Yellowwood Café and Yellowwood Country Estate are situated on the Farm Fairfell. The homestead on Fairfell is an historic monument and was built in 1872. Sir George Sutton owned vast tracks of land in the Karkloof and built this home as his primary residence. In 1903 he became the 5th Prime Minister of Natal during the British occupation of Natal. He was also the person who introduced wattle to Natal and shipped the first ten ton load of bark for the purpose of tanning, to London in 1887.

The home was constructed in two main stages. The additions in 1903 included the room with a bay window surrounded by verandahs to the western side. This room is now the main dining room but was then used as an office cum study for the new prime minister. On the eastern end a kitchen and bathroom were added. The house took on a rather random quality. Some of the interesting features of this home are the fact that the stone used to construct the home was quarried at the bottom of the property on the edge of the gorge. This stone was unplastered and certainly adds to the character of the place today. The yellowwood that features quite predominantly in the house was obtained from the Karkloof indigenous forest. The present day main dining room features a vaulted ceiling which is certainly a fine example of the period.

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