Belgravia Historic Walk Kimberley

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The Belgravia Historic Walk

Belgravia means “Fine Grove”. Kimberley’s first exclusively residential suburb was probably named after London’s posh district which lies just behind Buckingham Palace. The earliest reference to Belgravia is by MM Steytler, a merchant who came to the diamond fields in 1873 – 74. By 1878 there were twenty-three residences in Belgravia and the Voters’ list for 1883 includes professional men, engineers, advocates, attorneys and a judge.

From the 1880’s most houses were constructed from the deep orange-red, hand pressed bricks known as Kimberley bricks. Corrugated iron roofs and fences were familiar sights. The houses were mostly single-storied with high-pitched roofs and deep verandas on three sides; they were essentially Victorian in character. The degree of affluence of the owner was determined by the amount of decoration – parapets, gables, turrets, vents, pilasters and cast iron or wooden fences. This decoration of the buildings was essential to a community which had lost its status as South Africa’s major industrial centre to the burgeoning rowdy town of Johannesburg. Within their embellished houses Kimberley’s residents could escape the harsh realities of a mining town.

Come and enjoy the peaceful beauty of Belgravia which has escaped the rough changes of development by walking through the main streets on the historic walk. The map and guide are obtainable from the McGregor Museum building, where the walk starts and ends.

Telephone: 053-8420099. Open Monday to Saturday, Sunday afternoon.

Augrabies National Park
Barkly West
Calvinia
Colesberg
Delportshoop
Fraserburg
Kakamas
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Kimberley
Kuruman
Modder River
Namaqualand
Nooitgedacht
Pella
Sutherland
Upington
Victoria West
Williston

Witsand

4x4 Routes

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