Murrayfield, Pretoria

Murrayfield, in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, neighbours the well known and sought-after Lynnwood Ridge, Brummeria, Meyerspark and La Montagne. It is a little suburb that lies in the crook of the N4 with easy access to this major highway, the N1, and the major tributary of Lynnwood Road. Which makes it an ideal place to stay if nipping in and out of Pretoria is high on your list of priorities.

An added advantage to staying in Murrayfield is that it is just down the road from the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens. The breakaway opportunity this affords the visitor is fantastic for weekends, late afternoon strolls and early morning picnics. From the avenue of Bolusanthus trees, to the medicinal garden and the wonderful green lawns under shade trees, these gardens are well worth a visit or two.

The Faerie Glen Nature Reserve is also close at hand just to the south of Lynnwood Road, where catching sight of birds like the black duck, European nightjar, redthroated wryneck, crimson breasted shrike, European bee-eater and Cape weaver make it extremely popular. It is also a beautiful spot - the northern parts dominated by the Bronberg Mountains, at the foot of which runs the Moreletta spruit.

And as for other exploring, Murrayfield is only about 10 kilometres from Church Square and the city centre where you can also take in the City Hall, the South African Reserve Bank, Strijdom Square and Melrose House - regarded as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the country. The suburb is also within easy reach of the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, and, if you have the time, head out to Sammy Marks Museum to enjoy a cup of tea on the verandah of the colonial homestead.