Designing a Well-Lived Life

Discover estates built for family, community, and legacy. Windspur Estate Crafting a Vibrant Future in the Midlands Situated on an elevated site, and only 1km from the KZN Midlands hub of Nottingham Road Village, Windspur Estate is a 14-hectare retreat that blends sustainable living with a warm sense of community. With only 34 freehold plots, this development offers a fresh take on countryside charm, inviting residents to embrace a lifestyle that’s both modern and rooted...

A Mountaineering Getaway

Safety while staying in the mountains is essential, so before you head out for a berg adventure, here are a few tips and recommendations of places to stay.  Living in the Midlands has many perks, one in particular is the majestic Drakensberg Mountain range, which is just a stone’s throw away for a quick getaway. The berg offers ample places to explore and to stay, whether indoors or outdoors. You’ll never run out of things...

Unparalleled – Thonga Beach

One word: SPECTACULAR! This unique destination is more than worth the drive to get there. The journey to Thonga isn’t easy as the last 1.5 hours drive is on a sandy, bumpy road at a slow speed. The hotel is the only lodging for miles and miles in a protected area. The location is truly unique, with only 12 thatched rooms for guests, so the privacy is unparalleled. (At arrival, we changed our booking from...

The Manley Family – Hospitality and Heart at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

Originally from Johannesburg, the Manley family moved to Winterskloof, Hilton, at the end of 2001, when Mark Manley started work in Pietermaritzburg. Mark and his wife Lindy fell in love with The Knoll when they were scouting properties in the area and bought it. At that time, it had stood in a state of disrepair and dereliction for many years.  “There were sawmills on the front verandah and down in the stone barn, and there...

The Source of Life

Only a short distance from The Midlands, discover the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve; a commitment to community development and socio-economic upliftment with fabulous places to stay, relax, and enjoy nature right on your doorstep. In 2018, a few neighbours in the Putterill Valley came up with a dream of combining their properties into a joint nature reserve. That dream evolved from an idea to a plan, and finally, as of the 18th of April 2024,...

Much to do about Love

This year, we want to show some love by showing you a few local spots where you can indulge in Valentine’s celebrations. This holiday can be somewhat one-sided and only focus on love between romantic couples, but love comes in all forms, so we also made sure to include options for those who might be flying solo right now and would want to gift themselves or those who would love to celebrate the love between...

Space to Breathe: Windspur Estate, Nottingham Road

Nestled within the heart of Nottingham Road, Windspur Estate offers an exceptional balance between the tranquillity of country living and the convenience of an established village. This unique estate, spread across 14 hectares of open natural landscapes, is designed to create an environment where residents can truly enjoy “space to breathe.” With only 34 freehold plots, the development is intentionally low-density, ensuring that privacy and a sense of harmony remain at the core of the...

A Country Hotel for Pets

Dargle Dale Kennels and Cattery, founded in 1969 by Derek and Irene Higgs, celebrates its 55th year as one of the Midlands’ foremost pet-caring facilities. Conveniently located near Hilton and Cedara, around one kilometre from the N3, they are easily accessible and offer a tranquil and spacious environment on a small holding. Irene always cared for and groomed their dogs, including other people’s dogs, and kept a rigorous daily schedule that involved keeping the kennels...

Saddle Up & Wind Down

We spent a weekend in the mountains, snuggling by a fire under the stars, and waking up to a true country living at Khotso Lodge & Horse Trails. As the year speeds to a close, faster than we care to admit, it’s worth taking a moment to escape and reflect on the months that have passed. A weekend getaway to the great outdoors offers the perfect opportunity, and I was fortunate enough to do just...

Exploring Inland – A Traveller’s Guide to uMnambithi(Ladysmith)

uMnambithi (Ladysmith) is just under a two-hour drive from Howick and offers a historical getaway. It was initially named the Republic of Klip River, then Windsor, then Ladysmith – named after Sir Harry Smith’s Spanish wife in 1850. Known for being instrumental during The South African War, uMnambithi is a go-to if you want to get a feel for our South African past. A perfect place for an overnight stay or a longer adventure, here...