Hilton, Natal Midlands
The distinctly English country village of Hilton with its attractive sense of history lies only 10 kilometres from Pietermaritzburg at the start of the Midlands Meander.
Hiltons beginnings originated in the purchase of a large portion of the farm Ongegund in 1857 by Joseph Henderson, whose wife called their farm ‘Hilton’. Hilton is a good five degrees cooler than Pietermaritzburg, and it is this access to fresh air, coupled with first sightings of the Drakensberg, that lures people to Hilton. The town may now be home to 10 000 residents, but it manages to retain its village feel, right down to its meagre adherence to traffic control with only two traffic lights, and some distinct examples of Tudor-style architecture.
The broad streets are tree-lined, and although the village isn’t officially a ‘garden city’, it bears a strong resemblance to those cities so tagged, with window boxes brimming with flowers, garden clubs and green interest groups. Hilton is home to no fewer than five schools, including the boarding schools Hilton College and St Anne’s.
Hilton College has become the site of the Hilton Arts Festival, which spreads over nine venues on campus during September, and runs for two-and-a-half days, bringing the best of South African theatre to KwaZulu Natal. There is usually a line-up that includes drama, comedy, music, cabaret and an arts and craft market - most of them straight from the Grahamstown festival that happens in July.
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Hilton
Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve
The source of the uMngeni River lies in the uMngeni Vlei area, an ancient wetland bounded by hills. From here it meanders eastward through undulating pastoral countryside until just before Midmar Dam, where it is joined by the Lions River. Below Midmar Dam the river plunges some 111 metres down ... more information
Maritzburg Country Club
The Maritzburg Golf Club in Pietermaritzburg is one of the oldest golf clubs in South Africa, dating back to 1886. It has lush, smooth cynodon greens; pine trees line many of the fairways and water hazards feature on seven holes; numerous bunkers; very hilly course with beautiful scenery; excellent test of golf ... more information
Midlands Meander
The enchantment of the Midlands has long inspired many a visitor and resident to creativity and as a result, local artists, potters and weavers combined to create an arts and crafts route in 1985, which was to become the highly successful and popular Midlands Meander. The route stretches ... more information
Midmar Dam Nature Reserve
The large stretch of fresh water from the uMngeni, coupled with 1000 hectares of game park that contains red hartebeest, blesbok, reedbuck, black wildebeest, oribi and zebra, is what makes the Midmar Dam Nature Reserve so attractive. And the fact that it’s just 7 kilometres from Howick and 24 kilometres from ... more information
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Things To Do in Hilton
Shop at the Hilton Farmstall
Where: Hilton
How much (per person): Free to Browse
Heading out to the Natal Midlands or Midmar for a picnic lunch? Why not stop off at the Hilton Farmstall to collect your picnic bits? Th ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Hilton
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On Holiday in Hilton
• Hilton Accommodation
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