Located in the centre of Johannesburg’s money belt, Craighall Park is a suburb filled with opulent, old school properties and modern gated communities, and at its perimeter, one of the city’s busiest roads lined with businesses ranging from luxury car dealers to popular restaurants.
Craighall Park is bordered in the west by a large green lung that incorporates one of Johannesburg’s largest parks – Delta Park – and the Braamfontein Spruit, a pretty river that meanders through several suburbs.
With a new fibre optic network fitted throughout the area, Craighall Park is a high-speed digitally connected suburb.
Visitors wanting to treat themselves to a comfortable stay in a residential area and be within easy travelling distance of the Sandton and central Johannesburg business districts would do well to select Craighall Park as their destination of choice.
Top 8 reasons to visit Craighall Park
1. Neighbouring 104ha Delta Park is wheelchair friendly with paved paths leading to small dams, a sensory trail, a braille trail, gardens and an environmental centre. The Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary is a part of the park where visitors can view birdlife from strategically placed hides.
2. The prestigious Hyde Park Corner mall offers top brands to discerning shoppers, with a good selection of restaurants in the centre and an 11-theatre cinema complex. The mall’s Cortina Fashion Court stocks exclusive international ranges.
3. Attempt the challenging Wanderers Golf Club 18-hole course at the largest country club in South Africa. The course has a tricky par 4 9th hole. Visitors are welcome during the week, however, the course is closed on Mondays.
4. Join the foodie revolution and visit the Blubird Food Market in Illovo to try out their innovative and interesting products that include raw honey, sourdough breads, local olive oils, fresh pastas and French-style patisseries.
5. Hire a canoe and paddle the tranquil Emmarentia Dam before visiting the Shakespeare and rose gardens in the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens adjoining the dam. The Gardens has an arboretum containing Sequoia and other exotic trees.
6. Investors and art lovers will appreciate the paintings and bronze works on display at the Chérie De Villiers Fine Art Gallery. The Daville Baillie Gallery nearby showcases unusual local art.
7. Get a brief but interesting introduction into the world of TV and radio broadcasting with a tour of the country’s only national broadcaster, the SABC. Watch a live broadcast. The tour duration is between 60 and 90 minutes.
8. Craighall Park has a variety of excellent restaurants and bistros situated in the suburb. Ask your host to recommend venues.
Transport
Craighall Park is 40 minutes away from both the OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria Airport, a domestic airport located north of the suburb. The Gautrain (express rail service) operates between the airport and Marlboro Station, the nearest stop from Craighall Park and only 16km away. Order a car rental from the various agencies at the airport or online. There are a number of metered taxi and shuttle service companies operating in the area or you could register with Uber and order a ride via your mobile phone.
Did you know?
Johannesburg is the City of Gold where this valuable metal was first discovered in 1886 by an English prospector, George Harrison. He sold his claim for a meagre 10 Pounds and otherwise never benefitted from his find. The discovery site is in a park named after him.
Residents of Craighall Park are able to collect fresh vegetables every Wednesday from the REEA Foundation, an organisation that cares for adults with epilepsy. The foundation’s vegetable gardens are planted along the banks of the Braamfontein Spruit and they offer other organic initiatives such as crop swops and a seed saver’s exchange.
