In 1889, Hugo Nellmapius, the then owner of the farm that lay between Johannesburg and Pretoria, named his farm Irene Estate, after his daughter, Irene. In 1902, John van der Byl purchased the Irene Estate and turned it into a successful dairy farm, as well as creating the Irene Village nearby, which grew into the flourishing leafy suburb it is today. A few kilometres along Nellmapius Drive towards Rietvlei Nature Reserve, you’ll find Cornwall Hill, one of the highest points between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

During the Anglo-Boer war, at the time of the British occupation of Pretoria, the Duke of Cornwall’s light infantry brigade built a rough stone fort at the top of the hill to protect the railway line linking Johannesburg to Pretoria, and thus the hill became known as Cornwall Hill. The memorial now situated at the top of Cornwall Hill was completed in 1946, by David and John van der Byl, in memory of their closest friends who fell while serving with them in the Second World War. The eagle, transported from London, was only placed on the plinth some years later, and unfortunately was damaged during unloading at Cape Town harbour when the container carrying it was dropped. Its right wing was repaired prior to placement, however gravity has caused it to sag over time.

The Monument

This memorial is now a favourite spot for residents to enjoy glorious sunrises or sunsets, and the area surrounding it has been developed into a network of gravel walking paths, an assortment of picnic tables and benches, and a well-maintained braai area for use by residents of the estate. From the top of Cornwall Hill, on a clear day one can view both the Johannesburg city centre to the south, and the Voortrekker Monument to the north. The hill’s proximity to Waterkloof Air Base also offers residents front row seats during military air shows that take place during the course of a normal year, and having this landmark on our doorstep gives Cornwall Hill Country Estate the edge when it comes to unique country living in the middle of a fast-developing urban area.

The River

To the east of Cornwall Hill lies Rietvlei Dam. The dam was built in the 1930’s for the Pretoria City Council in the bed of the Hennops River, which flows westwards past Cornwall Hill where the quarry is situated. The stone used to build Rietvlei Dam and various roads in the area was obtained from this quarry, which is another unique inclusion on Cornwall Hill Estate. It offers residents an exclusive opportunity to hike down rocky pathways to the quarry, and encounter a variety of birds and other wildlife along the way. This fenced-off area surrounding the quarry is monitored closely, for safety and security reasons, and is accessible only by way of an arrangement with the security team. The views from this section of land towards the south give another unique sense of character and dimension to the estate. In fact, Cornwall Hill is one of a kind in so many ways.