Balgowan, Natal Midlands
North of Howick, in the central part of the Midlands Meander that lies between Nottingham Road and Lidgetton, lies Balgowan, one of the most beautiful parts of the country with weather that invariably rolls all four seasons into one, but which gives your visit an element of mystery that makes this part of the world so attractive.
This is the land of green, of soft wavy hills dominated by pastures and pine forests through which crystal-clear streams meander interspersed by waterfalls. Balgowan began its existence as an old trading store and train station, where local timber was received for the surrounding farms in the Natal Midlands. Today it is a geographical area, rather than a town, that starts somewhere between Nottingham Road and Lidgetton and ends before you hit Caversham.
There are landmarks that are synonymous with the area like Michaelhouse School, the reputable boarding school for boys, which includes wonderful English gothic style architecture and a chapel that is open to the public.
The Glass Studio is another where the creators of glass and wrought-iron works of art produce 80% of the sand-blasted items and iron-work themselves, some to their customers’ specifications, and include anything from salt and pepper cellars to lamp work, decorated mirrors and clocks.
The iHashi Forest horse trails lie in Balgowan along Caversham Road, and the Balgowan Conservancy is working together with the Balgowan Conservancy Project to establish a mist belt forest tree trail for those with two feet. The Bosch Hoek Golf course, rated as one of the top nine-hole golf courses in the country, lies near Balgowan.
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
I love anywhere in the Natal Midlands and Balgowan is no exception. The scenery is magnificent, gorgeous Midlands Meander shops are perfect places for a browse and of course wandering through Michaelhouse never fails to disappoint.
Helen Rushton (Kearsney)
Verified review
Balgowan really doesn't have much to offer except for its exquisite scenery, which suited us just fine. It was the very definition of "peace and quiet" and we couldn't have asked for more. However, those wanting a fun destination with lots to do should give it a skip.
Marie (Nelspruit)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

AfriCamps at Gowan Valley
AfriCamps at Gowan Valley offers accommodation in luxury tents in the area of Balgowan on the Gowan Valley Guest Farm. An enchanting farm with ro...

Abberley Guest House
Abberley Guest House offers comfortable accommodation in Balgowan in a private, rustic setting with a country feel. We offer eight lovely units, ...

Beacon Vlei Guest Farm
Nestled in the heart of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, Beacon Vlei Guest Farm offers comfortable B&B and self-catering accommodation with unrivalled...

Gowan Valley Guest Farm
Gowan Valley Guest Farm is located in the heart of the Natal Midlands. Meander down into the valley of peace and quiet, where you can relax and u...

Millgate Cottages
Set amongst the rolling farmlands of the Natal Midlands, Millgate Cottage offers affordable and comfortable accommodation. Each unit has its own ...

Bosch Hoek Lodge
Bosch Hoek Lodge offers Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a selection of rooms on a converted farmstead. This luxury getaway provides easy access ...

Lavender Trout Guest Farm
Lavender Trout Guest Farm offers accommodation in Nottingham Road and is located on the R103 on the Midlands Meander- only 3kms from Michaelhouse...

Old Balgowan Farm Cottages
Old Balgowan Farm Cottages offers accommodation in the heart of the Midlands Meander on a beautiful 580 hectare working farm. Ideally located dir...

Willow and Lily
When city life becomes too much for you, get in your car and head for Willow and Lily. A tastefully decorated four-star guesthouse, Willow and Li...

Granny Mouse Country House
This picturesque, thatched country retreat is situated among 52 acres on the Midlands Meander on an outcrop overlooking natural bush and the rapi...

Enniskerry Self-Catering
Enniskerry self-catering guest suites is for visitors looking for accommodation on a self-catering basis. Situated in a beautiful, peaceful, farm...

Notting Hill Lodge
Notting Hill Lodge offers comfortable, country bed and breakfast accommodation in Balgowan at the heart of the Natal Midlands. This is a lovely p...

Midlands Inverness Cottages
Come and share the quiet tranquility of our working stud farm in the beautiful Caversham Valley, KwaZulu Natal Midlands. Inverness Farm is centra...

Arum Hill Lodge
Situated on seven hectares of property, Arum Hill Lodge offers exclusive accommodation in the heart of the Midlands. Arum Hill Lodge is the ideal...

Caversham Mill
In the heart of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands in South Africa, is the historical Caversham Mill. Caversham Mill Estate comprises the Caversham Mill ...

Mount Shekinah Country Hotel
Mount Shekinah Country Hotel offers accommodation in the ever-so-beautiful KwaZulu Natal Midlands and is located off the R103 in Balgowan, a ston...
Things to do in the area

Herb House on Woodridge
Herb House can be found on the Woodridge Country Hotel property in the Natal Midlands where they make handmade old fashioned cold process soap us...

Caversham Mill Restaurant
The Caversham Mill Restaurant is situated on the banks of the Lions River, overlooking a waterfall. When the river is in full flow, the noise of ...

iSibaya Restaurant
Located at the renowned Woodridge Country Hotel and Spa in the heart of the Natal Midlands, Isibaya a la Carte Restaurant offers a menu inspired ...

Summer Fishing at Caversham Mill
Caversham Mill Estate comprises a restaurant, manor house and quaint cottages, all within the beautiful tranquility of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands...

Peters Gate Herbal Centre
For a herbalishious experience, make sure you visit the Peters Gate Herbal Centre. Discover the largest selection of herb plants in the Caversham...

Balgowan Conservancy Information Centre
This fabulous centre situated in a log style cabin near the entrance to the Michaelhouse School is filled with photos and information about the s...

Swissland Cheese
The natural splendour of the Natal Midlands is combined with the enticing allure of Switzerland on the Swissland Cheese Farm. Situated in Balgowa...
Noteworthy attractions

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 undula...

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...

Bosch Hoek Golf Club
Bosch Hoek Golf Course in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands must qualify as one of the most picturesque layouts in the country. The estate is convenient...

Gowrie Farm Golf Course
Gowrie Farm Golf Course, one of KwaZulu Natal’s finest golf courses, was built in the traditional way with push up greens and rugged bunkers. The...

Maritzburg Golf 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 gr...

Sakabula Golf Club
Sakabula Golf Club is a unique combination of agricultural smallholdings around a delightful 18-hole, par 73, golf course in a scenic rural envir...

Victoria Country Club
Less than five minutes from the CBD of Pietermaritzburg, the Victoria Country Club is superbly located in the scenic parklands adjoining the Quee...

Battlefields Route
The KwaZulu Natal hinterland has witnessed some of the most brutal and significant battles to be fought in South Africa. These historical sites f...

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 c...
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