Clifton Beach Heritage
Did you know that Clifton was known as Schoenmaker's Gat in 1783?
An old shoemaker lived in the Clifton caves and as the farmers used to pass on their way to sell produce in Cape Town, he would mend their shoes.
In 1890, it was renamed after the lady who ran the only hotel in the area, Bessie Clifton. By 1990 holidaymakers made 'Clifton-on-Sea' their summer vacation destination.
The wind free beaches were even then an ideal venue and as time went on the vacationers created small wooden beach houses.
These sites were leased from the Cape Town City Council over the summer months but were never sold off as freehold. This did not stop the predictable campers returning each year to enjoy what 'Clifton-on-Sea' had to offer.
No permanent residents allowed
By 1923 there were ninety bungalows at 'Clifton-on-Sea', and the Cape Town Council still stipulated that bungalow owners vacate their cottages in the months of June, July and August. This was to prevent permanent residents in the area.
Later this regulation was overruled when the owners created the Clifton Owners Bungalow Association.
Over the years, Clifton-on-Sea slowly evolved into what we see today and it's name changed simply to Clifton. During the 1990's the council decided to sell off the leasehold land and the area finally became freehold with many bungalows undergoing strict renovations.
These are the bungalows that you can choose to make your home or simply for your vacation.
Each has a distinct history and all have been restored to offer a unique lifestyle experience. There are many people who come to Cape Town and never leave. Once you have been to Clifton you will understand why Clifton is genuinely a Lifestyle Destination.
Support the BOA
So that we can keep protecting the unique Character and Heritage of the Bungalow Areas