explore (or can enjoy croquet or table tennis at the villa). Artists will love the swing seat in the garden overlooking the views.

There are plenty of options for dining, either in the elegant dining room of the main house or outside on one of the verandas. Since the living areas of Ellerton are spread across two buildings, we found there to be plenty of pockets for privacy. We feel that the property would be good for any age, although a few steps here and there might make it a struggle for the elderly. The garden offers lots of space for children to explore, but parents will need to keep an eye on younger ones around the pool.

Ellerton has a staff of nine including a manager, two chefs, a steward, a houseboy and a handful of gardeners. Whilst friendly and helpful, they keep a discreet distance from guests in order to preserve privacy. Meals are from a priced menu (US$30 per head for a three-course dinner, and around US$10 for a light lunch or US$20 for a more substantial two-course meal).

Complimentary drinks, including a wine with dinner, locally produced spirits, soft drinks and fruit juices are served, and coffee and tea are available all day. If guests would like a wider selection of wine or international spirits, they are encouraged to buy these items from Kandy. It is typical for snacks such as soups, sandwiches and salads to be served throughout the day. The Valley House has a small fridge as well as facilities for making tea and coffee. An internal telephone system aids contact with the staff, and a car can be arranged for further exploration to the attractions of the region.

features, though a little sparse. I did quite like the unique decorative lampshades which, alongside the framed family pictures, helped it to feel homely, however much of the furniture – the rattan loungers, the stiff-backed wooden chairs and the benches – were too formal whilst the mattresses in the bedrooms were also a little hard. A few cushions or a soft mattress on the loungers would have made sitting and relaxing much more enjoyable. The bathroom is shared between two of the rooms and although there are very few facilities, there is a TV with DVD player to keep the little ones amused (bringing your own DVDs is essential as there are none provided). The bathroom has been pleasantly upgraded and whilst the kitchen has also been improved it is still quite basic. Although you hardly notice that the house has been split in two, it is a little strange only occupying half of the building but Galkande is generously proportioned for its three bedrooms and has access to the bulk of the grassy lawn. The views of Hunasigiriya are certainly spectacular, though can only be appreciated from the back of the house in an ambalama which felt more like an outhouse than the resting place that is suggested by its name; planks of wood are stacked in the rafters and there’s only a stiff couple of wooden chairs to sit on. There is only one full-time housekeeper here plus a decent cook brought in from a nearby hotel when guests are in residence; meals are priced per person. Neither housekeeper nor cook speak English, which was quite a challenge, however the friendly and amenable owner and his wife both do, and since they live locally they can be called upon at any time.

Kandy. We spent many relaxed hours sitting on the long terrace enjoying the views, catching glimpses of the wildlife and just unwinding in the cool hill climate. Having a roaring log fire during the cooler times of year must be a delight, but for us the most pleasant surprise was the swimming pool – it’s a great size, beautifully bedded into the gardens and so refreshing after a hot walk. Anthony, Rangala House’s owner, lives just around the corner and can be on hand if need be – we do recommend you invite him over as he’s a fabulous host and a mine of information on the area. He can really give a good insight into the local culture and is also pretty handy on the piano. Anthony has a wonderful team around him and the kitchen produces some fabulous food – you really will need those walks to burn off the calories. More homestay than villa but very charming and enjoyable.

The only downside to this mountainous location is that there are no restaurants or shops nearby, but this, conversely, is also the beauty of it! With this in mind, it’s perhaps best to book in for half-board, or even full-board if you don’t intend to do much travelling - it’s definitely the best food you’ll find anywhere for miles!

On our follow-up visit to Rangala, the chef excelled again and we enjoyed a fabulous lunch. The house was well maintained and the bedrooms were looking lovely and cosy. This was our first visit to The Studio, built back in 2011, which enjoys complete independence from the main house although it is right next door. We think it works well for friends travelling together or a family unit, although the ladder leading to the upper sleeping area is unsuitable for small children. With its own TV and DVD player (on request), this room is the most private of the four.

It's impossible not to feel at home in Rosyth Estate House. Husband and wife team Siva and Chandani are delightful hosts and will stop at nothing to ensure that you are comfortable. We thought this cosy house in the hills was charming, and it's been beautifully spruced up with

contemporary takes on colonial furnishings, reflecting of the house's location and reminiscent of its colonial past. Each of the three bedrooms is spacious and is paired with a modern ensuite bathroom featuring very good hot water showers. Cinnamon's bathroom is the biggest and boasts lovely views over the garden and hills.

We were lucky enough to be the first to enjoy the new swimming pool and sun terrace that the British—Sri Lankan owners installed in June 2012. In its lovely rural setting, and fringed by mature mango and jak trees – it's the perfect tonic for relaxing after days out sightseeing. The bijou library is stocked with plenty of DVDs and there's a huge collection of board games that kids of all ages will enjoy.

Due to its intimate size, couples will adore the privacy of the house, and the warm personal attention of Siva and Chandani. Meals (rates are half-board) can be enjoyed inside in the dining room, out on the back veranda or under a full sky of stars from a table on the lawn.

unobtrusively kept the house in order and prepared the most excellent meals for us. Because, breakfast and a three-course set dinner are included in the rate (as well as unlimited coffee, tea and fruit juice) we felt that it represented good value for money for couples and groups alike; especially since the villa rate varies according to the number of people staying. And lunch is only an extra $5 per person. The house itself is contemporary, minimal and although a little colourless, photographs of the owners and their book collection in the lounge did make it feel like a home. We loved the plunge pool. It might be small but it has a great location in the garden; we enjoyed lounging in the Jacuzzi whilst meditating over the mountain views which were at their best at sunset. Although the house doesn’t have internet (this is a place to get away from the world anyway), it does have satellite TV, a good music system, a DVD player and a few board games. There’s a children’s play area on a lower lawn and benches in hidden spots in the garden for reading and relaxing away from everyone else. As there are a lot of steps and slopes we don’t recommend The Weir House for the elderly or disabled (for similar reasons the owners do not deem it suitable for children below six years old). The villa has good eco-credentials: waste is recycled; showers are solar-heated; some of the fresh veg comes from its organic garden, and tap water comes from natural mountain springs.