Town and its surrounds who have not even heard of the Wijnland Auto Museum, one of the most interesting places t...
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Paarl Vintners Wine Route
Paarl Vintners has earned its place as the world’s first ‘red route’ because of its focus on wines such as Roodeberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, port an...
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Huguenot Monument
The Huguenot Monument is dedicated to the cultural influences that French Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony after their immigration durin...
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Limietberg Nature Reserve
Lying in the Du Toitskloof Mountains close to Paarl, Limietberg Nature Reserve is a beautiful space in which to spend time, particularly if you a...
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Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
The beautiful Jonkershoek Nature Reserve lies in the Jonkershoek Valley just above Stellenbosch. Surrounded by the magnificent Jonkershoek Mounta...
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Paarl Golf Club
The course is laid out over an indulgent 140 hectares and the 27 holes have been grouped into the Berg River, Paarl and Boschenmeer “Nines.” The ...
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