Whistletree Lodge
Hotel accommodation
1267 Whistletree Drive
Pretoria
Gauteng
South Africa
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Whistletree Lodge located in Pretoria, invites you to come and experience the luxury, comfort and unique ambience that they can offer.
Location
Whistletree Lodge is ideally situated in Queenswood, one of the well-established eastern suburbs in Pretoria, capital city of South Africa. In this tranquil area, you are close to embassies, the University, main shopping centres, fine restaurants, monuments and a golf driving range.
Activities
Self Drive Shopping Health/Spa Golf Sport Facility Day Excursions Guest House/ Bed & Breakfast A4 [Silver]
Attractions
Whistletree Lodge tells the story of the love affair between Lt. Brown and Lady Sumnerville. During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1901) the British Army had their stables on this site. Lt. Brown was placed in charge of this outpost and he lived in a cottage on the premises. Not only was he a very capable man, but also very handsome. The general public in Britain heard of the bad treatment of their sons in the military camps. (Bully beef and biscuits) The influential Lord and Lady Sumnerville were commissioned to investigate this state of affairs. It seemed a good idea that Lady Sumnerville should come out to South Africa to gain first-hand experience of the situation and also to inspire the British troops. Lady Sumnerville, a very beautiful lady, was much younger than her husband. She arrived in Pretoria from Cape Town on 18 October 1900. Lt. Brown was assigned to be her escort during her stay in the Transvaal Republic. It was love at first sight! Henceforth they often met secretly in Lt. Brown's cottage. Lady Sumnerville fell pregnant and immediately left for England. To her chagrin the news had leaked out and she received a cold welcome on her arrival. From newspapers of that period we learn that Lady Sumnerville was ostracised by high society and after her discrete divorce from Lord Sumnerville, she lost her title. Lt. Brown appealed to her to instantly return to South Africa and he started making arrangements for their marriage. She booked herself on the ship as Mrs D Brown. Towards the end of the war, the so-called gentleman's war was long over and guerrilla warfare had started. Lt. Brown's stables were attacked. He bravely attempted to defend his outpost, but during the skirmish he was killed. What disastrous news awaited his bride-to-be! Through the aid of Sammy Marks (an influential figure at that time and a personal friend of Paul Kruger, State President of the Zuid-Africhaanse Republiek), both men with whom she was well acquainted, she then bought the site of the Whistletree Lodge and settled in the cottage where she and Lt. Brown had often met. Mrs Brown named her son Richard, after Lt. Brown. She never re-married. She was a keen gardener and studied birds as a hobby. Richard Brown became a famous hunter in Southern Africa. He was particularly fond of visiting the Kalahari region. During one of his many safari's he was killed by a leopard and was apparently buried on the spot where the incident occurred. Mrs Brown soon hereafter, returned to England.
Facilities
Each room is equipped with a telephone and a television (Local Stations and Satellite) and facilities to make tea & coffee. All the bedrooms, each with its own balcony, overlook our beautiful wooded landscape garden with its large variety of bird life. Heated swimming pool Tennis court with floodlights for evening play Sauna Fax, Photostat, and E-Mail facilities at additional cost Laundry service as an optional extra Secure Parking 24-hour security and a night guardsman
Additional Information
We are in close proximity to major attractions and businesses, various embassies, the Union Buildings, the University of Pretoria, main shopping centres, fine restaurants, art galleries and monuments to name but a few. A golf driving range in close proximity ensures easy and quick access for the sports enthusiast. The Health & Racket Gymnasium in Hatflied boasts trained staff and excellent equipment for the must-stay-fit fraternity.
