Skip to main content
PubKwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Nottingham Road Hotel

Midlands pub — Charlotte the barmaid still serves from beyond.

Nottingham Road Hotel — primary photo

History & haunting lore

The Nottingham Road Hotel, affectionately known as Notties, is a historic country hotel and pub in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, with origins reaching back to the mid-nineteenth century. Set along the scenic Midlands Meander, it grew from a coaching and railway-era stop into a characterful establishment, and its older sections retain the atmosphere of a traditional colonial-era country inn. Over generations it has served travellers crossing the rolling Midlands countryside between Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg foothills.

The hotel is well known locally for the legend of "Charlotte", a gentle resident ghost said to favour Room 10, whom staff and guests have described as tidying belongings, moving flowers or straightening bedding. The stories of her origins vary and are firmly a matter of local folklore and anecdote rather than verified fact; the tales are recounted with affection rather than fear.

Beyond the ghostly reputation, the hotel's real appeal lies in its longevity and rural charm. As a long-running country pub and hotel, it forms part of the heritage and hospitality tradition of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and a convenient base for exploring the surrounding region.

Current site status

The Nottingham Road Hotel is a working country hotel, restaurant and pub, open to the public and offering overnight accommodation as well as dining. It welcomes both travellers staying the night and visitors stopping for a meal or drink along the Midlands Meander.

Room bookings, including the room associated with its ghost legend, and restaurant visits can be arranged directly with the hotel, typically requiring a deposit to secure accommodation. Checking the official website for current rates, availability and opening times is recommended before travelling.

  • Nottingham Road Hotel — additional photo 1

Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons and other open references where available.