Midlands at a glance
The N3 freeway from Pietermaritzburg, through Howick and Mooi River, connects the Midlands to the rest of South Africa. Howick is located approximately 1 hour from Durban and 5 hours from Johannesburg/Pretoria, this area has seen a revival as the destination of choice. Not only a retirement option, but as lifestyle choice.
While the elderly have made Howick their haven, the Midlands is not for the golden oldies alone. Commuters are within easy reach of Durban, Johannesburg and beyond either by road or air, with daily flights out of Pietermaritzburg.
Young economically active families are also talking advantage unrivalled quality of life and extensive choice of schools such Hilton College, Michaelhouse, St Anne’s, Epworth, St Johns, Maritzburg College, Grace College, Treverton, Weston Agricultural College, Howick High School, Howick Preparatory School and Howick Pre-Primary to name a few.
All are attracted by the temperate climate, the fresh air, easy accessibility and welcoming country atmosphere. Still one of the fastest growing areas in the country the Midlands offers great value for money in terms of property, security, open spaces, easy access to the cities, mountains and the sea.
The area has quadrupled in size and since the 1990s. The Ambers -Amberfield, Amber Glen and Amber Valley - comprising approximately 1700 retirement units offering excellent security and unsurpassed facilities, have changed the face of the Midlands, bolstering the economy and adding lustre to the area.
The most significant addition to the area has been the Howick Private Hospital which offers quality medical care, staffed by highly trained, professional medical personnel. In addition there is a 24 hour emergency centre, an intensive/high care unit as well as pathology and radiology.
The Midlands Meander has several respected restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, lodges, B&Bs, thriving wedding venues and Howick has seen huge growth in the commercial sector where one can now find Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths, Spar, Mr Price, Nandos as well as a wonderful selection of speciality shops such La Baguette, a true French bakery owned by Jean-Paul and Cathy Videau, Dovehouse Organics and the enormously popular Piggly Wiggly. Liberty Midlands Mall in Pietermaritzburg and Cascades Shopping Centre in Pietermaritzburg are within easy reach.
Residents and visitors have made the Midlands their playground: hiking, fishing, fly fishing, horse riding, cycling, Mountain Biking, water sports, birding, golf, swimming - with February’s Midmar Mile the largest open water swimming event in the world, polo at Karkloof Polo Club and Lion’s River, Karkloof Canopy tours, trail running, birdwatching and so much more. For a little pampering one can find a variety of world class spas – Karkloof Spa, Fordoun, Brookdale (recently voted the Best Destination Hydro Spa). A unique and exciting edition to the Midlands is the working vineyard, Abingdon Wine Estate.
Howick, named after Earl Grey, the British Colonial Secretary who had recently acquired the title Lord Howick, attracts interesting people. From as far back as 1872, when the Howick Falls Hotel was built, there have been many famous visitors to Howick and the Midlands such as Cecil John Rhodes, Paul Kruger, Mark Twain, Henry Morton Stanley, Oprah Winfrey and, the most famous of all, Nelson Mandela, who on the 5th August 1962 was arrested here. A monument on the R103 marks the spot where he was arrested and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Midlands … explore, idle, indulge and live.
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