Discover the History
of Clanwilliam
Housed in the Old Gaol, this local gem reveals stories of the San, early settlers, and the roots of Rooibos in a charming heritage town.
Address
Main Road, Clanwilliam, 8135
Pricing
R50 Per Adult
R10 Per Child/Teenager
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday
08:30 – 12:00
12:45 – 16:30
Satuday:
08:30 – 13:00
Sunday/Public Holidays
Closed
Welcome to the Clanwilliam Museum
Step into one of South Africa’s oldest towns and uncover centuries of fascinating history. The Clanwilliam Museum is located in a restored 1808 jail and features exhibits on the San people, early Irish settlers, Rooibos tea farming, veldskoene shoemaking, and more.
Come discover what makes Clanwilliam and the greater Cederberg region so unique.
What You will Discover
A Museum in a Historic 1808 Jailhouse
The Clanwilliam Museum is housed in the town’s old jail, built in 1808. Thick stone walls and original features give it an authentic, historical atmosphere. Each room tells a different story from the area’s past.
The Origins of Rooibos Tea
Clanwilliam is where Rooibos tea began. Learn how this unique plant was first used by the San, and how local farmers turned it into a global industry. A story rooted in nature and tradition.
Voortrekker Wagons & Anglo-Boer War History
See original wagons and tools used by early settlers. Exhibits explore local life during the Anglo-Boer War and the challenges faced by Clanwilliam’s pioneers.
Handmade Veldskoene & Rural Farming Tools
Discover the tools that shaped rural life — from farming equipment to the original machines used to make veldskoene. Clanwilliam is still home to South Africa’s oldest shoe factory.
Famous Locals: Poet Leipoldt & Comedian Tolla
Celebrate two of Clanwilliam’s best-known figures — poet C. Louis Leipoldt and comedian Tolla van der Merwe. Their stories are woven into the town’s cultural heritage.
our Exhibitions
Clanwilliam and the Old Gaol
TAKE A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME
The Clanwilliam Ou Tronk Museum, in the town’s historic old gaol, showcases the rich heritage of one of South Africa’s oldest towns. Explore artefacts, photographs, and exhibits on early settlers, local industries like Rooibos tea and velskoen shoes, Cederberg rock art, and notable figures such as Dr C. Louis Leipoldt. The museum also features a recreated prison cell, 19th-century household items, and outdoor displays of wagons, farm tools, and a cedarwood horse-mill, offering a vivid glimpse into the town’s past.
Visitor info
Admission Prices
Adults
Children/Teenagers
Groups (Max 10)
R50.00 Per Person
R10.00 Per Person
Contact Us for Group Prices
083 328 4575/076 377 9411
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday
Saturday
Sunday/Public Holidays
08:30 – 12:00
12:45 – 16:30
08:30 – 13:00
Closed
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have a question, want to book a visit, or simply want to learn more about the museum, feel free to reach out.