Norton

Norton is a commuter town roughly 40 km west of Harare, on the main road and railway line linking Harare and Bulawayo, in Mashonaland West. It began in 1914 as a railway siding and was named after the Norton family, farmers in the area since the 1890s. It grew into an industrial centre thanks to nearby water and power supply — a national-grid intake point and the Lake Chivero and Darwendale dams — and from the 1960s hosted a pulp and paper mill, a brewery, and other factories. Today it functions largely as a dormitory town for Harare. Norton Dam, near the town, is a local spot for fishing and picnics; Lake Chivero and the larger Darwendale Dam are also nearby.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Harare (HRE, 40 km east, 40 minutes).

By Train

Norton sits on the Harare–Bulawayo railway line.

By Car / Road

Norton is roughly 40 km west of Harare on the main Harare–Bulawayo road.

• Norton Dam: A local dam popular for fishing and picnics.

• Darwendale Dam and Lake Chivero, both nearby, are larger reservoirs serving greater Harare.

• Fishing and picnicking at Norton Dam.

• Harare (40 km east, 40 minutes) — the capital.
• Chinhoyi (80 km west, 1 hour) — provincial capital and Chinhoyi Caves.
• Chegutu (60 km south-west, 45 minutes) — mining town.