The bustling little village of Betty’s Bay along Clarence Drive is known for being a great holiday destination due to its beautiful landscapes and beaches. But this small town holds so much more. Here are 10 quick facts we bet you didn’t know about Betty’s Bay:
- The Cape Hangklip to Hawston area boasts significant archaeological sites where artefacts dating back 20,000 years have been found.
- Betty’s Bay is one of the longest villages in South Africa, stretching for 13km between the Kogelberg Mountains and ocean.
- The infamous whaling station at Stony Point was established in 1913.
- A large piece of the area now known as Betty’s Bay belonged to John Welsh.
- After John’s passing, the land was sold to Arthur Youldon, Jack Clarence and Harold Porter who established Rooi Els, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay.
- Betty’s Bay was named after Arthur Youldon’s daughter.
- The main road running through Betty’s Bay and beyond was named after Jack Clarence.
- Harold Porter went on to do the layout of the current Botanical Gardens and street plans of the town in the 1930s.
- Stony Point in Betty’s Bay is home to one of the only two shore-based African Penguin colonies in South Africa.
- The town plays host to its very own Belgian Master Chocolatier at Gaboli Chocolates.
