Ladysmith

Ladysmith is a city in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains.

History
The Anglo Boer War dominates recorded history in this area. On 30 October 1899 (Mournful Monday), Boer forces started a siege on the town after British troops retreated there following their defeat at the Battle of Modderstroom. The siege lasted 118 days before British reinforcements arrived and were able to put an end to it.

Sir Winston Churchill gives a good account of the siege (and of the Anglo Boer War in general) in his book London to Ladysmith via Pretoria.

By car
Follow the N11 from the N3 for about 20km.

By train
Passenger trains between Johannesburg and Durban calls in Ladysmith.



The Battlefields






Go next

 * The Royal Natal National Park is an hour's drive away.
 * Spioenkop Nature Reserve and dam
 * Cathedral Peak and Champagne Castle in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park