Located 6000ft above sea level, high up in the foothills of Mt. Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain, is the quaint hill station of Nuwara Eliya. Surrounded by tea plantations, beautiful waterfalls and thick forests covered with mist, it comes as no surprise that Nuwara Eliya holiday bungalows, like the charming The Cottage by Jetwing, are highly sought after by those looking for a much needed getaway from the heat and humidity of the coastal belt.
A stroll through town will take you back in time as you pass colonial buildings that stand as reminders of its British past. The English styled cottages, each with their own little gardens and lush green forest trees that grow in abandon, are just a few of the reasons this town was nicknamed ‘Little England’.
There are several interesting things to do here, from visiting nearby tea plantations, hike through the forest trails or simply sit back and enjoy the cool weather with a traditional English high tea. A popular spot for families is Gregory Lake. The area around the lake features paved walkways and picnic tables near the edge, along with a small snack bar. Visitors can take a fun ride on one of the brightly coloured swan-shaped paddle boats nearby while pony rides along the shore are an ever popular choice for children.
Originally a swamp bog, Gregory Lake was created in 1873 when the British Governor Sir William Gregory ordered a dam to be built across the Thalagala stream. The subsequent lake became a prominent attraction in town and was used as a place for water sports and recreation. You can still hire boats today to take you across Gregory Lake. Gregory Lake does get crowded during April, which is the high season for tourists, both foreign and local. Don’t let that put you off though, the quaint scenery and cool breeze near the lake is a great way to end the day before heading back to your hotel for a hearty meal.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.