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Matjiesfontein is home to the Lord Milner Hotel, the Laird's Arms Pub, two museums, a coffee shop and a gift shop. The ambiance of this tiny hamlet is much like a colonial outpost, so a visit here transports one back around 120 years.
The Matjiesfontein Transport Museum is right on the edge of the village and features a collection of vintage cars from the 1930-1960s era - among them you’ll find Chevys, Dodges and a Jaguar MK8. The collection includes two Royal Daimlers from King George VI’s 1947 tour of South Africa, which he undertook accompanied by Princesses Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret. There are also antique bicycles in all styles, an old London bus as well as a steam train and carriages, which you can explore inside.
The Marie Rawdon Museum displays a collection of Victoriana relics. Based inside the train station, the contents of this double-storey museum were originally curated by avid collector/hotelier David Rawdon. Exhibitions include everything from personal and household items to antique war souvenirs. Eclectic items range from dresses that belonged to Emma Logan, to penny-farthing bicycles and royal memorabilia.
One can also stumble across dentistry and surgery equipment, personal letters, portraits, toys; and even tableau scenes of a barber’s shop and a fully-stocked apothecary with shelves lined by glass jars filled with elixirs and potions.
