Shortly before he became the first prime minister of South Africa – and just after Sir Frederick was knighted for his contributions to the establishment of the Union of South Africa – Louis Botha assisted the Moors in erecting a milking parlour. This became
the foundation of modern Africa's biggest dairy business – National Combined Dairies. Today the original dairy is preserved in the Hartford Chapel.

The old foaling barn, birthplace of many Hartford champions, is now the Sentinel Conference Centre, while George Richards' dairy at Summerhill, another pillar of the National Combined Dairies, has seen the birth of numerous champion racehorses. The Summerhill farmstead hosted the British Royal Family for a period of their 1922 visit and the acceptance of their copy of the Treaty of Vereeniging by the local Boer kommando, took place on its veranda.

The Summerhill Stallion Barn is a showcase for some of the finest thoroughbreds in the southern hemisphere. Most of them are the property of the Maktoums, the First Family of Dubai, who rank among the world's most successful owners of the modern era. The farm’s labour force is predominantly Zulu. History remembers them as revered warriors and gifted stockmen.

"We are keenly aware that we are custodians of one of Africa's most treasured legacies," says Hartford House’s founder Cheryl Goss; the Gosses being the most recent of the three families to have lived at Hartford. "In the process of preserving it, we will leave our own signatures behind for those who follow."

One of four restaurants nationwide “specially selected to participate in the American Express Platinum Fine Dining Programme for 2006”
	KZN’s No 1 fine-dining restaurant (Wine magazine’s Top 100 – 2002-2006)
	Awarded 5 stars in 2002-2006 by Tourism Grading Council
	Fedhasa East Coast award for Best Small Restaurant 2005-2006
	Diners Club Platinum award for it’s wine list: 2003-2005
	Diners Club Gold award for Hartford’s wine list – 2005
	Hartford House was nominated by the travel trade in South Africa and the United Kingdom as one of the 23 Gold Achiever Award Winners in the 2001 AA Travel Guides Accommodation Award Programme alongside the likes of The Mount Nelson, Cape Grace, Mala Mala, Singita etc
	Category Winner of Diners Club Wine List of the Year competition in 2000-2002
	Voted by Fair Lady as the No. 1 Romantic Rendezvous – February 2001
	Featured as a preferred lunch-break destination – Conde Nast House & Garden magazine – December 2000”
	Several times ranked in the top two Fine Country Estates category at Indaba the international travel show
	The restaurant was also featured as one of only four restaurants in the province in A Celebration of South African Food by celebrated author, Gwynn Conlan
	Voted by Femina magazine among the top special wedding destinations countrywide
	Topcar magazine’s preferred destination
	Marie Claire magazine described Hartford as “one of Africa’s most memorable experiences"
	Cosmopolitan magazine rated Hartford House as “South Africa’s leading romantic destination”
	“Hartford is truly the Gem of the Natal Midlands” – Nancy Gardiner, widely acclaimed author of Beautiful Gardens of South Africa
	From there you drive towards Giant’s Castle in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains and 5kms south west is a handsome drive, lined by trees and decorated with potted conifers, it leads to one of the country’s most beautiful houses. You have arrived. Let us return to Summerhill, (the property on which Hartford is located) which is so beautiful that if you had a broodmare you loved, it would be downright cruel to send her anywhere else.” – Sir Clement Freud: Television personality, raconteur, politician, adventurer and freelance journalist for The Times of London and The Sporting Life
	“It was such a great privilege to visit your magnificent farm – you undoubtedly have this country’s most beautiful stud farm “ – Gary Player
	In its only assessment in recent years, American Express counted Hartford House among its Top Five Luxury Lodges in its Southern African Classic Selection
	Awarded one of six five-star winelists in South Africa (Wine magazine)
	Earned an incredible 241/2 out of 25 stars in Wine magazine’s appraisal
	Awarded one of 10 five-star winelists in South Africa (Wine magazine)
	Style magazine voted Hartford Restaurant as one of the 10 best “fireside lunches” – July 2000 The romantic elegance of the Hartford House restaurant is in keeping with its sumptuous fine-dining experience. Besides having one of South Africa’s best cellar collections, Hartford has been recognised by the Federation of Hoteliers of South Africa as KwaZulu-Natal’s top fine-dining venue, as Conde Nast House and Garden magazine’s preferred lunch-break destination and as Style magazine’s top 10 best fireside-lunch locations. The 2005/2006 Fedhasa East Coast Award for Best Small Restaurant and a gold award in the Diners Club Wine List of the Year Awards in 2005 and a platinum award in 2006, as well as inclusion in the American Express Fine Dining Programme are among Hartford's latest accolades. Accolades:     Anne Stevens’ list of Top 10 KwaZulu-Natal restaurants The Fedhasa East Coast Award for Best Small Restaurant Wine magazine’s Top 100 South African restaurants for five consecutive years One of only seven Real Food associates in KZN using only the finest quality, freshest seasonal ingredients, preferably local and wherever practical One of only 10 five-star winelists in South Africa (Wine magazine) Johnnie Walker’s preferred list of private-dining venues What critics say about Master Chef Jacqueline Cameron Anne Stevens – The Mercury “One of the best chefs in the region. A clever selection of dishes, well planned and perfectly executed. Puds are decadent little gems. On all menus vegetarians are given interesting options.” Victor Strugo (Le Gastro Gnome) – The Star “Hartford’s kitchen is in the hands of one of South Africa’s most promising young cooking talents. Born into a family with a food culture, Jackie Cameron knows a diploma is a beginning, not an end. At only 22, she is extremely well read in classical and modern global cuisine. This was fine dining that sparkled with youthful exuberance, served in a gracious yet relaxed setting.”   Derek Taylor – Sunday Tribune “Jackie Cameron at 22, is a phenomenon of talent, virtuosity and damned hard work. I had the pleasure of awarding her one of Fedhasa’s annual restaurant awards. Jackie takes care to balance her meal as an easily managed whole.” We are fully serviced Our award-winning restaurant serves sumptuous breakfasts, lunches and dinners either overlooking the magnificent gardens or in the candle lit dining hall. Traditional Zulu dancers and singers perform on selected evenings Room service available 16 hours a day Laundry and valet service   All major credit cards are accepted Fully equipped mini-conference facility The historic chapel provides for weddings, baptisms and memorial services Personalized stud tour of Summerhill; SA’s leading thoroughbred farm, includes the stallions of the Rulers of Dubai Personal, accompanied tours into the surrounding mountain, game and nature reserves by Hartford's resident guide Horse riding on expansive bridle paths and race tracks Fly fishing   Tennis Wellness Centre offers a range of massages, therapeutic treatments and sauna. Overlooks the pool Swimming pool Historic gardens     Walks on the extensive game conservancy; several rare wild animal and bird species inhabit the estate Helicopter landing facilities Airport transfers (Durban International and Oribi Airport) Renowned for its fifteen incomparably-styled luxury suites and with under-floor heating, heated towel rails and fireplaces. All suites are decorated with a fusion of colour, style and texture. They are all equipped with a telephone, TV (with M-Net and satellite channels) and a mini-bar. HARTFORD SUITE - Suite 1 Once the home of the last prime minister of the Colony of Natal, this is the main superior suite in the manor. Tasteful entrance hall, large bedroom with fireplace, dressing room, two bathrooms – one with a marble bath, the other with a shower. Views of Hartford’s inspirational gardens from the bedroom and bathroom bay windows. COURTYARD SUITE - Suite 3 This suite is situated next to the main suite in the manor and offers a double bed, with bathroom en-suite – no shower. Double doors lead out onto a courtyard. MANOR SUITE - Suite 4 Twin-bedded, large, luxurious suite with fireplace, situated in the manor. Individually decorated. En-suite, spacious bathroom, with a bath and shower. Often booked months in advance – some people’s favourite. Overlooks the rose garden. VERANDAH DOUBLE SUITES - Suites 5 & 8 Large luxury bedrooms with king-sized beds, lounge area and generous open-plan mosaiced bathrooms. Corner baths and showers – under-floor heating. Individually decorated, stylish ambiance and unique character. Views of the rose garden. VERANDAH TWIN SUITES - Suites 6 & 7 Large luxury individually decorated bedrooms with two three-quarter beds, spacious open-plan mosaiced bathrooms and under-floor heating throughout. Fun-lovers have a preference for the Verandah Suites.     GARDEN SUITES - Suites 9 & 10 These suites are situated in award-winning gardens. Decorated with silks from India, they have a colonial feel. Large superior bedrooms with king-sized beds. Lounge areas with fireplaces and under-floor heating. En-suite bathrooms and separate toilets. This is real style. POOL SUITES - Suites 11 & 12  Secluded in the gardens in close proximity to the swimming pool, sauna and wellness centre. Views of trout fishing lake. Large superior bedrooms with king-sized beds, Moroccan carpets and Indian silks. Lounge areas with fireplaces and en-suite bathrooms with stone floors and decorated with mosaics. UMBULELO SUITE - Suite 13 EZULWINI SUITE - Suite 14 These have been perfectly placed on a picturesque trout lake. They have been built in adobe and stone, one with roof garden and the other with thatch. Both uniquely decorated, and each comprising an entrance hall, en-suite bathroom, fireplace, under-floor heating, wooden deck and private pool. Views of trout lake and surrounding farmlands.   LAKESIDE SUITES - Suites 15 & 16 These two spacious, superior suites are an unusual mix of ethnic fusion and eclectic African styles. Picture windows open onto un-interrupted views of the lake and a section of the farm. Entrance hall, lounge, large double bedroom and bathroom, fireplaces, heated towel rails, under-floor heating, high ceilings and privacy are common to both. One has a copper bath and a warm, rich ambience while the other has a romantic twin-bath and a modern mood. Both have a shower.