Waterford Manor's Location in Rosetta, Between Mooi River and Nottingham Road
Rosetta village
Rosetta is a small village of just over 500 people, known for its country hospitality rather than its size. It sits in what locals call the Snow Belt, and it's a popular spot for snow-watchers when winter cold fronts move through the Midlands. Reaching Rosetta doesn't require any dirt road driving. The R103 is tarred the whole way, which isn't the case for every property along the Midlands Meander.
Cheese, Wine, and Crafts Nearby
The Wine Cellar sits right on our doorstep, with a genuinely substantial wine collection for a village this size. A short drive away is the Marrakesh Cheese Farm, where a cheesemaker talks you through a tasting of their range and you can book a cheese-making experience for yourself. The Ugly Duckling craft and curio shop is also close by, and further along the Midlands Meander is The Junction, a small hub of crafts, curio shops, and eateries. Piggly Wiggly Farm is another Midlands Meander favourite, offering epic karting, chocolate making and candle making workshops for a proper activity day out.
Fishing and the Outdoors
Bass fishing on the Mooi River is a popular pastime. The Kamberg Road leads to Kamberg Nature Reserve and Rock Art Centre (San rock art at Game Pass Shelter), then Highmoor and Giant's Castle. Trout fishing in the Highmoor dams is available year-round.
Where to eat
The Junction combines crafts, curio shops, and small eateries, including a South African cuisine restaurant. Bierfassl, an Austrian and German pub and restaurant near Nottingham Road, has been serving the Midlands since 1999 and is well known for its Eisbein, served in three different sizes, alongside a strong trout dish and a wide selection of local and international beers. One of our regular recommendations: my husband always orders the Eisbein there, and I go for the trout with a side salad. Rawdons and Brahman Hills both have their own restaurants nearby as well, so there's a genuine range of dining options within a short drive of Waterford Manor, from pub food to something more formal.
Mooi River, 10 km
About 10 km from Waterford Manor, Mooi River sits on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban. Mooi is Afrikaans for beautiful, and the town takes its name from the Voortrekkers who settled here and described the river as such. Mooi River is also seeing new investment in the years ahead, including a dry port reported to be worth around R10 billion, which is bringing more long-stay visitors to the wider area, including guests staying with us.