Magersfontein Battlefield Museum
Why Kimberley Matters
Over the years, we have noticed that many of our guests—whether visiting Kimberley for business or leisure—have wondered why this remarkable city has played such an important role in South Africa's history over the past 160 years.
These pages invite you on a coffee-table journey through Kimberley's past, from the discovery of the Eureka Diamond in 1867 and the Great Diamond Rush, through wars, political change and the rise of the world's diamond industry, to the city we know today. They are not intended to be an academic history, but rather an enjoyable introduction to the people, places and events that shaped Kimberley.
So, make yourself comfortable, pour a cappuccino or a cup of chai, and enjoy exploring the remarkable story of one of South Africa's most fascinating cities.
Visitor viewing platform at Magersfontein.
The Battle for Magersfontein
Few battlefields in South Africa remain as well preserved as Magersfontein. Here, on 11 December 1899, one of the defining battles of the Anglo-Boer War changed the course of the campaign to relieve the besieged town of Kimberley.
The battlefield lies just south of Kimberley, where Boer commandos under Generals Piet Cronjé and Koos de la Rey prepared an ingenious defensive position. Expecting the British to attack the surrounding hills, they concealed their trenches at the foot of the kopjes instead. When the British Highland Brigade advanced before dawn, they walked into devastating rifle fire at close range.
Visitor Information
Location: 45 km via the N12 and Modder River (the last 10km is on a well-managed gravel road).
Duration: 1 hour each way to get there, 2–3 hours for the battlefield museum. Allow an additional 30 minutes if visiting the Modder River Blockhouse.
Contact: 053 833 7115
Extras: Why not combine this with a quick visit to the Honoured Dead Memorial?
Worst British Defeat
The result was one of Britain's worst defeats of the war and formed part of the infamous "Black Week" of December 1899. More than 200 British soldiers were killed and many more wounded. Among the hardest hit was Scotland's famous Highland Brigade, whose losses are commemorated today by the striking Highland Brigade Memorial overlooking the battlefield.
Visitors can explore the museum before driving through the battlefield with an experienced guide or on a self-guided tour. The museum's displays, maps and audio-visual presentation explain both the military strategy and the human stories behind the battle. Outside, preserved Boer trenches, memorials and graves remain remarkably intact, allowing visitors to appreciate how the landscape itself shaped the outcome.
Standing on the ridge beside the Highland Brigade Memorial, it is easy to understand why Magersfontein remains one of South Africa's most significant military heritage sites. The quiet veld today contrasts sharply with the violence of that December morning over 125 years ago.
The Boer trenches are still visible at the bottom of the kopje.
The Highlanders Memorial at the top of the kopje.
The animosity that the troops on the ground felt towards their leadership is captured in this contemporary poem by a soldier of the Black Watch (Private Smith, December 1899):
Such was the day for our regiment,
Dread the revenge we will take.
Dearly we paid for the blunder
A drawing-room General's mistake.
Why weren't we told of the trenches?
Why weren't we told of the wire?
Why were we marched up in column,
May Tommy Atkins enquire…
Whether your interest is military history, genealogy, Scottish history or the story of Kimberley's famous siege, Magersfontein offers one of the country's most moving battlefield experiences.
Modder River Blockhouse
Only a short drive from Magersfontein stands one of the best-preserved British blockhouses of the Anglo-Boer War. Located beside the Modder River bridge, the blockhouse formed part of the chain of fortified positions built to protect the vital railway line supplying British forces. It also overlooks the site of the Battle of Modder River (28 November 1899), where Boer forces under Generals Cronjé and De la Rey delayed Lord Methuen's advance towards Kimberley.
The original railway bridge was destroyed during the fighting and later rebuilt under the protection of the blockhouse. Today, the site provides an excellent opportunity to appreciate the strategic importance of the railway in the campaign to relieve Kimberley.
Why Visit?
A visit to Magersfontein is about far more than military history. The battlefield helps explain why Kimberley became one of the most contested places in southern Africa. Together with the Big Hole, the Honoured Dead Memorial, and the city's many siege-related sites, it tells the story of how diamonds transformed not only Kimberley but also the history of South Africa.
Continue Exploring Kimberley
Whether your interests lie in history, culture, dining, shopping, entertainment, or simply discovering somewhere new, we hope these guides help you make the most of your time in Kimberley. If you're planning a visit to the City that Sparkles, Solomon Edwardian Guest House offers elegant accommodation in the historic suburb of Beaconsfield. Ideally situated for business and leisure travellers alike, The Solomon provides a comfortable base from which to explore.