Doornkloof (original) (raw)
Doornkloof, Northern Gauteng
It is interesting, when you start tracing its roots, to realise that this part of northern Johannesburg, known as Centurion, has its heritage steeped in history despite being modern.
Lying between Pretoria and Midrand it once had not only its own town council and municipality but was also distinguishable as a separate entity from the two major cities.
Today Centurion, of which Doornkloof is part, seamlessly forms a bridge between Pretoria and Midrand. Lying at the intersection of the N1 and N14 highways all of this activity used to be three large farms, settled in 1841 � Zwartkop, Doornkloof and Brakfontein.
Doornkloof derives its name directly from these farms, as do the suburbs Erasmia, Elardus Park and Zwartkop. In 1889 Alois Hugo Nelmapius was to buy the northern and north-eastern parts of Doornkloof Farm and name it after his daughter, Irene, who died only in 1961 � alive to witness a further suburb named after her.
Doornkloof lies just south of Irene. In 1962 it combined with Irene and Lyttelton to form a city council known as Lyttelton, renamed Verwoerdburg in 1967 and changed to a more politically neutral Centurion in 1995.
A stay here is convenient for its access to OR Tambo International Airport, Pretoria and Johannesburg. Centurion and Midrand are regarded as business hubs in their own right and with the traffic congestion of Johannesburg as notorious as it is, a stay in Doornkloof is logical if business is your intention.
Even if it isn't, Irene and Doornkloof still remain slightly rural, despite the rapid growth of the area from sleepy smallholdings to thriving suburban residential areas. Pay a visit to Irene's Country Farm, where you can buy fresh milk, cheese and cream as well as sit down to a welcome tea, and you'll get the picture.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Self Catering
NAKO Safari Lodge
Located in the Pride of Africa Nature Reserve, Dinokeng, NAKO Safari Lodge offers guests a 5 Star, Big 5 Safari getaway just 1 hour from Johannes...
Self Catering
The Monte Carlo
The Monte Carlo is a 4 Star guest house offering accommodation in Centurion at the Centurion Residential Estate and Country Club. From here you a...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast
Absolut Guest Boutique
Absolut Guest Boutique offers exclusive accommodation in Centurion. We are conveniently located between Johannesburg and Pretoria and almost adja...
Guest House
River Meadow Manor
Tucked away in tranquil Irene amid lush green pastures and old oak trees lies a sparkling gem. River Meadow Manor exudes country-style sophistica...
Self Catering
Rocky Road Mountain Lodge
Rocky Road Mountain Lodge, nestled in the Magaliesberg, is situated just outside Hartbeespoort Dam and provides exclusivity and romance to its gu...
Guest House
Leopardsong Manor
Located in the Centurion Golf Estate, Leopardsong is known for its stylish decor and spacious rooms which overlook one of the best golf courses i...
Self Catering
Plaas Toe
Plaas Toe offers self catering accommodation in Hammanskraal in two chalets. The chalets are roughly thirty minutes from Pretoria and virtually o...
Guest House
LightStone Guesthouse
Offering peace and tranquillity in a country atmosphere in the heart of the city, LightStone Guesthouse is only a 2km drive from major roads and ...
Self Catering
Bedford Manor
Bedford Manor offers comfortable accommodation in Centurion, Pretoria and is near a number of things to do including visiting the Luton Valley Bi...
Noteworthy attractions
Golf Courses
Blue Valley Golf Estate
Named for the blue skies and open country of its surroundings, the Gary Player designed Blue Valley is a perfect blend of hospitality, sport and ...
Golf Courses
Centurion Country Club
Centurion Golf Course is an excellent Golfing Estate with a very challenging golf course designed by Peter Matkovich. Two different nines, where ...
Golf Courses
Zwartkop Country Club
The Zwartkop Country Club is situated on what was originally the farm Zwartkop named after the bird found nesting on the farm. It has long been a...
Game Reserves
Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy
The Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy, a 400 hectare game reserve, is situated 1 hour from Johannesburg and 30 minutes from Pretoria. In the heart of...
Nature Reserves
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is one of the world's largest urban nature reserves, 3 800 hectares in extent, situated south of the city but still w...
Lakes / Dams
Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve
The Roodeplaat dam was constructed in 1956 and was initially called the 'Pienaars Rivier Dam'. The Dam supplied the surrounding landowners with i...
Landmarks
Cullinan Diamond Mine
Just twenty minutes� drive from Pretoria brings one to the quaint little town of Cullinan that time appears to have little affected. The Cullinan...
Museums
Tswaing Meteorite Crater Museum
One of only four meteorite crater museums in the world (the others are in the US, Germany and France) the Tswaing Crater and its museum lie rough...
Nature Reserves
Rust De Winter Nature Reserve
The pretty Rust de Winter Nature Reserve lies north east of Hammanskraal and close enough to the N1 and Pretoria to make a weekend of it. Places ...
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