Kensington Jacaranda Walk - A lavender dream

Kensington is famous for its historic, tree-lined avenues. Above the asphalt stretches its crowning glory: a sweeping canopy of jacaranda trees. Every October and November, this picturesque suburb transforms. The streets erupt in purple as the full-bloom jacarandas unfurl, draping every road in a lavender haze and carpeting the pavements in soft, violet petals. It is a spring spectacle that has to be seen to be believed.

But this magic didn’t happen by accident. In the late 1890s, visionary tree entrepreneur William Nelson set out to plant a dream. Around 1896, over just six months, he lined the streets of Kensington with an astonishing 106 kilometres of trees, one of the earliest large-scale street tree projects in South Africa. More than a century later, we still walk in the shade of his vision.

As we journey through Kensington’s living history, we will also meet some of the people who shaped this community, and those who were shaped by it. Wander its charming, leafy lanes and uncover hidden treasures tucked away along the route, from forgotten stories to unexpected corners you’d never find on your own.

Join JHF guide Antoinette Morgan and local Kensington Heritage specialist Isabella Pingle as they take you for a walk along the streets of Kensington, sharing stories of what makes Kensington special.

This is a long walk of approx. 3.5kms, hence the early start. There are some sections with inclines. Good walking shoes, water and a hat are highly recommended.

We will meet at the Kensington Bowling Club (not Rhodes Park Bowling Club) where there is safe parking. After the walk, enjoy the club’s restaurant facilities for a well-deserved lunch (for your own account).