Nottingham Road: The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker

Nottingham Road is tucked away in the hills of the KZN Midlands, where potters, weavers, farmers and painters go about their business. It’s home to the founding families of the Midlands Meander, but more importantly, to all those whose hearts yearn for the country.

- Kyra Tarr

The KZN Midlands is a canvas upon which the seasons are painted. In winter, the brittle grass is burnt by frost and dampened by mist that lingers in the valleys. Black firebreaks mar the land beneath a pale sky. And then, as if remembering itself, the landscape explodes into a dazzling summer. The sun awakens Christmas beetles that call the thunderstorms and herald the green world that surrounds me now.

I’m driving on the R103 towards Nottingham Road, a small town I haven’t visited since playing hockey matches there as a girl. (I grew up in Hilton.) “Notties” is about 20km northwest of Pietermaritzburg and 25km south of Mooi River. Before the N3 was built, this was the main route to Johannesburg. It has so many twists and turns, I’d imagine people felt a little queasy by the time they got there!

I tick off the usual stops as I drive deeper into the Midlands: The Belgian chocolate shop, Nelson Mandela’s capture site, the Piggly Wiggly shopping centre, the impressive school grounds of Michaelhouse, and Rawdons Estate – the final beacon before entering Nottingham Road.

ALADDIN’S DELIGHT

Visit this stained-glass Aladdin’s cave belonging to Jan and Louise van Niekerk to buy anything from glass lamps to windows and doors. Enquire about stained-glass classes.

033 266 6460; aladdins.co.za

SHUTTLEWORTHWEAVING

The Shuttleworth farm is a 10-minute drive from the town’s centre on the Fort Nottingham Road. Give them a call if you’d like to view the factory. If you’re more interested in purchasing a carpet or rug, pop in to Shuttleworth Weaving in Main Road, Nottingham Road.

076 709 3049;