King's Blockhouse

The King’s Blockhouse is a squat stone fort on Mowbray Ridge, on the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak above Rhodes Memorial in Cape Town. The British built it after they first took the Cape in 1795, and of the three blockhouses on this slope it is the one that stayed in use. Today it is a hiking destination more than a museum: people come for the walk, the history and the view over Table Bay and False Bay.

What to expect

The building is a solid stone block about 7 m square. It formed part of a line of defences, with the Queen’s Blockhouse and the Prince of Wales Blockhouse lower down, that extended the older Dutch line guarding the land approach to Cape Town. The other two fell into disrepair, but the King’s Blockhouse stayed in use as a signal station passing messages between Table Bay and False Bay. It was declared a national monument on 4 February 1938.

It also marked a boundary between Cape Town and the surrounding districts. The defences on this slope were strengthened again in 1814 with additional redoubts.

Practical details

• Start at the Rhodes Memorial car park and follow the signs for the King’s Blockhouse.
• The Blockhouse is a waypoint on the longer Mowbray Ridge route, so many hikers pass it on the way up Devil’s Peak.
• Hikers continuing to Devil’s Peak carry on up Mowbray Ridge and along Knife’s Edge, which Cape Town Magazine rates as difficult, with steep sections and drop-offs, and 2 to 4 hours long.

Good to know

The slopes are popular with hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers, and walking in a group is the sensible choice on any part of Table Mountain. Only go beyond the Blockhouse towards Devil’s Peak with someone who knows the route, as the ridge above is exposed.

Last updated 6 October 2026. Sources: South African History Online, Cape Town Magazine.