Coniston Guest House, Colesberg, Northern Cape
3 Ventershoek Street, Colesberg, Upper Karoo, Northern Cape, South Africa
Contact: Michael & Liz Southey, E-mail: click here
Telephone: +27 (0)51 753-0242, Facsimile: +27 (0)51 753-0242, Mobile: +27 (0)72 543-4513
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DESCRIPTION:

Coniston Guest House, approximately one kilometer from the N1, is situated in the centre of the town of Colesberg near the large Dutch Reformed Church. It is a historical Heritage house built by the ancestors of the owner Michael Southey in 1835 and has never left the ownership of the family since that date. Coniston House is one of the few examples of genuine double storey Cape Georgian architecture, with the classic proportions, in the country.

Accommodation


Set behind ancient pepper trees, among standard roses and lavender, next to a stonewalled sloot with water tinkling over the weirs, Coniston Guest House offers accommodation in several categories; The Manor House, Coach House and Stables and the Garden Cottage. The latter, set on the koppie, is also shaded by pepper trees.

Coniston Guest House offers a choice of family suites of two rooms (one with double bed, the other with twin beds) en-suite bathroom with bath or shower, suites with double bed and en-suite bath or shower, or rooms with twin beds and en-suite shower. A cot and extra mattresses are available on request. Coniston House is furnished throughout with antiques and family heirlooms. We have a well-lit and secure locked parking area.

Breakfast


Our renowned breakfasts are offered at Coniston Guest House. We do not serve dinner but we are within 40 metres of easy walking distance from several good restaurants.

History


Rich in history, there are many interesting stories connected to this gracious home. In 1847, famous big game hunter Roualeyn Gordon Cumming records in his book "A Hunter's Life In The Far Interior Of South Africa" that he visited Coniston House to collect water from the well in the grounds for his ox wagons.

In 1867, the first diamond was discovered by a Hopetown farmer, van Niekerk, and was brought to Coniston House by John O'Reilly, a transport driver and given to his employer who lived there. The diamond remained at Coniston for some time until it was assayed in Grahamstown. This find started the Great Diamond Rush of the same year and was responsible for the birth of Kimberley.

A historic meeting between a delegation from the Transvaal led by President Paul Kruger, and a delegation from the Cape Government led by Lord Loch, was held in 1893 in the sitting room of Coniston House. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the problems of the day including the Uitlander question in the Transvaal.

There are many associations with Colesberg and the Boer War. Amongst them the battle of Suffolk Hill and the occupation of the Town by the Boer forces. During the Anglo-Boer War the Manor House was abandoned by the family and taken over by an Orange Free State commando to be used as their hospital.
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