A contemporary country experience in the heart of the Midlands Meander.
Netherwood is about a break from the ordinary. It is about slowing down and celebrating big and small. From food and design, to friends, nature and life - it is, quite simply, a breath of fresh, clean, farm air.
Situated on a hilltop overlooking idyllic farmlands across Nottingham Road, Kamberg and beyond to the iconic Drakensberg mountains, Netherwood offers a variety of experiences. From coffee to beer, co-working to dining, day visits to cosy overnight stays, family gatherings to wedding celebrations - there’s a memorable moment for everyone. Inhale, exhale, and let the rolling vistas seep into your bones.
Netherwood is an operating farm made up of 5 different aspects:
Blueberry Café
Blueberry Café was originally a secret sundowner spot on a private angus stud farm. But with such clear views of the entire KZN Midlands, it was almost selfish to not share it with the world.
The rocky outcrop transformed into Blueberry Café - inspired by a wild orchard of blueberries that overflows on the farm every year. The berries are still harvested and used at the café for jams, sauces and our famous home-made cheesecake.
The building was designed to embrace nature (even our bathrooms have a view) and offer home-away-from-home comfort.
For over 10 years we have been serving modern cafe fare, aromatic coffee, and decadent blueberry cheesecake to visitors from across the country and globe alike.
Happy Days Brewery and Fork ‘n Cleaver Restaurant
Happy Days Brewery is about exactly that - happy days. Creating a local craft beer was born from a passion for the drink itself, but also for everything it represents: good times with good friends with good food. Why the Midlands for a brewery? Well, drinking in the views is great, but mostly it’s because of the pristine water - fundamental to brewing a great beer.
Adjoining the brewery is Fork n’ Cleaver Restaurant. Here the craft is about the meat, homegrown on Netherwood farm itself. We create modern dishes that capture the flavours of the season and the region - everything is sourced as locally as possible, including from Netherwood Farm and the gardens of Blueberry. We pride ourselves on a farm-to-fork, sustainable menu.
Netherwood Wedding Venue
Together with the sundowner spot that now houses Blueberry Cafe, there was another scenic nook that was regularly frequented on the farm.
An old dilapidated missionary church perched on top of a hill, at the back of Netherwood farm, stood guard over the valley of farms below. It too looked onto the majestic Drakensberg mountains and inspired a sense of serene joy. It didn’t take much convincing to renew this space, along with the large farmhouse (Lidgett’s Grant Lodge) around the corner, and share the love in the form of wedding celebrations.
All that was missing was a reception venue. This we built from scratch to function specifically for wedding parties.
Within walking distance of both the chapel and Lidgett’s Grant lodge, Netherwood Wedding Venue was designed to be contemporary and neutral - to allow nature to flow indoors through the surrounding glass doors and windows. It captures the essence of a farm wedding in a modern, minimal style.
Netherwood
Self-Catering Cottages
Escape the city life and extend your Midlands visit with a weekend stay at one of our self-catering farm cottages. Cosy, simple and comfy - our cottages will rejuvenate the tired soul. This cluster of accommodation is original farm housing that has been renovated to retain this authentic country feel. All the cottages are a short drive (or brisk walk) from Blueberry Cafe, Happy Days and Fork ‘n Cleaver, so if self-catering isn’t for you, you can join us at the top of the hill for your meals..
Netherwood Stud Farm
The founding father of Netherwood estate is Netherwood Stud Farm. This is where it all began. With sires, studs, champion cows and calves, it started as a humble, small scale Angus breeding farm. It has since grown to a vast stud and free-range beef farm, incorporating an annual Angus bull sale that attracts prestigious breeders and farmers from across South Africa. Under superior guidance, the Netherwood line has been refined and established as award-winning stud in Red angus.
Keeping these champion studs and cows company are an array of other cattle and animals: wagyu, longhorn, nguni, black angus, a herd of Alpaca (who often visit the fields around Blueberry Hill), a dazzle of zebras, a brace of bucks and enough bird life to keep the most avid of bird watchers rapt for an entire weekend.