About Fort Durnford Museum

Fort Durnford was built out of local sandstone in a strong rectangular shape with thick, high walls and a couple of prominant towers. It was built to serve as a stronghold on a rise overlooking the old military post at Bushman's River drift.

Did you know? KwaZulu-Natal is littered with the battlefields of yesteryear, which saw many a bloody encounter between the indigenous Zulu folk and the foreign settlers. The sense of history here is quite haunting.

It is said to rest where the Voortrekker leader Gert Maritz originally set up camp along the river, fortified in 1873 to act as a British stronghold to keep the British safe against any Zulu attack after the Langalibalele Rebellion of 1873.

Fort Durnford is a substantial fort with walls that are two feet thick and 30 feet high and heavily barred windows throughout, originally fitted with iron shutters set on hinges spiked to the walls. Under it are various tunnels that allowed the British to move supplies through the area and which provided a hidden escape route into the hills.

Today, although the building remains historically relevant in its own right, it serves as Estcourt's museum with a number of artefacts on display that include fossils, relics from both the Iron Age and Stone Age, old wagons and models of historic Natal battles. It also has a rather large birds' egg collection.

You can still see a large underground water tank beneath one of the rooms and a couple of the 'secret' tunnels that lead from beneath the ground floor of the north-west tower, believed to have continued towards the military post at the drift when it headed for the hills.

You will find the museum in Kemps Road, Estcourt open Monday to Sunday during the day but closed over lunch. The entrance is free, although there is a donation box.

Photo credit: Fort Durnford Museum in Estcourt ~ Photograph © LuftFan

Need to Know

WhereKemps Road, Estcourt, Battlefields, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

WhenMonday to Sunday during the day but closed over lunch

OvernightStay in Estcourt Accommodation, KwaZulu Natal

Disclaimer

Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.

Feedback?

If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options in Estcourt

Things to do in the area

Accommodation convenient to Fort Durnford Museum

FIND / South Africa Accommodation / KwaZulu Natal Accommodation / Battlefields Accommodation / Estcourt Accommodation

Estcourt as a destination

Want to stay overnight?

Dates

When would you like to stay?
Choose dates

Number of Guests

Why book with SA-Venues.com
  • Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
  • No airy fairy service fees; you save!
  • We care. Service with integrity.
  • Multiple payment methods:
    credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer.
  • All Estcourt property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
  • Secure your booking
Our Payment Protection Guarantee only applies if your deposit payment is made via SA-Venues.com
South Africa. Explore. Experience. Stay

SA-Venues.com® has been assisting travellers with their South Africa travel plans since 1999, and is the largest, independent online travel guide for South Africa available in both English and German.