Halls Country House, Giants Castle | Quick Reference Fact Sheet

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Are you looking for a country retreat where you can relax and regenerate? A honeymoon destination? Halls Country House offers 4-star accommodation and fine food to travellers who wish to pander to their souls.

Our 5-hectare estate is set at the northern end of the Midlands Meander within 45 minutes of the high Drakensberg. With our deep rural setting and spectacular views we meet the needs of those who require seclusion, tranquillity and nothing more intrusive than the sound of a tractor in the middle distance or an owl hooting at night.

Built in 1904, this traditional Natal Verandah House has been exquisitely decorated to make the most of its 3-metre high ceilings and Oregon pine floors. Just the place to cosy-up to a blazing, antique fireplace with a glass of whatever takes your fancy. Or relax in our colour-swathed, fragrant garden. Listen to 380 species of birds and enjoy the champagne air of the Midlands Mist Belt.

With only 5 en-suite rooms we’re small enough to provide personal service and warm hospitality!

Food & Accommodation

Visitors from all over the world to enjoy our country cuisine. All ingredients are organic, homegrown or sourced from local country pantries. Our spacious and rustic suites are inside the main structure or in converted outbuildings. And our 4-star grading is your guarantee of cleanliness and quality. All rooms are en-suite and have private entrances to the garden.

Small Weddings & Conferences

We’re also an ideal venue for small weddings where close members of the two families can get to know each other in convivial surroundings and enjoy shared interests. And if you want a really private bosberaad where you’ve got the place to yourselves.

Awards & Accolades

Not only is Halls Country House TGCSA 4-Star graded but we were delighted to be chosen as one of the 10 semi-finalists in the category “Best Full Service Guest House” in South Africa in the 2005 AA (Automobile Association) Awards competition. We didn’t win it, but we’re working on that.

Activities

Dramatic Drakensberg:
There are many attractions in this beautiful area. We're the last guest house on the tarred road between the village of Mooi River and Giant's Castle - where you can walk / hike in pristine and dramatically beautiful surroundings. In the summer you can swim in crystal-clear rock pools and rivers. It’s a lot less developed than the Northern ‘Berg, the maps are good and the trails are well marked.

The Tugela Falls:
At 948 metres, it’s the second highest waterfall in the world. The Amphitheatre and the Royal Natal National Park are all less than 2 hours away.

Bushman Rock Art:
South Africa’s three premier outdoor galleries of Bushman rock art (Kamberg, Injasuti and Giant’s Castle) are within easy reach (less than 1 hour).

Make the Most of the Meander
Then we're members of the Midlands Meander, which as you probably know, is the largest arts and crafts ramble in the country, with 180 members. A for instance or two? When last did you buy something that you knew was going to last 10 years? Buy a pair of hand-made shoes at the Groundcover Leather Company and plan on bringing them back in about a decade for new soles. The Linen Loft is just down the road. All women love it. Outstanding quality and good prices.

Things you might like to do but need to book in advance

(and we’d be delighted to make the arrangements for you).

Fly Fishing:
If you would like us to recommend a good guide for a fly fishing day, we can certainly do so. And we’ll cook whatever you catch. For rivers it’s the headwaters of the Bushman’s River (Giant’s Castle) or the Big Mooi (Kamberg Valley). Dams - innumerable. If you’ve never tried fly-fishing, it’s a fabulous day out in beautiful surroundings.

Horse Riding:
Perhaps a horse trail through the rivers and forests of the Drakensberg foothills with the South African Ladies Endurance Champion, who lives just a few kilometres away?

Battlefields Day Tour:
One of the foremost authorities on the Anglo-Boer War is based in Mooi River and he’d be happy to share your breakfast with you while he “sets the scene” and then takes you on a day tour of the Colenso and Spioenkop battlefields. Picnic in the shadow of the Spioenkop summit. This is another great day out in magnificent countryside with a superb raconteur who brings the whole thing to life for you.

Golf:
If you’re a golfer, Boschoek is only 30 minutes away and it’s a stunning course. Or you can play at the Mooi River Country Club (lot of water, but no bunkers!), only 7 kilometres away.

Experience the countryside on a bicycle:
Hire a mountain bike and a guide for a morning, afternoon or a day and explore the forest tracks and waterfalls in the area.

Dining:
What about dinner at Hartford House? It’s regularly voted one of the top 10 restaurants in the country. It’s a 5-course menu (not counting the canapés and the sorbets!) created by some of our youngest and most innovative chefs.

Drakensberg Boys Choir:
And if you have the flexibility to be here on a Wednesday afternoon during term time, you could take in a Drakensberg Boys' Choir concert - it really is a sublime experience. You’ll need tissues. And a jersey for the goosebumps.

We look forward to welcoming you to Halls Country House - Brian and Janette.

Halls Country House, Giants Castle, KwaZulu Natal

Food & Accommodation

Small Weddings & Conferences

Awards & Accolades

Activities

Things you might like to do but need to book in advance