5THINGS TO DO
1. Taste beer at the Notties Brewery
Your time in Notties would be incomplete without a visit to The Nottingham Road Brewing Company. Pickled Pig porter, Tiddly Toad lager, Tipsy Tiger IPA, Whistling Weasel pale ale or Pye-eyed Possum pilsner – take your pick!
“We’re one of South Africa’s oldest independently owned breweries,” says brewmaster John Morrow.
Do a beer tasting in the tap room (R60) or spend an afternoon at The Boar’s Head pub just across the parking lot.
They’ve recently branched out into distilling craft gin, too.
Where? Rawdons Country Hotel, R103
Contact: 083 782 8959; nottsbrewery.co.za
2. Picnic at The Junction
Pack a blanket and go picnic next to the dam at The Junction. This country lifestyle centre has plenty of shops to explore, including The Ugly Duckling (everything from wind chimes to door handles), Dirt Road Traders outdoor apparel and Madame Butterfly decor.
The little ones can enjoy themselves on the jungle gym and run around the lawn. Why not treat them to a chocolate-dipping experience at Chocolate Heaven (R95)? Sugar rush guaranteed.
There’s a self-service restaurant on the property called District 103. They offer a wide assortment of freshly pressed juices, coffee, sandwiches and deli products.
Should you wish to picnic, all food and drink must be bought on the premises.
Where? Main Road
Contact: 033 266 6116; junctionshopping.co.za
3. Go fish
The Midlands boasts some of the best fly-fishing spots in South Africa. If your accommodation doesn’t offer fishing on the property, the following places can help you out:
• Lavender Trout Farm: 082 929 7667; lavendertroutfarm.co.za
• Tillietudlem: 033 234 9045; tillietudlem.co.za
• Glengarry: 033 2677 225; glengarry.co.za Alternatively, contact Gareth George from Wildfly
( 033 266 6981) or visit wildfly.co.za for expert advice about fishing in the area.
4. Meander along the R103
You’ll have driven past more than one intriguing signboard on your trip to Notties. Now it’s time to get acquainted with the potters, weavers, cheese-makers, bakers and other artisans who call the R103 home.
The R103 is part of the original Midlands Meander, first conceptualised in 1985 by a handful of artists who wanted to put this region on the map. Since the first map was printed on brown paper in 1990, its membership has grown to more than 150 small businesses, all dedicated to slow living.
Here are some of our favourite places to check out within a 30 km radius: Ardmore Ceramic Art, Swissland Cheese, Spiral Blue, Tsonga, Groundcover Leather Company, Terbodore Coffee Roasters and the Indezi River Creamery.
Download a comprehensive map at midlandsmeander.co.za
5. Spend the night in a “haunted” hotel
Apparently, there’s a woman who haunts Room 10 of the Nottingham Road Hotel. The ghost is said to shift flower arrangements and straightens bedsheets. We don’t put much stock in ghost stories, but there is something thrilling about the whole business…
Tall tales aside, the hotel is one of the oldest buildings in town and a cosy place to spend the night. They have 14 hotel rooms and 10 garden suites. Where? Main Road
Rates: Hotel room R850 per person sharing; garden suite R970 per person sharing. Rates are lower during the week.
Contact: 033 266 6151; nottieshotel.co.za