Best Getaways 
Annandale Country Estate
Annandale Country Estate is set on fourteen hectares of historical farmland adjacent to Michaelhouse School. Overlooking the beautiful Balgowan Valley, this boutique estate invites you to be part of a lasting legacy. Enjoy a quiet country getaway, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This exclusive, tranquil, family-friendly home comprises 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Three of the bedrooms have king-size beds that can convert to twin beds on request, while the fourth bedroom contains a queen-size bed. The country house features a fully equipped kitchen with a large gas stove, an open-plan living area with a fireplace, and stack doors leading onto the sunny verandah, where one can enjoy alfresco dining and make use of the BBQ/braai facilities. Free secure parking is available, along with solar backup power in case of power outages. Annandale Country Estate is also ideally situated close to shops and many Midlands attractions to visit during your stay. The property is also an ideal base for planning day trips to the Maloti-Drakensberg Park. King Shaka International Airport is approximately 154 km away.
Area Info
North of Howick, in the central part of the Midlands Meander that lies between Nottingham Road and Lidgetton, lies Balgowan, one of the most beautiful parts of the country with weather that invariably rolls all four seasons into one, but which gives your visit an element of mystery that makes this part of the world so attractive.
This is the land of green, of soft, wavy hills dominated by pastures and pine forests through which crystal-clear streams meander, interspersed by waterfalls.
Some landmarks are synonymous with the area, such as Michaelhouse School, a reputable boarding school for boys, which boasts wonderful English Gothic-style architecture and a chapel open to the public.
The Glass Studio is another where the creators of glass and wrought-iron works of art produce 80% of the sand-blasted and iron-work items themselves, some to customers' specifications, and include anything from salt and pepper cellars to lampwork, decorated mirrors and clocks.
The iHashi Forest horse trails in Balgowan, along Caversham Road, and the Balgowan Conservancy work together with the Balgowan Conservancy Project to establish a mist belt forest tree trail for those with two feet. The Bosch Hoek Golf Course, rated as one of the top nine-hole golf courses in the country, lies near Balgowan.
