Richmond Hill and Central Port Elizabeth
Richmond Hill is one of the oldest and most historical suburbs in Port Elizabeth, combining a blend of pretty Victorian and Old Edwardian architecture where to a degree, time has stood still and unique hints of yesteryear mingle with contemporary living.
Newington Street itself forms part of a Heritage Walk and an amble down its tree lined streets will reveal many old and beautiful buildings. For those more energetic, the full Richmond Hill Trail begins at the Westbourne Oval that was once a dam but now acts as an athletics ground, before meandering past many architectural wonders such as the stunning St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church and 22 Landsdown Place, a beautifully restored building originally constructed in 1899 as a meeting place for Freemasons.
Richmond Hill forms part of central Port Elizabeth and is awash with British colonial history and monuments such as the Horse Memorial, the only horse memorial in South Africa; Fort Frederick, built in 1799 by early British settlers to protect the Port Elizabeth Bay; and the Donkin Reserve, part of the Donkin Heritage Trail that weaves a tale of love and loss as it tells the story of Rufane Donkin who named the city in honour of his beloved wife. Elizabeth Donkin died giving birth to their only son and the monument at the Donkin Reserve was erected in her honour before Rufane took his own life 20 years later on the anniversary of her death. The trail takes you through 47 places of historical interest and marvellous examples of mid-19th century buildings including the City Hall and Main Library.
Other popular historic and cultural attractions in the city include the Red Location Museum, tracing the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa; The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, showcasing a wonderful collection of international and South African art; the Prince Alfred Guard Memorial, a National Monument featuring a Victorian Drill Hall, climbing the 204 steps of the Campanile Memorial that looks out over the harbour; No 7 Castle Hill, one of the oldest surviving Settler Cottages in the city; and Route 67, a collection of 67 art pieces celebrating the public life of Nelson Mandela.