Visit our “self catering” cottages at “The Ponds”, in the Central Drakensberg. This is a wonderful retreat, and is set amongst huge trees, some of which I believe are 150 years old. The views of Champagne Castle, Mount Cathkin and Sterkhorn are magnificent. As the light changes, you have a very different scene every 20 minutes. This is sheer music to the soul and great inspiration to artists. If you need to get back to nature, or take a stroll with God, this is it.

Ferndale Cottage consists of a living room, two bedrooms; one with a king-size bed, the other with two single beds. Each bedroom has its own bathroom. One with a bath, the other with a shower. The cottage has a fireplace to keep you warm on winter evenings, a small stove and refrigerator, a kettle, a toaster, the usual pots, pans, crockery and necessary utensils. There is no TV.

The area offers hiking, birding, trout fishing, cycling , horse riding and golf to all that are adventurous. You can also take the views by helicopter on a good day.

Things to do:

Falcon Ridge: Rehabilitates birds of prey and offers flight displays weather permitting (10:30) tel . 082 774 6398

Everyday except Fridays. Adults R30, Children R10.

The Drakensberg Boys Choir  

Ardmore Pottery Studio “World renowned” is close by, (light lunches and tea available).

Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve: R15 per head or your Rhino Card. 16kms from turnoff to Right just before you enter Winterton from Bergville.   Very beautiful, and worth a visit . Open from 5am -7pm. Take your sundowners. 

Thokosisa Village: Various shops of interest. Restaurant open for lunch and dinners.

Champagne Sports Resort Golf Club: 036 468 1088

Monks Cowl Country Club:   Golf , pub & restaurant. 036 468 1300

Hiking from Monks Cowl:      2 – 3 hr walks.  Just past Champagne Castle Hotel

Good view of the Mountains:   go to Champagne Castle Hotel for drinks on the Patio.

Out for supper: We suggest, Thoksisa, Champagne Castle Hotel (036 4681063) & The Nest., Dragons Peak Restaurant 036 4681218, or Monks Cowl Country Club 036 4681300

Shopping:  

The Spar in Winterton. Closes at 1pm weekends.

The butchery in Winterton is renowned for his boerewors. When have you last had a real farm chicken?

The Co-op (as you enter Winterton on the RHS) is very good for cheese. (like half the price).

Cedar Berg Shopping Centre is close, about 5kms away. (Opposite Champagne Sports)

Thokosisa Village: Various shops of interest. Also Art Gallery.   Pickles, cheeses, smoked trout and lunches.

The Oaks Supermarket at Dragons Peak Caravan Park. Petrol and fills gas cylinders. 8am – 1pm weekends.

Valley Bakery and Coffee Shop, and Gallery 7am – 5pm weekdays, 7am to 1pm weekends.