The original farm house was declared a National Monument in 1981. Built more than 130 years ago and once owned by the famous Author of King Solomon's Mines, Sir Rider Haggard in 1881.

Sir Rider Haggard helped run up the British flag in Pretoria during May 1877. Shortly afterwards he was appointed Master and Registrar of the High Court. In Pretoria, Haggard met Arthur Cochrane and together they built a small cottage, "The Palatial". Haggard and Cochrane resigned from their jobs and bought a small farm, Rooipoint, just outside Newcastle, where they intended to farm ostriches.  The farm house is named Hilldrop, and now hosts the reception, dining and breakfast rooms which are filled with Haggard Memorabilia.

Home cooked dinners with homemade bread are served from Monday to Thursdays and breakfast 7 days a week. Our Honesty Pub and traditional braai's are well known with all business, tourist and regular clientele. We are located within 1km from the new Century Casino, 8km from the Newcastle Golf Club, and 8km from the Ferrum International Swimming Pool.