Star of the West

Northern Cape


The vintage beer ads, worn floorboards and wooden tables at this ‘old time’ hostelry, established in 1870, tell of many raucous nights. Sadly, the pub closed in 2017, though at the time of writing it was hoped an investor would soon step in to give the place a much-needed overhaul.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Cape attractions

1. Big Hole

0.17 MILES

Although the R50 million that turned the Big Hole into a world-class tourist destination came from De Beers, touring the world’s largest hand-dug hole…

2. Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum

0.68 MILES

Based in a grand old building in the city centre, this museum focuses on Kimberley's history. There's information on the early settlers and forced…

3. Sol Plaatje Museum & Library

0.85 MILES

This museum, dedicated to activist and writer Sol Plaatje, occupies the house where he lived until his death in 1932. Panels tell the story of his life –…

4. Cecil Rhodes Statue

0.95 MILES

Cecil John Rhodes is immortalised sitting atop his horse, map in hand, gazing northwards to the continent he wanted to colonise.

5. William Humphreys Art Gallery

0.99 MILES

One of the country’s best public galleries, with changing exhibitions of contemporary South African work, as well as a surprisingly good collection of…

6. Honoured Dead Memorial

1.35 MILES

This sandstone memorial remembers the soldiers who died defending the British-held city in the 124-day Siege of Kimberley, which took place during the…

7. Rudd House

1.44 MILES

This townhouse is a fine example of the residences constructed for rich Kimberlites in the 19th century. Named after Rhodes’ business partner, who moved…

8. Dunluce

1.7 MILES

An elaborately decorated Victorian mansion, built in 1897. It forms a part of the McGregor Museum.