Fort Amiel

Fort Amiel, Newcastle

Photo © Steven Herbert

Fort Amiel is a reconstruction of a spacious fort on the outskirts of Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. The fort was originally built in 1876 by the 80th Staffordshire Volunteers under the command of Major Charles Amiel, after whom the fort was named.

The fort sits on a low hill and has good views over the surrounding countryside including over the spot that was used as a wagon drift across the Ncandu River.

The fort was mainly used for treating wounded soldiers. The British King’s Own Royal Regiment were stationed at Fort Amiel during the First Boer War.

There are a number of buildings, exhibits and memorials at Fort Amiel. One of the most interesting is the reconstruction of the cookhouse.

Some publications spell the name as Ameil and not Amiel.

Was Fort Amiel worth visiting?

Lookout post

Photo © Steven Herbert

Memorial to those who lost their lives in the vicinity

Photo © Steven Herbert

Officers room inside the museum

Photo © Steven Herbert

Display inside the kitchen

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

For more info: Museum Explorer

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