If you are looking for an escape to find a place that is filled with peace, serenity, nature and rich culture, then Darling is the place to go. Darling is the "Wild Flower" of the Western Cape.

The little town is nestled between hills of vineyards and golden wheat fields. Darling is only an hour's drive from Cape Town (just off the West Coast Road), but when you visit this small village it will be like travelling back in time. Darling is a vibrant place, a harmonious blend of old and new. But Darling is a progressive small town with a good infrastructure and everything necessary to cover your daily needs. The village has its own supermarkets, banks, ATMs, a pharmacy, clinic, doctors, schools and several churches.

History and culture
Darling is situated in the Groenekloof that was first found in 1682 by the pioneer explorer Oloff Bergh, who found the area on a long journey to the north through the thick sands of the West Coast. The town was named after Charles Henry Darling's former Lieutenant Governor of the Cape who found the farm, Langfontein in 1853.

In the beginning of the 18th century there were already 29 farmers on Groenekloof including Langfontein. On 12 February 1853 the farm Langfontein was bought for a village and a church for 50.000 Guilder by the Darling Village trustees' board. Already then travellers were amazed by the splendour of the wild flowers that covered the area during spring.

Activities
Darling is known for its beautiful flowers, especially during September, but if flowers are not your thing there are a ton of other activities to choose from:

- The San-guided Experience
This fascinating insight into the culture, heritage, and knowledge and modern-day life of the San of southern Africa can be explored when accompanying a group of qualified San guides, who will lead you through a truly exceptional experience. During a three-hour tour the San will demonstrate their skills, share their ancient knowledge about oral history, tracking animals, identifying edible and medicinal plants with you.

- Game drives at Buffelsfontein Nature Reserve
At Buffelsfontein you can go on daily game drives for up to 3 hours at a time. Buffelsfontein also offers a shooting range with target shooting and clay pigeon shooting

- Sonquasfontein Private Nature Reserve
Bird-watching and wildlife viewing on a working cattle farm with mountain vistas.

- Duckitt Nurseries
This is the largest orchid nursery in the southern hemisphere, is situated on the farm Oudepost, just outside Darling. From May to November, on the first Saturday of each month, their doors are open to the public from 9h00 until 12h00.

- Art and craft
General shopping hours are 8h30 to 17h00 weekdays and 9h00 to 13h00 Saturdays. Please note that some businesses are closed for lunch between 13h00 and 14h00.

Explore the town on foot. Browse through the antiques and collectables and visit the interesting craft and gift shops. There are also a few art galleries that you can explore. Enjoy a cup of coffee on the "stoep" of a coffee shop or at a farm stall.

Food and wine
Since its inception, the Darling wine route has grown immensely in popularity. It's less than an hour's drive from Cape Town and its warmth and hospitality coupled with wines of tremendous quality and value has placed it on the list of routes to visit when visiting the Cape. Cloof, Groote Post, Darling Cellars, Ormonde and Tukulu offer wine tastings and many also provide scrumptious meals.

Here are a few of the restaurants that you can choose from in the area:
- !Khwa ttu Restaurant
- Bistro Seven
- Café Mosaic
- Evita se perron
This venue combines the restaurant-bar with cabaret. It is from here that Mrs Evita Bezuidenhout, the most famous white woman in South Africa, keeps an eye on the progress of democracy. She is the hostess and entertains in her own inimitable style.
- Indraf tea garden
- The Linen Room