No 7 Castle Hill- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

No 7 Castle Hill in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) is an authentic brick-and-stone settler's cottage completed around 1825–1830, originally home to Rev. Francis McCleland, the city's first Anglican chaplain. Recognized as a National Monument in the 1960s and converted into a museum by 1965, the two-story residence features restored slate roofing, polished yellowwood floors and beams, and a basement kitchen with a deep-built oven—an enduring snapshot of early Victorian-era architecture in the Eastern Cape. Visitors can step back into mid-19th-century middle-class life through period furnishings and unique artifacts: a vintage dollhouse, collections of lacework, and a courtyard well still in use. Interactive elements including a treasure hunt, fairy garden, and original kitchen tools make the experience immersive for families and history enthusiasts alike. Located in the city centre, the museum complements nearby heritage landmarks along the Donkin Heritage Trail, offering cultural travellers a tangible glimpse into the colonial origins of this coastal gateway.