Tag: outdoor

Woodstock’s a festive winner

If you are looking for a fun day out and a bit of gift shopping, then Woodstock is the place to be this summer. This eclectic area is truly a melting pot of unique shopping, dining and drinking options. The December holidays are upon us which means relaxing, hard partying and cool summer nights, so start planning ahead to visit a couple of these cool places.

Where to eat, shop and be merry
I doubt you can go to Woodstock and not visit The Old Biscuit Mill. It’s one of the happiest places to be! To avoid the desperate search for parking in the area during Cape Town’s busy summer season, catch a taxi or try to Uber. You will find everything thing you need for the best weekend in one place – including Christmas gifts! With a number of vibrant quirky craft shops for specialised and personal gifts and some delicious food stalls tucked inside this gem of a place, it really is a one stop shop for a tasty weekend!

By contrast, The Palms offers a calmer hideout spot away from the crowds. It’s stylish, airy and offers a variety of things to do and see. For family dining we love the hearty sandwiches and light meals at FOODWELOVE. If you’ve got an extremely sweet tooth and are seeking for a special treat, look no further than ROCOCOA Restaurant. This spot offers incredible chocolates, and you can even make your own.

The perfect place for a beer
If all of that shopping and eating calls for a beer, Woodstock is the perfect place to be. The local talent is established in the craft beer scene, with Woodstock Brewery, Woodstock Co-op, Riot Beer, Devil’s Peak and many more homegrown brands which now feature in lists of top Cape Town breweries and beers.

Something new, or something vintage?
Whether you’re seeking contemporary staples with a twist or a truly different vintage find, Woodstock is your best bet once again! There are quite a few vintage shops around and they’re all perfect for a spot of treasure hunting. Try out Woodstock Vintage, Muse Vintage Emporium or Dress Me Up for some cool clothes from back in the day. Vintage vibes aren’t just limited to clothes, either. Also try out The Vintage Lamp shop at The Palms for some beautiful memorabilia. They restore and make antique and period light fittings, which could be a great and unusual Christmas gift.

Woodstock has got you covered for the festive season. For shopping, dining and drinking with the best vibe and unusual options, get out there and start experiencing how lekker local is.

Five things to do in Woodstock this summer

In true Cape Town style, summer will suddenly be here, so now is the time to plan your activities before it officially arrives! Whether it’s going for a walk during your lunch break, or soaking up the sun at your favourite spot after work, make an effort to enjoy the fresh air right on your doorstep now the longer days are here. These are some of our top recommendations for the season ahead:

1. Trafalgar Park

Trafalgar Park was established in 1905 by District Six residents. With a rich history and lots of character, it remains one of Woodstock’s greatest treasures.

With well maintained paths and beautiful open spaces, it’s an ideal spot to clear your head after work or during your lunch break. Get your colleagues together, go for a walk on the footpaths and have your lunch on the grass – plus, spending time with colleagues outside the office environment can be great for team building.

If you live in Woodstock, the park is the perfect place to take the dogs for a walk or the kids for a play date on the jungle gym.

The community and organisations in Woodstock, including the WID team, value the park just as much as the residents and local workers. As a result, they work together to make it a safe and clean space for everyone to enjoy. It’s open daily from sunrise to sunset, and entrance is free.

2. Cocktails with a view

If you’re looking for a cool Caribbean-style spot in Woodstock to enjoy a drink and something to eat at a reasonable price, Jamaica Me Crazy is the place to go. There’s a rooftop view, amazing food and their famous cocktail and happy hour specials.
Follow them on Facebook to keep up with the new specials and regular events.

3. Explore on foot

If there’s one thing we certainly have more than enough of in Woodstock, it’s local coffee shops. If you can’t start your day without your morning caffeine, why not use the trip to get to know your area a little better? Start your morning with a walk to some new spots, and see the streets, people, and businesses we sometimes miss from inside our cars.

As always, we have some favourites that we recommend you try, all written up for you here. We’re really proud of the development and growth of Woodstock over the last few years and fortunate to call this cultural hub our home, so encourage you to take in your surroundings whenever you take a stroll.

4. Grab a cold one

It’s no secret that Woodstock has become beer heaven over the last few years, with new breweries opening their doors on a monthly basis. Woodstock has become awash with craft beer activity.

At WID we love our community, and we love local businesses. When these two are combined with one or two cold ones, it’s even better! Four of our top Woodstock craft beer breweries include Woodstock Brewery, Woodstock Co-op, Drifter Brewing Co. and Riot Beer – but we’re sure that there’s many more. Read more about those four in our previous blog post, and let us know which ones we should add to the list.

5. Market day

The market at The Palms brings stylish ‘plattelandse’ cuisine and fresh produce to the city. We reckon after one visit, this will become one of your favourite local markets. If you don’t have any plans for a Saturday morning, head down to one of Woodstock’s local gems for a laid back start to the weekend with live music, free entry and parking and some of the best food and people in the city.

Now that you know about our favourites, it’s time for you to share yours. Let us know about your favourite places and activities for summer, and let’s make the upcoming season a good one!

As everyone starts to be outdoors a lot more, please also be aware of your surroundings at all times and try not to walk around alone – safety is still our main priority. If you ever feel unsafe or notice anything unusual or suspicious, please don’t hesitate to give our control room a call on 021 462 1205.