Hillhouse Accommodation was featured in Elle Decoration - The Country Issue June/July 2013. Also in House and Leisure - The Travel Issue, 101 Dream escapes in May 2015. Again in Getaway mag 2015 and Midlands life in 2008. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The main cottage, Gobbins' Cottage, is a spacious double storey one bedroom home with a large open plan kitchen leading onto a cosy lounge with underfloor heating for those cold Dargle winters. The kitchen is well equipped with large fridge, oven... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Nestled in the scenic foothills of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountain range, you’ll find Lythwood, a 4-Star country hotel right on the Midlands Meander. If you are looking for a relaxing all inclusive weekend away or a short midweek break, away from the …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The cottages run along side the Lions River with beautiful views and gentle riverside walks. The midlands Meander arts and crafts route offers various local products and produce …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
St Ives Lodge and Venue is situated in the heart of the Lions River Valley in the KZN Midlands. This 140-hectare Family Owned & Managed Estate offers something for everyone. The Estate Boasts A Luxury Lodge with Wild Animals Roaming the Grounds... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
A mere four hours from Johannesburg and two hours from Durban, deep in the heart of the breathtaking Natal Midlands, rests Bellwood.We offer seven comfortable, fully equipped self-catering cottages. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The Legendary Nottingham Road Hotel, or "Notties" as it is affectionately known, is a 3 star graded hotel. As of 18 Mar. 16, we have opened our recently completed "Garden Suites". This long awaited addition to the hotel sees 10 new suites now available... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Burnside Lodge is in a prime location on the Midlands meander, close to many good restaurants, Nottingham Road, Michaelhouse school and Bosch Hoek golf course. It is newly decorated, with great attention to detail. The main house has 3 queen sized ... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Loxley House Offers an exceptional standard of accommodation - all 15 suites are garden-facing, en suite with either with bath/shower or bath and separate shower, with a choice of either twin or king beds …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Exclusive use by guests. Guest Lounge with TV, off street parking with remote controlled access, log cabin type outdoor gazebo with fireplace. Two separate private sleeping wings. Malaria Free Area. English breakfast or alternatives by prior ... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Sugarlands Farm is 6km from the N3 in the heart of the well-known Midlands Meander. A working Sheep and Beef farm where we have two units available to share our piece of paradise with you. Both units are serviced, self-catering units with full DSTV. L …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The hotel comprises seventeen luxurious, individually appointed double suites with private verandas, underfloor heating and dream bathrooms, each with bath and shower, and a dressing area. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Kusane Farm Cottage is perched high above the stunning Karkloof valley, midway between Howick and Curry's Post on the Midlands Meander, with its fine restaurants and shopping. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Clifton stud offers you a single, privately situated cottage on the banks of a picturesque two hectare trout dam. The quaint cottage has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and can accommodate up to six guests …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
King's Hill B & B is situated in the picturesque village of Hilton, the gateway to the Natal Midlands & has beautiful views of the Cedara Valley. We can accommodate a maximum of 6 people sharing in 2 tastefully decorated, non-smoking rooms... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
A 15 minute drive from Howick, and just north of the Midmar Dam, Dargle is a minute hamlet set in the enchanting landscape of the Natal Midlands. Dargle is centrally situated on the Midlands Meander and contributes its share of craft outlets and establishments offering cosy country hospitality to this well patronised art and craft route. During cold winter spells, Dargle is a favourite destination for snow hunters coming from the warmer climes of Durban, just over an hours drive away.
The countryside surrounding Dargle was sparsely populated prior to the mid 1800s due to its incorporation in a Zulu Royal Hunting Preserve. Game was plentiful and elephants roamed the hills and valleys freely. Attracted by its lush vegetation and abundant water supplies, the area was soon settled by dairy farmers and in 1882 the picturesque St Andrews Church was built in Dargle. In 1889 trout were introduced into the region's rivers where they thrived and today, Dargle and the surrounding villages have become a popular destination for fly fishermen.
Guests visit to Dargle
We recently took our visiting German friends on a weekend trip through KwaZulu Natal's Midlands Meander. Our family has often taken this 80km Midlands Meander.......... stretching from just north of Pietermaritzburg through towns such as Howick, Lions River, Dargle, Karkloof, Curry's Post, Rosetta and so on, and we thought we knew the Midlands Meander well, but every time we discover exciting new places to explore, and this time was no exception.
The Midlands Meander brochure, informed us that there are over 160 places to eat, drink, shop and sleep, with a variety of Midlands Meander accommodation along the route for every preference - from old hotels, bed & breakfasts, self catering cottages, self catering chalets, guest farms and bush lodges.
By noon we'd experienced the world of The Midlands Meander........crafts - weavers, potters, woodcrafters and leather workers, and we'd sampled some interesting cheeses and locally brewed beer, just before pulling in to Balgowan for lunch. The Bierfassl Restaurant and Pub was an excellent choice, as they dabble in German cuisine, which suited us perfectly.
We continued on to Nottingham Road (to The Stables Wine Estate) for their April annual grape crushing festival, which was an afternoon of never to be forgotten foot stomping fun!
Saturday night we took a short detour off Nottingham Road and booked into Hawklee Country House accommodation - a charming Midlands Meander Bed and Breakfast situated on the banks of the Lions River. We must thank Dean and Belinda of Hawklee House for a wonderful evening of cosy old world charm and comfort, which included a spa bath in our guest suite, and luxurious goose down duvets.
After a rather late breakfast we continued on the Midlands Meander, (which by the way means 'to wander at random'), and took our time driving through Rosetta to Mooi River (which is the semi-official Midlands Meander end point), stopping along the way to browse and sample the many delights on offer - from lavender farms and wrought iron works to more thirst quenching breweries. On the 'down run' we spent a lot of time in one place of particular interest - a herbal centre where the girls splurged on boxes of essential oils.
Although we'd planned on arriving home in Durban late Sunday afternoon, we decided to stop at the Everglades Hotel in Dargle, as it's only just over an hour's drive from Durban. This Midlands Meander holiday resort, situated at the foot of the Inhlosane Mountain is a true 'country' hotel, and after a few jovial hours in the "Wattle & Daub" pub, we settled for one night's accommodation in Dargle, and enjoyed a leisurely dinner followed by a few games of snooker.
As it turns out, Dargle, just a 15 minute drive from Howick, is a charming Midlands Meander town nestled in a beautiful valley of mostly dairy farmers. This little 'hamlet' is well worth a second look, especially for a bit of Fly fishing for trout in the well stocked dams and rivers.
Perhaps next time we'll choose Dargle self catering accommodation, or even a Dargle guest farm for our stay. And once again, our thanks goes to wheretostay.co.za for their unbelievable variety of Midlands Meander accommodation options.
All in all, the KwaZulu Natal Midlands is a world all on its own,
Brenda and Marco