Wembley, Pietermaritzburg

Wembley one of the highly sought after suburbs of Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of KwaZulu Natal. Lying in the Msunduzi River valley at the base of the escarpment Pietermaritzburg is an attractive leafy town with a rich history and sets the stage for a number of well-known sporting events: the Comrades Marathon (also known as The Ultimate Human Race), Duzi Canoe Marathon and the Midmar Mile.

Climate in the Pietermaritzburg

The climate in Pietermaritzburg is warm and temperate with high annual rainfall of ±966mm per annum and high temperatures averaging 26°C and lower temperatures from 11°C. Summer months are usually hot with frequent rainfall whereas winter months are dry, cool, and light frosts not uncommon.

Distance to Locations

Wembley offers quick access to the N3 and to the City Centre.

• To Midmar Dam (via N3) - 32 minutes / 29.4km
• To Howick Falls (via N3) - 20 minutes / 23.4km
• To Oribi Airport (Pietermaritzburg local airport - regional only) - 20 minutes / 13.6km
• To Durban (via N3) - 1hr 5 minutes / 83.4 km
• To King Shaka International Airport (Durban, via N3) - 1hr 22 minutes / 109.4 km

Schools in Wembley  

Wembley is conveniently located for a variety of schools suitable for all ages. There is a selection of schools for children of all ages. Local schools include Little Cottage Montessori, The Montessori Nest, Athlone Primary School, Carter High School, Clarendon Primary, Cordwalles Prep School and The Wykeham Collegiate. Still within Pietermaritzburg and with an easy drive are excellent schools including Maritzburg College, Merchiston, St Johns DSG and St Charles to name a few.

Medical & Health Facilities

Wembley residents have access to the many medical facilities and hospitals located in the area and nearby. St Catherine's Life Path, a mental care hospital, and Grey's Provincial Hospital are a short distance in neighbouring suburbs. The private hospitals of St Annes, MediClinic and Midlands Specialist Hospital can be found in Pietermaritzburg, whilst Life Hilton Medical Centre is a couple of minutes away in Hilton. Various private practices including physiotherapists, Chiropractors, and dentists, to name a few, can also be found within the Wembley area.

Restaurants

At Athlone Circle one finds the enjoyable restaurants of Fire & Vine, Elephant & Co and Mozambik along with the immensely popular CoffeeBox drive-through. In neighbouring Montrose is Cascades Lifestyle Centre home to the popular Olive & Oil, Atasca, CoffeeBerry and Woolies Café as well as Kauai and a quick stop Krispy Kreme located in the Checkers supermarket. Just a few minutes further is the popular Hedgehog Bar and Restaurant, an authentic English Pub situated on Town Bush Rd - the perfect place to enjoy an ice-cold draught, and a plate of tasty ribs.

Shopping in the Wembley area

Athlone Circle is conveniently located for Wembley residents and is popular for its easy access location and variety of shops and restaurants. Many Wembley residents make use of the Cascades Lifestyle Centre with its open-air restaurants, boutique shops, well-known big brands and popular outdoor shops, or Liberty Midlands Mall where all the major retailers and assortment of eateries can be found.

Special Attractions close to Wembley

Pietermaritzburg is a lush area with farmlands, green rolling hills, streams, rivers and waterfalls and indigenous forest areas. A fabulous place to live if you love the outdoors and have a spirit for adventure.

Golf enthusiasts can find the Victoria Country Club  which is only 6 minutes (3.7 km) away from Wembley. Locals and visitors can enjoy this world class golf course in peaceful and scenic surroundings. Golfers can enjoy an abundance of birdlife including Crowned Eagles and African Goshawks as well as seeing buck on the fairways gently nibbling at the "rough." The club also has squash courts, tennis and padel courts, a swimming pool and the restaurant is popular with locals looking for a quick bite to eat in beautiful surrounds (the summer sunsets are quite beautiful from the veranda). 

Howick Falls, the second tallest waterfall in South Africa, is 20 minutes away with a wonderful viewing platform to take in the view of the falls. Midmar Dam is 34 minutes and Albert Falls Dam is 52 minutes from Montrose both being popular weekend and holiday spots perfect for water sports, fishing, and camping.

One of Pietermaritzburg's older suburbs, the green belt of Wembley has lovely family homes and freestanding houses as part of its portfolio of properties.