Our Story

In 1998 Raymond and Lynette Heron saw the opportunity to restore this significant place in history. They set about a plan, which was to see the original homestead (occupied during the Anglo Boer War by the Spearman family) become a living monument, for those who fought a battle for freedom.

Spion Kop Lodge is situated on Woodlands Farm, was owned by Mrs George Spearman, at the turn of the century 1899 – 1900. The homestead is referred to in the History Books as Spearman’s Hill.  It was seconded by General Sir Redvers Buller , Commander -in Chief , of the British Forces in South Africa , with  23 000 troops under his command. Mount Alice, on the farm, became Buller’s headquarters during the Upper Tugela Campaign, to relieve the besieged town of Ladysmith.  During the campaign a 23 year old Journalist, by the name of Winston Churchill, spent much of his time on Spearman’s Farm with General Buller.

The Battle of Spionkop was the scene of one of the bloodiest and perhaps, most futile battles fought during the South African War of 1899-1902.This theatre of war, was to bring together three significant, and influential characters from the chapters of modern history, namely, Winston Churchill, a 23 year old war correspondent, Louis Botha who was to become the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa in 1910, and a London qualified lawyer, Mahatma Gandhi, who was a stretcher bearer with the volunteer Ambulance Core. One end of the Enfield Football Stadium is known as the "KOP ", in honour of the Liverpool soldiers who lost their lives on Spion Kop.

Raymond and Alastair bring these battles alive with their amazing tours.