Ladysmith Siege Museum

During South Africa's Anglo Boer War, Ladysmith made world headlines when it was besieged by Boer forces for three months in 1899/1900. The Ladysmith Siege Museum displays artefacts from this historical time and is a popular tourist attraction for those touring the Battlefields Region.

The museum building was originally constructed in 1884 as a marketplace and served as a ration post during the siege. In 1965 the building served both as museum and as library but in 1985 was converted to the sole purpose of museum.

In addition to a fantastic collection of Boer War artefacts, the museum also houses a diorama depicting Ladysmith at the time of the siege It depicts the positions of the guns of the Boers, the names of the geographical features, the positions of the Boer searchlights and the point where the Boers built a dam in an attempt to flood the town. Also indicated is Intombi Camp - a neutral hospital in the no-man's land at the foot of Umbulwane.

Standing outside the museum entrance, are Castor and Pollux, two 6.3" howitzers that served the town well during the siege, including damaging one of the Boer guns. The Bill Mackay Gallery includes glimpses into daily life during the siege.

Guided tours around the Ladysmith Siege Museum are available and there is a curio shop. The Siege Museum is open on weekdays between 08.00 and 16.00 and on Saturdays between 09.00 and 13.00 -- the contact number is //

Local battlefields include: Spioenkop, Vaalkrans, Colenso, Tugela Heights, Elandslaagte, Nicholson's Nek and Wagon Hill.

Accommodation close to Ladysmith Siege Museum ranges from upmarket lodges to rustic self-catering, tented camps:

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Ladysmith Siege Museum