CAMPS BAY
 The beach here is long, white and sandy with swaying palm
trees lining the avenue, giving it a real ‘South of
France’ feel. Although the Camps Bay Beach gets very
busy on a hot summer’s day, the sea is a bit too cold
to enjoy for longer than a couple of minutes. There are so
many cafes and restaurants with tables spilling onto the street,
that it is almost impossible not to be tempted to stop for
lunch or a sundowner cocktail. Behind this festive promenade
sit the rocky peaks of the Twelve Apostle mountains on whose
slopes are charming hotels and guest houses with wonderful
views and stunning sunsets
Camps Bay History
Camps Bay's history begins with Mr. Fredrick Ernst Von Kamptz,
after whom the area was named, who resided on the farm "Ravensteyn"
during the 1700s.
Camps Bay is surely one of the most beautiful bays in the
world today – nestled between the mountain range of
Lions Head, Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles and overlooking
the endless vista of the mighty Atlantic Ocean.
The most easily identifiable landmark in Camps Bay is the
Rotunda, which forms part of
The Bay Hotel, situated on the beachfront. The Rotunda was
built in 1904 and was used for dancing, roller skating, silent
movie shows, boxing and other sporting events.Another famous
landmark is the Round House situated in the beautiful forested
Glen area bordering Clifton, which was used as a hunting lodge
by Lord Charles Somerset in the 1800’s.
Thomas Bain was commissioned to build a road from Sea Point
to Camps Bay, using convict labourers. This road was completed
in 1887 and was named Victoria Road in honour of Queen Victoria’s
jubilee in 1888.
Places to visit:
* Woodhead Reservoir Museum on top of Table Mountain
* The Round House
* The Pipe Track
* Camps Bay Retreat – Argyle Street
* The Rotunda – The Bay Hotel
* Philly’s Plaque – Camps Bay Library
* Old Cannon – Opposite Camps Bay High School
* Power Station – now Theatre on the Bay
* War Memorial – Victoria Road, near Theatre on the
Bay
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