Sunnyside to The View: Echoes of Parktown’s Grace

Come and explore a special corner of old Parktown with its graceful and grand mansions.

Led by the extremely knowledgeable Kathy Munro and Joy Campkin-Smith, this walking tour begins at the historic Sunnyside Park Hotel (secure parking is available) and proceeds along Carse O’Gowrie Road to the Wits Education Campus and back again.

Along the way, we’ll see the Causeway, Roedean School, Hazeldene Hall and the View, where we’ll enjoy tea and scones (included in the ticket price). We’ll also check out some of the interesting smaller homes along Ridge Road, Park Lane and St Andrews Road.

It’s a fascinating walk and talk that covers a diverse range of architecture including a hotel, a school, an office block, a hospital, a theatre, university residences and a regimental headquarters. 

While today’s Parktown may be rather institutional and business-facing, we can still catch echoes of the Old Parktown in the line of a turret, the turn of a gable, a shady veranda, a sash window or even a stained-glass survivor.  

Please wear good walking shoes and bring along a hat, sunscreen and drinking water. You are also invited to arrive early and enjoy lunch at the Sunnyside Park Hotel restaurant before the tour begins (for your own account).