'''Ladysmith''' is a city in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains.

Understand

History

The Anglo Boer War dominates recorded history in this area. On October 30, 1899 (''Mournful Monday''), Boer forces started a siege on the town after British troops retreated there following their defeat at the Battle of Modderstroom. The siege lasted 118 days before British reinforcements arrived and were able to put an end to it.

Sir Winston Churchill gives a good account of the siege (as well as the Anglo Boer War in general) in his book ''' London to Ladysmith via Pretoria'''.

Get in

By car

Follow the '''N11''' from the '''N3''' for about 20km.

By air

Get around

See

  • Castor and Pollux. n front of the Town Hall. Twin British Howitzers used to defend the town during the Anglo Boer war.
  • MOTH Museum. 27 (0)36 637-3762. 0AM to 2PM.
  • Siege Museum. ext to the Town Hall. pen 9AM to 4PM weekdays and 9AM to 1PM on Saturdays. 27 (0)36 637-2992. nfo@ladysmith.co.za. ttp://www.ladysmith.co.za.
  • Soofie Mosque. ree. pen for visitors from 1pm to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm. A beautiful mosque that has been declared a National Monument.
  • Statue of Ghandi. ord Vishnu Temple. 27 (0)36 637-7777. Mohandas Ghandi was a stretcher bearer after the Siege of Ladysmith and during the Battle of Spioenkop.
  • Wagon Hill/Platrand Monument and Museum. agon Hill/Platrand Battlefield. 27 (0)36 637-2992. 27 (0)36 637-2992. nfo@ladysmith.co.za. pen 7am to 5pm. 6 per person. A monument and museum in memory of those who died during the Anglo Boer War

    Do

  • Spioenkop. 0km outside Ladysmith. ollow the '''N11'' towards the '''N3''', then follow the '''R616''' towards Bergville, road signage will indicate Spioenkop from here. Site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Anglo Boer War, mainly comprising British troops from the Lancashire Brigade. Winston Churchill, working as a war correspondent wrote, ''Many of the wounds were of a horrible nature...''. There are hiking trails through the complete battlefield (''a map is available from the attendant''), but be prepared for quite a walk; turn of the century battles covered quite a large area.

    Buy

  • Ladysmith Black-Mambazo. Get their CD. CNA, Game or any of the music stores in town will stock one.

    Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

  • Idwala Lodge. ocated just outside town on the N11 towards Dundee. 27 (0)78 803-5545. nfo@idwalalodge.co.za. ttp://www.idwalalodge.co.za/.
  • Platrand Lodge. ourie's Kraal Farm, next to the Ladysmith airfield. ollow the N11 to Ladysmith airfield and follow the signs. 27 (0)36 631-0204. nfo@platrandlodge.co.za. 27 (0)36 637-9612. ttp://www.platrandlodge.co.za/. rom R600 for a double.
  • Royal Hotel. 40 Murchison Street. 27 (0)36 637-2176. ttp://www.royalhotel.co.za. rom 620 for a double Bed and Breakfast.

    Get out

  • The Royal Natal National Park is an hour's drive away.
  • Spioenkop Nature Reserve and dam
  • Cathedral Peak and Champagne Castle in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park