East London: Tourism, shopping and much more!
Founded as a town back in 1836, East London was originally called Port Rex due to it being the only river port in South Africa. The name was eventually changed to London to honour the great capital of the UK, and thus it became known as East London.
Located on the south-east coast of the country, East London (with its oceanic climate) has warm to moderate temperatures typical of the South African coastline. Spring and autumn are when the area experiences the most rainfall, while winters are generally drier.
The economy of East London is mainly boosted by car manufacturing, but that doesn’t mean the city isn’t an enticing location for tourists. In fact, it’s the beaches of East London connected to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean that stand out for locals and travellers. Aiding in the beaches’ reputation are the many amenities and facilities nearby like playgrounds for kids, paddling pools, water tubes, shops and restaurants, and more. And for those keener on culture, the East London Museum awaits. Established in 1921, the museum is home to a rich diversity of specimens of birds, reptiles, mammals, and more. It also proudly possesses a 400-year-old Dodo egg, the last remaining one on earth.
But for anyone who deems store discounts, brand promotions, and shopping bags as more of a good time, East London has many options.
East London: Map for shopping
Hemingways Mall is the answer when the question is where to find fun for the whole family. Situated in Cambridge Village, this mall offers over 200 stores for shoppers’ delight, plus six cinemas with 3D offerings, a 4D simulator, bumper cars, a bowling alley, plus a multitude of arcade games. Sunglass Hut, Telkom, and Friesland Milk Bar are some of the trendy names found at Hemingways Mall.
Located in the heart of the city is Vincent Park, an award-winning shopping centre. As it provides more than 75 shopping hot spots, plus a choice of banks and eateries, Vincent Park can also be an ideal option for a family day out. Retail therapy can be enjoyed at the likes of Dennis Collins Jewellers, Game, Montagu Fruit & Nut, and more.
With its bustling vibe, Gillwell Mall is perfectly at home in East London’s CBD. Shoppers can expect a vivacious blend of mixed-use shopping offerings from food, groceries, and fashion to IT services, banking, and health & beauty. Some of the popular stores located in Gillwell Mall include Choice Clothing, Cell C, and Sportscene.
Shopping doesn’t get more convenient than at Balfour Park Shopping Centre. Located right in Balfour Road, the centre provides a multitude of retail stores and services (like Mambo’s Plastic Warehouse, Cashbuild, Nedbank...) to enhance quick-and-convenient shopping.
For those who prefer plenty of fresh air to go with their shopping, head over to Beacon Bay Retail Park. Located next to the N2 Highway on Bonza Bay Road, this one-level, open-air centre has over 50 stores neatly scattered across more than 27,000 m² of area space for extra convenience. Postnet, Universal Cellular, and Edgars are just some of the well-known brands to be found here.