Visit Company’s Garden: A Living Legacy in the Heart of Cape Town

Visit Cape Town and discover one of the city’s most historic and peaceful spaces: the Company’s Garden. Located in the heart of the city centre, this treasured green space has been part of Cape Town’s story since the 1650s, offering visitors a place where history, biodiversity, and everyday city life intersect.

Today, the Garden represents the remaining portion of the original garden planted by the Dutch East India Company. Long before colonial settlement, the area was frequented by First Nations pastoralist communities, particularly the Khoi, who moved seasonally between the West Coast and the Cape Peninsula for generations. Over time, colonial expansion displaced these communities, yet the Garden remains an important reminder of the layered histories that shaped Cape Town.

From Vegetable Patch to Historic City Garden

The origins of the Company’s Garden date back to April 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck and his gardener, Hendrick Boom, began cultivating the land shortly after the arrival of the first Dutch East India Company officials.

Early farming attempts proved challenging. Cape Town’s climate differed greatly from that of Europe, and strong winds damaged many early crops. Gradually, however, the garden became a reliable source of fresh produce for ships travelling along the trade route between Europe and Asia.

One of the Garden’s most remarkable living relics still stands today — a pear tree planted in 1652, which continues to bear fruit nearly four centuries later.

Honouring Untold Stories

Beyond its horticultural heritage, the Company’s Garden also commemorates important moments in history. In 2025, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission unveiled a memorial to the Labour Corps, honouring more than 1 700 men who lost their lives while serving in non-combat roles during wartime.

Because of discriminatory policies at the time, these men were prohibited from carrying arms. Instead, they transported supplies, food, and equipment to the front lines — often under dangerous conditions. Their names are now memorialised on upright poles forming part of the memorial, ensuring that their contribution will not be forgotten.

A Space for All Seasons and All People

Today, the Company’s Garden remains one of the most popular green spaces for locals and visitors alike. The gardens are often used for picnics, exhibitions, children’s parties, markets, educational programmes, and wedding photography.

The precinct is also surrounded by many of Cape Town’s historic institutions, including museums, art galleries, and cultural landmarks. Security cameras and regular patrols help ensure the Garden remains a safe and welcoming environment.

Plan Your Visit to Company’s Garden

Location: Top of Adderley Street, Cape Town CBD
Hours: Open daily (closed at night)
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Self-guided walk: Approximately 60–180 minutes

Visitors can download the official Company’s Garden Self-Guided Walk booklet to explore the precinct and learn more about its historic landmarks.

Whether you come to explore Cape Town’s history, enjoy its biodiversity, or simply take a quiet walk beneath centuries-old trees, the Company’s Garden offers a unique connection to the city and the stories that continue to shape it.

Learn more about places to visit in Cape Town and discover the city’s many cultural and historical treasures.

This article has been adapted from the original piece published in This is Cape Town Magazine, Volume 5, specifically for the blog. Read the full magazine online at www.thisis.capetown/resources.