Excursion Nelson mandela capture site & lunch at granny mouse tour at Durban

Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio

Depart the quayside and drive via Pietermaritzburg to Caversham Road, Lidgetton, where get to visit Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio. Meet the artists as you view the process of throwing clay, sculpting, painting and finally firing of these unique pieces.

The story of Ardmore began in 1985 when Fèe Halsted-Berning lived on the farm Ardmore, in the Champagne Valley under the shadow of the Drakensberg Mountains. Her passion for ceramic art had been honed during her five years at the University of Natal where she studied fine art and then completed a two year advanced diploma in ceramics. Fèe's first student was Bonnie Ntshalintshali, the daughter of a farm employee. Bonnie's natural aptitude for ceramic art soon attracted other members of Bonnie's family who asked if they too could learn from Fèe. This led to the creation of Ardmore, the largest ceramic art studio in South Africa. Bonnie became known as one of South Africa's leading ceramic artists, while Ardmore's exciting diversity of ceramic art has been endorsed by Christie's, London as 'modern collectables'.

Fèe's merging of western ceramics technology with African art is only part of the story of Ardmore. Of even more significance has been her encouragement of their imagination based on nature, Zulu folklore and tradition. Fèe has been described as 'a creator of artists'. As well as giving so much of her artistic ability to her creative team, Fèe has won numerous art awards, including the Standard Bank young Artist's Award which she jointly won in 1990 with Bonnie Ntshalintshali. The large group of sculptors and painters who produce ceramics under the Ardmore label amply demonstrate the diversity of talents that has emerged under Fèe's tuition. As she says: 'The Zulu people have a wonderful sense of color and rhythm and a gift for design and balance, all they needed was opportunity'.

The flamboyant ceramics have captured the attention of collectors worldwide - as a result of the many awards that have been won by the Ardmore artists and particularly as a result of the Christie's exhibition and art auction in London. The studio now consists of over 50 artists who mostly produce the decorative collectable ranges while a few concentrate on fine art. Ardmore provides tools and facilities as well as training and guidance to artists to create these amazing works. The artists draw their creativity from African fauna and flora to create one of-a-kind ceramic artworks.

Lunch at Hartford House

Following your visit to Ardmore, depart for Mooi River where you will find the Award-winning hotel and restaurant situated at Summerhill Stud on the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meander, South Africa. Enjoy a delectable lunch - a festival of the senses, the colours, the scents and the lilting sounds of a place completely at peace with itself.

Howick Falls

After lunch, return towards Durban, stopping over at the magnificent Howick Falls, approximately 100 meters of spectacular display almost in the centre of the picturesque town itself. Known to the Zulu people as KwaNogqaza - Place of the Tall One - the falls were first seen by European adventurers in the early 19th Century, as transport riders and wagon trains pioneered routes inland from the coast. English missionary James Archbell was granted a farm here, but the rapid increase in horse-drawn traffic soon compelled the government of the day to expropriate a portion for the establishment of a village. This settlement was duly named Howick, in tribute to the Northumberland home of then British Colonial Secretary, Earl Grey.

Continue your travels and return to the quayside in the late afternoon.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Ardmore Ceramics, Process of Creating the Unique Ceramic Pieces and Meet with the Artists, Fine Dining Lunch at Hartford House, Howick Falls

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven and natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and ten - twenty steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. The tour sequence may vary.