[category]
[title]
Located beneath towering yellowwood trees in the south of Durban is this ancient setting that feels worlds away from Durban’s busy city life. Coedmore Castle - AKA Durban’s ‘castle lite’ - can be found in the lush Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve, and this once hidden treasure is now getting some well-deserved attention.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba recently visited the historic property as part of a renewed push to unlock hidden heritage sites and expand Durban’s tourism infrastructure. Describing the castle as a ‘hidden gem’, the Mayor believes the site has enormous potential to become a must-visit attraction.
A piece of Europe in Yellowwood Park
Built in 1875 (but completed in 1885) by the Stainbank family, the stone homestead was constructed using rock from the nearby uMhlatuzana River, with the help of Scottish stonemasons. The vision was to create a little slice of Europe in Durban, complete with battlements, a tower and sweeping views over what was once farmland.
Despite its grand, castle-like appearance, Coedmore was always a family home. It remains remarkably intact, with antique furniture, family portraits, silverware, steel-pressed ceilings, wooden panelling and a circular iron staircase leading into the tower.
The Mary Stainbank collection
The castle is also home to the Mary Stainbank Memorial Gallery, located in a restored cow shed near the site of Mary Stainbank’s original garden studio. Mary, daughter of Dering Stainbank, was later recognised as a pioneer of modern sculpture in South Africa. Today, the gallery houses the largest intact body of work by a single sculptor in the country, alongside rotating exhibitions by other artists.
Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve
Surrounding the castle is 253 hectares of coastal forest and grassland, managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. There are 13km of walking trails, a 10km MTB route and picnic spots for lazy afternoons. Visiting the reserve, you can look out for:
- Zebra
- Blue, red and grey duiker
- Bushbuck and reedbuck
- Vervet monkeys
- Mongoose species
- Rock hyrax and bushbaby
- Water monitor lizards
- Over 200 recorded bird species
What you need to know
- Address: 90 Coedmore Avenue, Yellowwood Park, Durban
- Contact: 031 469 8811 | 083 423 0843
- Email: John.Dives@kznwildlife.co.za
- Website: www.kznwildlife.com
From history and art to a natural world waiting to be explored, Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve has it all!
TIME OUT RECOMMENDS:
📍 The best things to do in Durban
😋 The best restaurants in Durban
🏨 The best hotels in Durban
🛏️ Where to stay in Durban