The gently contoured Midlands has a wonderful climate. The heat is dry in summer and evenings often have mists to moisten and cool. Summer is the rainy season making everything lush green and as this is a dairy and cheese making area, there are lots of scenes with cows. When there is a storm it can be hail laden, giving a white and wintry landscape before the sun melts all to colour again. Winters require a cosy night fire but mostly, days are sunny and warm. Autumn is a blaze of colour from pale yellows to rich ochre reds. Spring has its own charm as greens of every shade appear and wild flowers sprinkle fallow fields. Away from and high above city and industry, the air is clean and fresh. It is a good place to take time out to re-charge your batteries… to hike, bike, ride, stroll and relax.
The Midlands covers a vast area but here we focus on the area bordered by Town Hill, above Pietermaritzburg in the east, Midmar Dam, the Lowlands leading to the Southern Drakensberg in the west and Karkloof. We cover the Drakensberg and Battlefields elsewhere.
The area has long attracted artists and crafters, so there is a rich cultural stream as well as great outdoor activities. We have delicious craft food options, a lovely indoor Saturday market and a wine estate of growing reputation. Some shopping treats include antiques and bygones.
There are many more accommodation and eating out options in the Midlands than we recommend as we hand pick just highly recommended places for you to stay as well as to eat out. Every recommendation here joins by invitation only. You may wish to choose accommodation close to your chosen route or on a different Midlands Route … none are too far to travel to, just allow time as these are often country roads.
Choose from 4 routes through this lovely area or mix it up:
Saunter Route 1 covers Hilton and Town Hill. (View Map & details)
The Studio Pottery- Garth Hoets
Ground Coffee House
Arousha Woodcraft Design Studio
Cherylin Creations
Rotunda Farm Stall
Romesco Olives
Garlingtons Bistro
World View site
Cedara Forest for MTB
The Victoria Country Club golf course.
Victoria Country Club Wedding Venue
Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine. Open on selected days.
Closest Accommodation:
Howick Bush Lodge**** B& B plus self catering. Dinner by arrangement.
Lexden Guest House**** B & B. Although actually in Athlone, Pietermaritzburg, it is easy to reach from Hilton.
Saunter Route 2 covers Howick & Karkloof. (View Map & details)
Peel’s Honey
Sax Bags
Vincent Reid Artist Studio
Where Crows Nest- Picnic
Howick Falls
Karkloof Farmers Market
La Petite France
Karkloof Conservancy
Karkloof Canopy Tour
Midmar Dam
Benvie Garden
Closest Accommodation:
Little Field’s Country Cottages****: B & B plus self catering
Cedarwood House: self catering house
Dunning Country House. B & B & self catering.
Saunter Route 3. Lion’s River & Dargle. (View Map & details)
Lion’s River Trading Post. Plus a few local artists and crafters.
Gourmet Greek
Abingdon Wine
Mandela Capture Site
Denise Beuke Artist Studio
Ardmore Ceramics and Design
The Goodwin Foundry
Lidgetton Crafters Guild
The Platform Gallery
Nguni Guy
Sarah Pryke: Fragments of Africa Gallery. At Piggly Wiggly
Zulu Lulu Art House. At Piggly Wiggly
Trout Fishing in Tillietudlum Nature Reserve
Dargle Valley Pottery
Tillietudlum Nature Reserve
Lions River Rafting
Closest Accommodation:
Beverley Country Cottages**** B & B and self catering
Tillietudlum Nature Reserve: 2 self catering houses
Pleasant Places**** B & B.
Africamps -Gowan Valley self catering
Saunter Route 4. Nottingham Road & Curry’s Post. (View Map & details)
Shuttleworth Weaving
Sarah Richards Artist Studio
Lori Schappe-Yoens Artist Studio
Chocolate Haven
Swissland Cheese. Temporarily Closed. Bear with us!
Milestone Forest
La Lampara
Groundcover Crafter Studio
Fable Restaurant and Taproom.
Manor House Restaurant*****
Delamare and Lamberth Gallery
Closest Accommodation:
Willow & Lilly. B & B. Dinner by arrangement
Fordoun Hotel and Spa***** Luxury hotel within the route.
Hartford House and Spa*****Luxury country house hotel near Mooi River
Loxley House Luxury Guest House****
Thatchings B&B****
Towards the Drakensberg:
Antbear Eco Lodge**** Small lodge with all meals. In the Drakensberg Lowlands, fairly close to Nottingham Road
Leopards Lair Lodge B & B***. In the Drakensberg Lowlands, fairly close to Nottingham Road
The routes above are within a fairly small area. Beyond these, the Midlands is a large area.
To explore the Midlands Battlefields, see Midlands Battlefields.
To explore the Midlands Game Reserve, see Midlands Game Reserves & Lodges.
