Whether you choose a more
active holiday, trout fishing, or walking; or prefer the tranquility of
wide verandahs overlooking the garden and dam, Glenroy is
perfect for your needs.
Just outside of Estcourt, Glenroy is conveniently situated to explore the Central Drakensberg and Midlands
Meander and Battlefields sites. We are also a 5 minute drive from Wagendrift
Dam. Riding facilities
are available.
The Guest House is set in one
of the show gardens of the Natal Witness Garden Show. It has also featured regularly in Garden and Home.
Its tranquil grounds overlook Wagendrift Dam, with easily accessible walks through the neighbouring Moor Park Nature Reserve. A birder's dream where the 225 types of birdlife which have been identified in the Glenroy gardens can easily be expanded on.
The general ethos of the Glenroy Experience is that sustainability and awareness are so important in our modern world. A permaculture vegetable garden supplies most of the fresh produce for delicious home-cooked vegetarian meals. Free range indigenous chickens wander around the grounds and provide eggs for the kitchen. Other fresh produce is supplied by local sources.
The Glenroy homestead provides the perfect setting for retreats. The open lawns, well established gardens, abundant birdlife and transcendent views instil in one an incredible sense of peace. The main house can be booked out by groups and is ideal for artists and writers or even those of you who need fresh inspiration and a break from the stress and fast pace of life in the city. You will find it in this sanctuary.
To help calm the mind and re-energise the body, experience Pilates in the garden or a walking meditation through the beautiful Labyrinth at Rietvlei, a short drive from Glenroy. If you don’t feel like wandering far from this ‘secret garden’ then stay where you are. Let the gardens inspire your creativity, or pamper yourself with facials, massages, laser therapy and much more.
Glenroy is adjacent to Moor Park private Game Reserve, and within half an hour's drive, through some of the world's
finest scenery, to two game reserves, namely Weenen,
"the place of weeping" in the thornveld, and Spionkop which surrounds the large Spionkop dam and is overlooked by
the famous mountain where a terrible battle took place betweeen
the Boers and the English under Sir Redvers Buller.
Both game reserves boast two of the "Big Five":
the cantankerously primitive rhino and the wily leopard. Besides
these two, they both have giraffe, warthog, bushpig, ostrich
and all the species of antelope common in this area of Africa.
All of this is set in real African bush, with the mighty Drakensberg,
"the barrier of spears", as a backdrop.
Take a paddle steamer ride
on Spionkop dam or have a drink while watching the game,
braai your meat and other tasty morsels then eat to the sounds
of Africa, totally isolated from the madness of the rest of
the world. Listen and see over 150 species of birdlife, not
to mention the numerous butterflies and other insect life
that abounds in our part of Africa. It is an experience not
to be missed.
The Midlands Meander has been going for many years now and has developed into one of South Africa's most popular tourist routes, even surpassing the world famous winelands of the Cape. Glenroy, is on the edge of the Meander. Enjoy winding along country roads to visit artists and crafters who offer home made produce, gifts for friends, functional objects or unique artworks. Indulge in a meal at one of many restaurants where the food ranges from traditional English to seafood to Italian type food, or enjoy a picnic in the clean fresh air after buying a basket from one of the numerous farm stalls.
For the more energetic, there are hiking and mountain bike trails and many other sporting events. This is also the premier trout fishing area of South Africa. For more about the meander have a look at their comprehensive website.
We are a comfortable half
hour drive from the Central Drakensberg, which has some of the most spectacular ranges
of the 200-kilometre-long Drakensberg mountains of South Africa
also known as uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears).
Take a walk through the mountains to visit the
San cave paintings at Kamberg, Injasuti and Highmoor - some of the oldest in the world. For a more extreme experience, take part in the Karkloof or Drakensberg Canopy Tours, or visit the Drakenberg Boy's choir for an aural experience to match the views.
For mementos of your tour, visit one of the many small craft shops including those at Thokozisa and KwaZulu Weavers, offering everything from wind chimes and jewellery, to furniture, rugs and candles.
The Drakensberg has numerous world class golf courses, nestling
in the foothills of the Berg, and an array of world class
resorts where all amenities like hiking, horse riding, trout
fishing, bowls and tennis are catered for.
The areas in and around Estcourt have a long and varied history. Climb the Drakensberg in search of ancient rock art, or visit the sites of famous battles like Majuba,
Spionkop, Colenso, Willowgrange or the site of Churchill's capture at Chieverley.
Greystone, home to Sir Frederick Moor, former Prime Minister of Natal, is also a short drive away. Or visit Fort Durnford and its dungeon - once a functioning fort and now a museum for local history. Or Winterton Museum, slightly further afield, makes for a picturesque drive.
Wagendrift Dam, situated
in the picturesque Wagendrift reserve, offers boating and fishing. Species of
fish often caught include scaly, bluegill, bass, carp, eel
and, occasionally, trout.
For those interested in water sports, the dam is popular
for windsurfing and skiing, and offers picnic facilities along
the reserve edge. Boat rides are available on request. Fishing the dam's abundant waters provides opportunity for both reflection and excitement.
It is also close to one of the oldest iron age sites in KwaZulu-Natal (dating back to 1300AD), and large fossil beds.
If you feel like something a little more vigorous, then Greystone Camp and Adventure Centre, offers high ropes, white water rafting, paintball, archery and fencing as well as other group dynamic exercises.
Horse riding trails in the shadow of the Berg provide other opportunities for the outdoor inclined. Or visit the Karkloof or Drakensberg Canopy Tours for a breathtaking experience of indigenous forests.
Glenroy provides a peaceful base for corporate team building with a difference. |
