23 Nov Stay at Little Fields Country House
A quaint, country-style self-catering accommodation near Howick, Little Fields Country House and Cottages, located along the Midlands Meander, is the perfect stopover to regroup and relax. The property which overlooks a valley of farms has one large country house that sleeps nine and two cottages: the Fern Cottage and the Little Loft Cottage, both of which sleep four.
Aesthetics and Character
When you enter the Fern Cottage (which is the cottage we stayed in), you are immediately greeted by country-style living vibes. The open plan kitchen, with concrete counters, and a wooden dining table centred by a cosy nook where one can sit and look out into the garden, is filled with cute details like a fruit basket filled with oranges, purple lilies in a vase, and a woven basket bag – which they said is for foraging along the walking paths – but I reckon is completely for aesthetic purposes. This cosy, quaint (in a picturesque way, not in an eccentric way), curated rustic vibe really sets the tone for the rest of the cottage’s aesthetics and character.
The Rooms
Perfect for couples or a family of four, as both rooms have en-suite bathrooms, the rooms in the Fern Cottage, are filled with shades of green, jungle-like prints, filled bookcases, shelves with bits and pieces and moody artwork, which all go a long way to making the spaces feel extra cosy, yet very curated.
The bedroom on the left as you enter is slightly bigger than the other one, allowing for additional space to accommodate two armchairs and a workstation or vanity area (depending on what your life looks like). Both rooms do have a television which you can watch comfortably from your bed, air-conditioning and open up to views of the midlands farm valley.
Things to Experience
Learn more about out history by visiting The Nelson Mandela Capture Site, where Nelson Mandela was captured in 1962. The site has since been turned into a museum and memorial site, where you can also see the incredible sculpture by Marco Cianfanelli. This beautiful piece of art is made from steel charcoal-coloured columns, which reveal a portrait visual of Nelson Mandela as you stand directly in front of the piece.
Go hiking around Little Fields property as well as other hiking trails in the area.
Take a tour of a local brewery or distillery, such as Notties Brewery, which the “oldest independently owned brewery in South Africa” (www.nottsbrewery.co.za). Whilst this is the most notable of the breweries due to its heritage, according to my ChatGPT search, “the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are home to a number of craft breweries and distilleries that offer tours and tastings,” and a quick google search can provide you with a list or you can book a brewery tour from services such as Endless Summer Tours.
Grab a meal or shop at Yard 41, a retail and lifestyle centre with shops and restaurants. We had a delicious breakfast at The Treatery Eatery.
Visit the Howick Falls.
The Midlands is not the first place one thinks of when they think of wine, but the wine scene in the KZN Midlands has been growing to the point where there are a few wine farms like Abingdon Wine Estate , Highgate Wine Estate or Cathedral Peak Wine Estate, where you can book a wine-tasting.
A Final Word
The owners/hosts are really friendly and you can literally text them to find out anything during your stay. There are 2 dogs on the property a golden retriever and a labrador, who are both super chilled and friendly, but if you are afraid of dogs, you might want to think about whether you can stay here because they are curious and friendly.
The freshly baked bran muffins in the morning, which come with what I imagine is homemade delicious butter, are a treat and the guide on what you can do around the area reflects some of the high-touch hospitality one experiences at Little Fields, so I would certainly return there again 😉
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