History
Richard Gower Hodson (17) and James Jefferies Hodson (15), sailed from London aboard the “Nile”, in 1850. The brothers secured three plots (60 acres), one of which was on the Mpofana River. They named it "Caversham". James and Richard built the mill between 1852 and 1853 cutting the wheel buckets out of yellowwood and sneezewood sourced from the local bush. It was the first water driven mill to be erected in Natal. In 1888 James bought the iron machinery for the mill workings since the original mill was “about worn out”. The wheel and cogs were of metal while the millstones were made of Scottish granite. The heavy metal wheel, with its slow, ponderous turning and the quality of the millstones, resulted in Caversham ground meal being much sought after. In 1887, a huge veld fire raged down the Balgowan Valley, jumped the Lions River, destroying the settlement at Caversham. Only the church (now Caversham Press) was left standing. The Hodson brothers lost everything except the clothes they were wearing. Richard, son of James, continued to operate the mill until it was closed down in 1935 by the Mealie Control Act. For many years the mill stood abandoned until potter David Walters bought it in 1978. He restored much of the old mill to its former glory and used it as a studio. Potters David Walters and Ian Glenny conceived the idea of the Midlands Meander at Caversham Mill. In 1987 the flooding Lions River destroyed the mill. Heartbroken at the mill being washed away, David sold the property to Dr John Buckle. The mill changed hands again in 1994. Two years later, the owners Peter and Faye Cooper started Caversham Mill Restaurant. In 2001, Mark and Marian Macaskill bought it. Finally in 2004, Terry and Diana Acres, already owners of the neighbouring property, purchased Caversham Mill.
A stroll around the gardens near the Caversham Mill Restaurant will bring you to the ruins of the old Mill.
Location
In the province of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, Caversham Mill is situated on the confluence of the Lions and the Impafana Rivers. Pathways lead along pretty walks to the waters edge, where guests can fish, swim, tube along the river, or simply sit and enjoy nature at its best. The gardens, with their abundance of bird life, and both indigenous and cultivated tree and plant varieties, as well as the outlook over rolling lawns with superb views of the rivers, are simply stunning. Midlands Meander
Caversham Mill is situated in the heart of the Midlands Meander, a 50km arts and craft route offering a large variety of beautiful hand made goods. Shop for gorgeous turned wooden bowls and boards, exquisite beadwork, jewellery and embroidered ware, ceramic pots of every shape and size, glassware and stained glass goods, lavender oils and soaps, leatherware - the list is endless. In the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in South Africa, is the historical Caversham Mill. Caversham Mill Estate comprises the Caversham Mill Restaurant, Manor House and Country Cottages – 4 star graded accommodation in a peaceful country setting overlooking the Lions and Impafana Rivers. Caversham Mill Restaurant is a first class, well-priced establishment offering modern comfort food, individually prepared and served in an idyllic Midlands setting. The menu is á la Carte, and caters for all tastes. Breakfast, lunches and intimate dinners are prepared using fresh, locally produced ingredients. Sit in the restaurant, on the deck, or on the lawns overlooking the tumbling waterfall and the wheel of the old mill (which is in the process of being resotred), and soak in the historic ambience!
Caversham Mill Manor, a four star graded establishment, is a beautiful, old yellowwood and stone house. It has been fully restored and offers three unique and private suites for those who have a taste for accommodation of distinction. Two of the suites are double rooms, each with their own bathroom, and open onto their own deck areas. The third is a family suite, consisting of two bedrooms separated by a bathroom. All suites are serviced on a daily basis.
Caversham Mill Country Cottages offer self-catering accommodation in Victorian-style wood and iron cottages which date from the early 1900’s. The cottages vary in size and sleep between 2 and 6 people depending on the cottage.
Caversham Mill Estate is situated in splendid gardens, with direct access to the river frontage for fly fishing. The Lions River runs in a semicircle around the property and the Impafana River joins it at right angles in the front of the property. Pathways lead along pretty walks to the waters edge, where guests can fish, swim, tube along the river, or simply sit and enjoy nature at its best. | | | | | |
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Diana and Terry Acres
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