Words: Anne Schauffer | Images: Supplied, Lythwood Lodge & Stephen Pryke
Lidgetton is arguably one of the prettiest little villages in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. It lies on the R103 at the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains in the exquisite Caversham Valley and is accessed through charming, picture-postcard, winding country roads, past waterfalls and lush green fields populated by cattle, dairy and horses.
It’s a mere hour and a bit from Durban on the N3, which translates as city to country in under 90 minutes – an easy day trip just for lunch and a few retail spoils. Lidgetton itself is tiny, but it’s part of a number of little villages and hamlets which comprise the Midlands country patchwork. There are stop-offs in Lidgetton which are part of the well-known Midlands Meander, a series of well-thought-out and designated tourism routes which feature around 150 craft shops, eateries, accommodation, wedding venues, you name it. On Ardmore Farm, Ardmore Gallery and Museum is open to the public every day, including public holidays.
Home sweet home
Zimbabwean-born ceramic artist, Fée Halstead, moved from the Drakensberg to Lidgetton in 2002. “I was drawn to the property because the house overlooks the confluence of two rivers – it’s where the Lions and the Mpofana Rivers meet. I fell in love with the French country style of the home, with its gracious high ceilings, spacious rooms, and 7ha which is manageable for a garden. It was also ideal to stable our horses.”
Ardmore Farm, as it’s known, is next door to Caversham Mill, waterfall and restaurant, and the setting is exquisite. The farm is, of course, also home to Ardmore Ceramics, where the unique, world-renowned sculptures are dreamed up, created and crafted by Fée’s team of talented local artists, “When I chose this home, I felt it was important to provide a beautiful, uplifting environment for our artists, and this exquisite spot in Lidgetton provided all that and more.”
For Fée, the entire property is her sanctuary, because it holds everything from ceramic studios to stabling for her horses. But when it comes to inside the home, she pinpoints her spacious country kitchen, bedroom and large, sociable lounge with big fireplaces for cosy winters, as her favourite areas in the home.
Gems in the neighbourhood
Lidgetton itself is a secret gem and with good neighbours, says Fée, time is often spent in your own and others’ homes. Fée travels regularly, so inevitably home always escalates in significance. Ardmore has moved into different spheres of creativity and new outlets, where designs have morphed into exquisite collaborations with prestigious brands such as Hermes, the silver pieces of artist Patrick Mavros, and themed ceramic exhibitions held from London to New York.
Secret culinary gems in the Midlands are plentiful, some within a half-hour radius of Ardmore Farm. Fée says, “My favourite is to go local with Italian at La Lampara just down the road, The Menu at Highgate, or Caversham Mill next door. If I venture further afield, it’ll be to Hartford House or even further, to Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse.”
Perfect Sunday
Fée, like many of the pioneering artists of the Midlands, embraced the “work.live.play” philosophy long before it became the preferred lifestyle globally. It was a way of life chosen by those who loved the country and were determined to live there as artists and by sharing that, make a living. Ardmore Farm includes the Bonnie Ntshalintshali Museum, named after one of the first artists at Ardmore, and visitors are free to visit and shop any time they like.
Living here, spending time at home in the garden, or having large lunch parties with friends in the kitchen, are top of the list for Fée’s Sunday favourites, “We’re not far from Kamberg either, so if the weather is right, we head off there to picnic with family and friends.”
Fée is a passionate horsewoman, so whenever possible, every Sunday involves the horses, whether it’s a ride into the surrounds or not. Having been raised in Zimbabwe, Fée has a great affinity for the bush. “It doesn’t happen often, but when I plan a real getaway, it’s Phinda on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast or Zimbabwe. Whichever, my escape is a bush one.”
“At Lidgetton, we’re surrounded by rolling hills, pastoral history and warm, hospitable neighbours. It’s really a wonderful lifestyle, and I can’t visualise living or working elsewhere.”
Fée Halstead
Sleep:
- Caversham Mill Restaurant, Manor House & Country Cottages
- Lythwood Lodge
- Lastingham Country Lodge
- Caladdi B&B
- Woodcroft
- Penny Lane Guest House
Do:
- Contact N3 Gateway to enjoy everything from one-day adventures to a week-long getaway
- Visit Fée’s bustling studio and gallery, Ardmore Ceramics
- Discover the Mandela Capture Site: a cultural and historical exhibition
- Hike on river and hill trails
- Golf at Bosch Hoek Golf & Lodge or Sakabula Golf Course
- See the St Matthews historical building
- Enjoy trout fishing in dams and rivers around nearby Kamberg
- There are plenty horse trails
Eat:
- La Lampara: for traditional Italian cuisine
- Lythwood Lodge: for a five-course dinner by head chef Vusi Mkhwanazi
- The Menu at Highgate (at Piggly Wiggly): for contemporary fare
- Il Postino Pizzeria: for handmade, wood-fired pizzas
- The Waffle Inn and Coffee Shop: for homemade Belgium waffles
- St Ives: for laidback eating
