Although at a fairy high altitude (1335 meters above sea level), this area has been settled since Stone Age times, with evidence of hunting camps and Stone Age tools having been found. In 1818 the Lala Clan were swept away by Shaka’s armies in a bloody battle at the foot of “Loskop Hill” which is the stand alone hill that can be observed from the dining room – slightly to the left of the swimming pool.

The Original old stone house is thought to have been built in the late 1830’s or early 1840’s, however the roof structure does suggest that it was built a little later in the mid 1850’s by a Mr.Stephens. Known as “Stephens Post” it was one of the original posting houses on the route into the interior, which was an important military highway during the Zulu and Anglo-Boer wars serving the head quarters in Pietermaritzburg and the garrisons of Ladysmith. It was a welcome haven after the steep pull from Howick up the hill known as “Satani”, the going was rough and stony and often in thick mist.

 At a later stage this became the main road to Johannesburg before being bypassed by the present N3. In 1900 “Stephens Post” became “Rommelkop” when the property changed hands to a Mr. Buchanan a Scottish immigrant who was a blacksmith by trade and wasted no time in starting up a smithy’s forge on the property (this is now the conference room). Today “Rommelkop” is the name of the highest spot to the Southside of the property.

“Rommelkop” passed out of Buchanan hands in 1928 and was bought by a Mr. Nel who for some years ran it as a dairy before being sold to a Mr Hofman who changed it’s name to “Veehof”. Mr. Hofman never lived on the property leaving the farm in the hands of a series of unscrupulous managers who let the house and outbuilding fall into a sad state of disrepair. Deciding that “Veehof” had become a liability Mr. Hofman arranged to have the 1500 acres of land subdivided into 250-280 acre farms.

One of these 250-acre plots was bought by James & Sally McCall in 1971 and since the plot was described as remainder Halliwell and included the original homestead it became known as “Old Halliwell”. Renovations, conversions and new building projects took place, tractor sheds, stables, garage, workshops, dairy & Laundry where built – these outbuildings have since been converted into luxury accommodation.

The main building remained a private house, and was lovingly reconstructed using suitable materials, the main arched doorway at the entrance came from an old Maritburg hotel, incorporating the original old wooden doors from the “Stephens Post” pub. The old iron lock of the door remains in place with its brass escutcheon plate, bearing the Royal coat of arms and the letters “W.R.”. This dates the escutcheon plate in the reign of William IV, who came to the throne in 1834 and was succeeded by Queen Victoria in 1837. The staircase came from the old Blackhurst family home in Ridge Road, Durban that had come under the demolisher’s hammer and is a fine example of bygone craftsmanship.

In 1988 “Old Halliwell” was bought by Nick & Gill Barstow who set about turning this grand country home into an up market country inn, hence “Old Halliwell Country Inn” was born.

The Barstows sold in November 1999 and the present owners bought Old Halliwell in April 2003.