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Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

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Entrance. Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town © Rhodes Cottage Museum

Tea garden area. Modelled on an English country garden. Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town © Rhodes Cottage Museum

Deathbed. Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town © Rhodes Cottage Museum

Boardroom table from the old De Beers head office in Kimberley. Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town © Rhodes Cottage Museum

Flowers in full bloom. Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town © Rhodes Cottage Museum

Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Rhodes Cottage Museum in Muizenberg is a quietly captivating heritage site tucked along Cape Town’s False Bay coastline, set within the modest seaside cottage where Cecil John Rhodes, the British colonialist, politician and mining magnate, spent the final months of his life. Rhodes, a towering yet controversial figure in South African and wider African history, chose this peaceful coastal retreat for its sea breezes and relative tranquillity, and it was here that he died on 26 March 1902 at the age of 49. Today the cottage has been preserved as a museum that offers an intimate glimpse into his last days, as well as a window into the era of early Cape political and industrial life.

Stepping inside the museum feels like stepping back in time. Original period furniture, personal memorabilia, photographs and fascinating displays, including a detailed diorama of Rhodes’s burial site in Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe (formally Rhodesia), are exhibited across the cottage’s rooms, from the lounge to the bedroom where he passed away. The surrounding garden and coach house add further context to the setting, while the gentle sound of waves outside reinforces the seaside charm of this historic location. For history enthusiasts, the museum also hosts a growing Cape History Library covering topics from early local life to regional conflicts and colonial expansion.

Although intimate in scale, the museum is run by dedicated volunteers and exudes a warm, community-centred atmosphere. It’s an ideal half-day outing for travellers exploring Muizenberg’s surf beaches, heritage architecture and colourful main road cafés, offering substance and story alongside the suburb’s laid-back seaside vibe. Be aware that the museum’s tea room and some seasonal programmes may vary, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re planning a longer stop or afternoon tea.

Whether you’re drawn by historical curiosity or simply seeking a reflective stop with interesting stories to tell, Rhodes Cottage Museum offers a compelling and beautifully preserved piece of South African heritage.

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Cecil John Rhodes (1853–1902) was a British businessman, mining magnate and politician who played a prominent role in the economic and political development of southern Africa during the late nineteenth century. He was instrumental in consolidating the diamond mining industry through the establishment of De Beers Consolidated Mines in 1888, creating what became one of the world’s most influential diamond companies. His entrepreneurial vision and organisational ability significantly shaped the region’s mining economy.

Rhodes also served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896. During his tenure, he promoted railway expansion and infrastructural development aimed at strengthening trade and territorial integration. He was a strong advocate of British imperial interests in Africa and was closely associated with the expansion of British influence northwards, a process that ultimately led to the establishment of territories that later bore his name, most notably Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia).

One of his most enduring legacies is the establishment of the Rhodes Scholarship in 1902, funded through his estate. Awarded to outstanding students from around the world to study at the University of Oxford, the scholarship has supported generations of leaders in public service, academia and industry. Despite the complexity and controversy surrounding aspects of his political career, Rhodes’s impact on education and the economic development of the region remains historically significant.

Contact details and Visitor Information for the Rhodes Cottage Museum:
Address: 246 Main Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Telephone: +27 (0)21 788 1816
Mobile contact for volunteers (if needed): +27 (0)82 908 3456
Email: see website
Website: https://rhodescottage.co.za/

Opening Times:
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00–14:00 (closed Sundays and typically closed Mondays)
Hours can vary seasonally and when volunteer staff are unavailable, so calling ahead is recommended.

Disclaimer: Video displayed is for entertainment purpose. We are not responsible for errors or misleading information, nor do we endorse the content or opinions expressed.

Accommodation Near Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Showing 1 to 10 of 10 results

Sleeps 92 in 30 units

Chartfield Guesthouse & Majestic Apartments

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Cape Town

1.9km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Escape to Kalk Bay, a charming seaside village of salty breezes, cobbled streets, and timeless tranquillity. Savour the moment with elegant hospitality at Chartfield Guesthouse or enjoy stylish independence at The Majestic Apartments. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Guest Rating: 10

Sleeps 6 in 1 unit

^FromR 650

Per unit, per night

* Rates may vary according to season

Upstairs @ No. 42

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Fish Hoek

4.2km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

UPSTAIRS @ No. 42 is a real home from home with beautiful mountain views and conveniently appointed for a relaxing break. Drive into secure parking right at the entrance. Up the stairs you will find a lounge-dining-kitchen area - fully equipped with TV & …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 6 in 1 unit

^FromR 2500

Per unit, per night

* Rates may vary according to season

The Crags

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Fish Hoek

4.3km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Come and stay in one of the original farm buildings in Fish Hoek, Cape Town within a stone's throw of the beach. This self catering apartment (sleeps 6) provides spacious, well-appointed, up-market accommodation with magnificent views across False Bay. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 12 in 6 units

A Tuscan Villa Guest House

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Fish Hoek

4.4km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Bed and breakfast accommodation in Fish Hoek, Cape Town. The villa boasts 4 spacious en-suite rooms named according to the direction they face. While each room has its own special attributes all rooms have Posturepedic beds, 100% percale cotton linen... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 10 in 3 units

A Place In Thyme

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Fish Hoek

5.5km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Situated on the mountainside in Fish Hoek, A Place in Thyme offers accommodation in three separate units: the cottage (sleeps 5); Small Thyme (sleeps 2) and Big Thyme (sleeps 2 adults & 2 children; or 3 adults.) …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 14 in 6 units

Moonglow Guest House

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town

6km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Moonglow Guest House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Glencairn, on the slopes of the Simon's Town Mountains overlooking False Bay.There are 6 well appointed ensuite bedrooms all with seaviews. 4 rooms have queen beds and all rooms have... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 8 in 3 units

Ascot Gardens

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Bergvliet

7km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Ascot Gardens provides an array of self catering accommodation in Bergvliet, Cape Town. Bergvliet is a quiet, safe leafy suburb in the Constantia Valley, only 16 kms from Cape Town Centre and the V&A Waterfront, and perfectly positioned in the centre... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Graded:

Sleeps 15 in 5 units

Paradiso Guesthouse

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Constantia, Cape Town

7.6km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Paradiso Guesthouse provides both bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation in Constantia, Cape Town. Set in a tranquil treed garden with panoramic views of the distant Constantiaberg Mountains, Constantia valley and its wine farms... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 6 in 1 unit

Bay Splendour

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Simon's Town

7.9km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Bay Splendour, nestles in a quiet cul-de-sac only ten minutes walk from the old world charm of Simon's Town, South Africa's premier naval station. A coastal gem of peace and tranquillity, Bay Splendour has a spacious open-plan lounge and kitchen... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 4 in 2 units

African Violet

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Cape Town

8.1km from Rhodes Cottage Museum - Muizenberg, Cape Town

Self Catering Villas with uninterrupted views overlooking Noordhoek Valley to the Atlantic Ocean, offer privacy and comfort in a contemporary African setting. Bask in the African sun at the pool. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

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