The Bedrooms at the River Road Guest House are all named after prominent landmarks in the City of Port Elizabeth.

The Donkin Room is named after the Donkin Reserve which is essentially a small open public space, proclaimed by the founder of the city, Sir Rufane Donkin.

One of the features of the Donkin Reserve is the touching memorial to Sir Donkin’s wife. This pyramid shaped structure bears a plaque with the inscription: “To the memory of one of the most perfect of human beings who has given her name to the Town below.”

The Donkin - South African Flag	Port Elizabeth Donkin Memorial	Port Elizabeth Historic Donkin Houses

The Donkin Reserve in Port Elizabeth has one of the most accessible lighthouses in South Africa. The doors of the lighthouse is open daily from where visitors to the Donkin Reserve can climb to the top for a magnificent view of the Port Elizabeth harbour, the inner city as well as the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The Donkin Reserve is a heritage monument that is steeped in the colonial history of our Metro. As such the redevelopment of this public open space into one which celebrates the Father of the Nation and the freedom struggle is very symbolic of how we as a people and country have progressed since independence.

The “River Memory” on Route 67 is a component of 67 works of art created in honour of Nelson Mandela’s 67 years in public service.

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The Baakens Room is named after the Baaakens Valley. The Baakens Valley runs alongside the Baakens River, which is about 23 km long and has its source in the Hunters Retreat area, entering the sea through the harbour.

The GUINEA-FOWL TRAIL which follows the Baakens Valley begins at Hawthorne Avenue, Sunridge Park, the 7,5km Lower Trail starts at the Third Avenue Dip in Newton Park, leading down river to Settlers Park and Brickmakers Kloof. The river is crossed on numerous occasions by steppingstones and these may become hazardous or impassable after rain.

Port Elizabeth Settlers Park	Baakens Valley at Target Kloof	Lower Baakens Valley at Target Kloof

The river also passes through the 54-hectare tranquil Settler's Park, which is located in the heart of the City. The park has three entrances and may be accessed via How Avenue, just off Park Drive; Chelmsford Avenue, just off Target Kloof or from Third Avenue, Walmer.

It also offers recommended short walks that may commence from any of these entrances. The Park facilities include a flower display house, a Marquette of the 1820 Settlers' Statue, indigenous flora, rock pools with stepping-stones and grassed areas ideal for picnicking. The Park is rich in bird life, small buck and other fauna.

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The Campanile Room is named after the Campanile that commemorates the landing of the 1820 British Settlers.

The Campanile, although not of direct military interest, is a most conspicuous landmark and stands at the entrance to the docks adjacent to the Railway Station which is also the end point of the main tourist bus services.

The Campanile was erected in 1923 and commemorates the landing of the 1820 British Settlers who played a major role in the various frontier wars which affected their lives intermittently for decades to follow.

The Campanile is 518 metres high and has a 204 step spiral stairway, the top of which provides excellent views of the city and harbour.

The tower has a Carillon of 23 bells, 10 of which peal three times a day.

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The St Croix Room is named after the St Croix Island.

The St Croix Island Marine Reserve is a penguin sanctuary located near the mouth of the Coega River in Algoa Bay, approximately 22 km north-east of Port Elizabeth.

The marine reserve consists of three islands, St Croix, Jahleel, and Brenton.

Boats are not permitted to land on the islands, but various charter boat cruises offer trips to the islands to watch the antics of the penguins.

Sizeable numbers of Cape Cormorants and Whitebreasted Cormorants, African Black Oystercatchers and Rock Pigeons breed on the Islands of the Cross.

A few Grey Herons and Black-headed Herons build their nests on the top sections of Jahleel and St Croix.

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