Gracious, stately homes hidden behind leafy gardens and set along tree canopy-covered avenues, share space with modern cluster living where the cost of a luxury penthouse could be compared to a relative mansion elsewhere, in the exclusive Johannesburg suburb of Houghton. Here, entertaining is done on a grand scale and no expense is spared in enjoying life’s luxuries.
The Houghton Ridge area has magnificent views of Johannesburg’s northern suburbs stretching all the way to the Magaliesberg Mountains and a section of the suburb was declared a national heritage site. Several colonial mansions of great historic value were constructed at the turn of the 20th century and Houghton has Johannesburg’s only remaining art deco building in the magnificent Cullinan House (a private residence).
Houghton is an obvious choice for discerning guests seeking ultimate luxury on a visit to the Gauteng Province capital.
Top 6 reasons to visit Houghton
1. The prestigious Houghton Golf Club is an 18-hole parkland course designed by Jack Nicklaus and has in the past held the Alfred Dunhill Cup. Ask your host to arrange a guest membership or join a Sunday afternoon golf group.
2. With 88 stores, 5 movie theatres, 14 eateries and a medical centre, Killarney Mall provides for retail, health, dining and entertainment under one roof. The mall has 1500 parking bays, CCTV-monitored 24/7.
3. The Wilds is a public park with indigenous fauna on display. Walkways meander past trees and flowering shrubs, all labelled, to reach picnic spots alongside a stream. The park extends over a main road via pedestrian bridge and up onto the ridge for spectacular views. Note: The Wilds is fairly remote, walk in a group.
4. Billed as a museum of medicine preserving the history of health sciences in Southern Africa, the Adler Museum at the Wits University has an amazing collection of medical equipment that includes an 18th century ship surgeon’s kit. The museum houses realistic displays of an African herbalist’s shop and a 19th century apothecary.
5. An interesting armchair experience is a visit to the Planetarium in Braamfontein. Learn about our solar system as seen from the southern hemisphere. One hour stellar shows are presented by resident astronomers.
6. Spend the day at the malaria-free 12000ha Mabalingwe game farm, a 2-hour drive from Houghton. The park offers game drives to view the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo), hippo, various antelope and other small mammals. Restaurant, bar and bush pub on the farm.
Transport
Houghton is 21km from OR Tambo International Airport. National flights arrive and depart from Lanseria Airport, a 40 minute drive north of Houghton. The Gautrain (express rail service to OR Tambo airport) has a stop in Rosebank, 4km from Houghton. Several car rental companies operate at the airport and in the main centres, however, a rental can be booked online. There are a number of metered taxis and shuttle service companies operating in nearby Rosebank or you could register with Uber and order a ride via your mobile phone.
Did you know?
Nelson Mandela died in December 2013 at his home in Lower Houghton.
Three of South Africa’s preeminent schools, the private St John’s College and Roedean Girls School and King Edward VII public school, are located in Houghton. These schools have produced an inordinate amount of renowned business and sportspersons, politicians, artists and novelists.
During the bonanza years, the Houghton Estate Goldmining Company was formed by a few Natal businessmen with the intention of mining the Houghton area. Shafts were dug below Houghton Ridge. Fortunately gold was not discovered, the shafts were filled and the area was left to become a residential township.
