Blue Peter Hotel, Milnerton

The Blue Peter is one of the oldest sites in Bloubergstrand, dating back to the late 19th century when George Henry Stevenson - a Cape Town harbour official - and his wife Fanali ran a small shop where the hotel stands today. It later became a tearoom with the typically South African name of 'Springbok Cafe'. It then changed again, this time into a small boarding house.

The origin of the name dates back to 1949, when it was taken over by Tony Blahovski - a former Polish consul in Cape Town - and his socialite South African wife Freda. The couple transformed the former boarding house into one of the Peninsula's finest wining and dining establishments.

To complement their largely seafood-based menu, Tony and Freda chose a nautical theme. They painted the roof blue and hoisted the Blue Peter flag. The well-known Lord Nelson ship's figurehead – named for the naval hero's famous words, “England expects every man this day to do his duty, ” inscribed on it – was als