Hogsback visitors now can enjoy an intriguingly different getaway in the mountain retreat: an architect-designed luxury glass chalet called the Lantern.
The Lantern and it neighbour, Diana’s House, are at Fantasia, just off the main road and prove there is more than backpackers, hotels and hippy home stays in this picturesque village.
“The idea came about when my late mom Diana Cotterell wanted to use the brick watertank to accommodate the extended family during holidays,” says its owner, East London businessman Russell Wells.
“Diana’s House is a typical old stone cottage renovated to include all the mod cons while The Lantern is a modern double-story perfect for romantic weekends or honeymoons.”
He said the original idea was for a thatch dwelling, but architect friend Richard Stratford steered the family away – and the result is amazingly artistic yet up-market.
It was built in 2014 and consists of the original brick watertank, clad inside with local timber and with a timber structure supporting the upstairs bedroom and bathroom.
The facade is clad in double-glazed curved glass panels filled with different coloured sand from Transkei, Hogsback and Gauteng mine dumps, reflecting the trees which surround it in an eco-friendly way.
The glass roof means you can fall asleep under the stars while watching the roots of plants growing above – or take a bath in the brass hot tub looking up at the night sky.
They do say people living in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones but there isn’t much to complain about at the Lantern: if the weather is bad, snuggle under furry blankets next to the wood stoves or, if the weather is good, fling open the wide windows and soak up the views across hill and dale.And, if you let the friendly caretakers know a few hours in advance, you also can soak up the views from an open-air hot tub on the doorstep of Diana’s House (as the two Fantasia properties are right next to each other, it is ideal for one family or a group of friends to share both rather than strangers).
We were in a family group and found the three-bedroomed Diana’s House as warm as toast with underfloor heating, electric blankets and log fires to chase away the winter chill.
In fact we were disappointed to miss snow – which is forecast for this weekend – but the locals say living with it is not half as much fun as it is for visitors!
FACT BOX: Find The Lantern or Diana’s House on Air Bnb or book directly with the Deene Birkett, 066-305-8646 who will put you in touch with the onsite property managers. See the Facebook page for Fantasia: The Lantern & Dianas House.
Weekend Post was a guest of Fantasia.
Other-worldly experiences
There is something magical about Hogsback.
Along with so many small country villages in a mystically beautiful setting, it offers not only rustic charm but also a certain spiritual quality.
Perhaps its the crisp mountain air or it could be the knowledge that so many creatives have been inspired by it – JRR Tolkien was said to have based many landscapes in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings on its landmarks.
Here are few not to miss:
Diana Graham’s ecoshrine
This is a must-see for art lovers, as the acclaimed artist still works in her studio overlooking the shrine, which she and her garden assistant built by hand.
If she is there, take the chance to ask her to explain her work to you because there is a lot of thought behind the garden of sinuous sculpture.
Once you have heard her explain how interconnected everything in our world is – from tiny fossils to deep space explored by the Hubble Telescope, you may look at the earth and sky with new eyes.
St Patrick’s on the Hill
This little stone chapel was gutted by fire in 2010 but has been tastefully rebuilt and is still a popular choice for weddings.
We found it unlocked and unattended, and loved the vases of freshly cut hydrangeas.
Bath with a view
Although it must be pretty nippy in winter, there is piping hot water for a rather unusual bathroom at Away With The Fairies, just off the main road in Hogsback.
This festive backpackers lodge, with rooms named after characters from Tolkien, has an outdoor bath with the most spectacular view over the Hogsback mountains.
The bath is only open for use until 4pm and our hosts told us this was for safety as a party-animal had once fallen out and over the cliff after too much tipple in the tub!
Labyrinth at the Edge
The labyrinth at The Edge is said to be one of the longest in the world, stretching more than 1.4km if you walk its full distance.
However, if you are expecting a maze with shrubbery so high you can’t see where you are going – as we had mistakenly believed – this labyrinth may be a disappointment.
Nonetheless, it is worth to walk to the view point.
Walks and trails
For those of a more physical persuasion, there are numerous wonderfully picturesque walks in and around the village.
Pick up a map at the tourism office in town – they can tell you how long each hike is, and guide visitors as to which trails are suitable for your level of fitness, and the time you have to spend.
The 39 Steps waterfall is a short easy walk, for example, which you reach by walking through the arboretum, an outdoor “museum” of trees.
Hogsback parkrun
You can even, if you are so inclined, join the parkrun at Hogsback at 8am on Saturday – there are normally not even 20 runners, the organiser say, and the views are, of course, gorgeous.
Chocolatier
There is even a tiny chocolatier in Hogsback, the aptly named Candy Butler, who makes jewel-like tidbits from imported Belgian chocolate.
One of her chocolate sticks is perfect for dipping into hot milk to make a deliciously warming cup of hot chocolate.Magic spills over on to a full plate of restaurants
For such a tiny place, Hogsback has a surprisingly good collection of restaurants.
Based on the recommendations of our hosts at Fantasia, we tried three, and would gladly to go back to each:

Butterfly Bistro, Main Road, 045-962-1326..