History

The Kwazulu-Natal Midlands has a rich history from the precolonial era, where the fearsome Zulu warriors roamed the rolling green hills, to the 1800’s where the farmers and British soldiers started settling, up to the more contemporary history with the capture of Nelson Mandela of 5 August 1962 in this area.

Fort Nottingham

A group of Scottish Settlers moved from Durban into the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands in the mid-1800s. To protect the local community the Nottingham Regiment (also referred to as the Sherwood Regiment) set up a camp that became known as Fort Nottingham. This led to the renaming of the railway station to Nottingham Road, which remains today a small rural village centred around agricultural and tourism activities. The town has charming shops, pubs, and restaurants for the ideal country escape. Trout-fishing, horse riding, walking trails, and mountain biking are popular recreation activities in the area.

Hawklee Country House

Hawklee Country House, originally an agricultural homestead, was built in the mid-1900s on the banks of the Lions River around 13 km out of Nottingham Road. From its humble beginnings around 30 years ago as one of the first B&Bs in the area (apparently named The Pepper Pots), Hawklee is now a well-established guesthouse and has over the years built up loyal patronage due to its tranquil setting and comfortable rooms. The new owners are committed to building on this legacy and ensuring it remains one of the top establishments in the Midlands.

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