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. |