Winterton South Africa

Introduction to Winterton

In 1905 three years after the Anglo-Boer War - the colonial government constructed a weir across the Little Thukela River and founded an irrigation settlement here called Springfield renamed Winterton in 1910. Winterton is situated in the beautiful foothills and main access point to the Central Drakensberg, this typical pioneer settlement offers a very relaxed atmosphere. Winterton serves the large community of maize, wheat and beef farmers and today Winterton is slowly becoming a tourist haven.

Winterton's Historical & Cultural Attractions

Battlefield Vaalkrans:

General Buller believed that Vaalkrans a hilly area further downstream from Spioenkop, was 'the key to Ladysmith'. On the 5 February 1900 he launched his third attempt to relieve Ladysmith.

The British managed to drive the Boers off the southern section of Vaalkrans. However, they were unable to place artillery on this portion or dislodge the Boers from the remainder of Vaalkrans and Green Hill. As a result Buller decided to withdraw his forces for the third time. The site is close to where the Harrismith-Estcourt freeway crosses the Thukela River near Winterton.

Spioenkop Battlefield:

The most intense phase of the battle took place during 23-24 January 1900. This was the scene of the most futile , certainly the bloodiest, of the four battles fought in an effort to cross the Uthukela River and relieve Ladysmith. Towards Winterton from Ladysmith, off the R616. Due North of the Spioenkop Dam.

For more information about the above or the following attractions contact the Winterton Information Bureau.

Museums, Monuments and Memorials in and around Winterton 

Spearmans Military Cemetery

Site of a field hospital where many men died of wounds received at Spioenkop.Off the Ladysmith - Winterton Road, +/- 1km, passed Spioenkop Nature Reserve 036-637 2231.

Marianne Church Ruins

This was the Second Dutch Reformed Church to be built in Natal, and was in use from 1852 to 1874. It was named after the wife of the D.R.C. Minister, Dr Faure. The ruins of this old church near Winterton are a declared national monument. Located on Farm Doveton in the Winterton area.

Winterton Museum

This small museum situated in Church Street is well worth a visit. The museum has fasinating dispalays on the history of farming in the area, the Zulu and a unique gallery of San paintings. The other exhibits include a blacksmith shop, the voting for the 'New South Africa' and the battles of Spioenkop and Vaalkrans which took place nearby. Open Monday to Friday 09h00 -15h00, Saturday 09h00 - 12h00.Tel.(036)4881885.

Accommodation in or near Winterton in the Northern & Central Berg 

The following is a list of Northern and Central Drakensberg Bed & Breakfast establishments, hotels, guesthouses and other tourism accommodation:

Guest House

• Antbear Guesthouse Telephone:(036)3523143

Bed & Breakfast

• Caterpillar and Catfish Cookhouse Telephone:(036)438 6130
• Cathkin Cottage Bed And Breakfast Telephone:(036)468 1513/0824018672
• Drakensberg B&B - Heart's Ease Farm Telephone: (036) 468 1603
• Drakensville Berg Resort Telephone:(036)4386287 
• Rose Cottage Telephone:(036)488 1049

Bush Camp

• Ntenjwa Bush Camp Telephone:(036)4481280
• Tugela River Lodge Telephone:(036)4881264

Caravan & Camping

• Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort Telephone:(036)468 1031
• KZN Wildlife - Cathedral Peak Telephone:(033)8451000
• KZN Wildlife - Cobham and Vergelegen Telephone:(033)8451000
• KZN Wildlife - Highmoor Telephone:(033)8451000
• KZN Wildlife - Injisuthi Telephone:(033)8451000
• KZN Wildlife - Lotheni Telephone:(033)8451000
• KZN Wildlife - Mahau and Rugged Glen Telephone:(033)8451000
• KZN Wildlife - Monks Cowl Telephone:(033)8451000
• KZN Wildlife - Spioenkop Telephone:(033)8451000
• Sungubala Mountain Camp Telephone:(036)438 6000

Hotel/Motel/Inn

• Alpine Heath Resort and Conference VillageTelephone: (036) 438 6484
• Cathedral Peak HotelTelephone: (036) 488 1888
• The Cavern Berg ResortTelephone: (036) 438 6270
• Champagne Castle HotelTelephone: (036) 468 1063Fax: (036) 468 1306
• Champagne Sports Resort HotelTelephone: (036) 468 1088
• Little Switzerland ResortTelephone:(036)438-6220
• Orion Mont Aux Sources ResortTelephone:(036)438 8000
• Sandford Park ResortTelephone:(036)4481001
• The Nest Drakensberg Mountain Resort HotelTelephone: (036) 468 1068

Lodge(Bush/Country)

• Cayley LodgeTelephone:(036)468 1222
• KZN Wildlife - Didima Camp Cathedral PeakTelephone:(033)8451000

Self-Catering

• Acorn CottagesTelephone:(036)468 1674 or 0824905202
• Alpine Heath Resort and Conference VillageTelephone:(036)438 6484
• Berghaven Holiday CottagesTelephone:(036)4681212

Youth Hostel/Accommodation/Backpackers

• Amphitheatre Backpackers cc Telephone:(036)438 6106
• Inkosana Lodge and Trekking Telephone:(036)468 1202