Set amidst the verdant backdrop of the Watawala Estate, Craig Appin is a glorious early nineteenth century granite planter’s bungalow situated on the outskirts of Dickoya, near Hatton. Although the bungalow’s period features are redolent of yesteryear, it has been brought into the twenty-first century with recent renovations including the recarpeting of rooms, the remodelling of bathrooms and the plush reproduction of colonial fittings and furnishings that comfortably complement the past. Black and white photographs of Ceylon tea estate workers further infuse a sense of history, contrasting with the bungalow’s own striking panoramic views of the lush tea plantations as they stand today. The bungalow is home to five cosy garden-view bedrooms and a pair of living rooms decked out with squashy sofas, luxuriant drapes and intricate chandeliers. Carpets and rugs are snug underfoot, and the soft glow of lamps evokes a warm ambiance at night. The dining room is a fittingly formal place for enjoying hearty Hill Country cuisine – English breakfasts, Sri Lankan lunches and three-course set dinners are the norm – although the food seems to taste even better when the tables are placed outside in the fresh mountain air. The bungalow stands at an elevation of around 1,200m, so you can expect warm sunny days, and comfortably cool nights. Craig Appin is staffed by a small team, including a chef to cater to all of your culinary requirements. Rates include breakfast with all other meals priced per person per meal. French windows from the bungalow look out across the driveway onto a lush garden that tumbles colourfully down the small hill atop which the bungalow privately stands. Swings on the lawn are a hit with the kids, and the potential for delving into the rich tapestry of the enveloping countryside is endless, making this bungalow an ideal retreat for family groups who enjoy the great outdoors. Attractions in the area include tea factories, spice gardens, old churches and reservoirs, and the sacred mountain of Adam’s Peak – a place of pilgrimage – is only an hour’s drive away.

Craig Appin Bungalow sits within a beautifully manicured garden on the outskirts of the small town of Dickoya, near Hatton, in Sri Lanka’s southwestern Hill Country. From its elevated position, the bungalow boasts glorious views over neighbouring hillocks, all of which are lushly cloaked with verdant tea bushes. Just below the bungalow is the rugby and cricket pitch of the famous Darawala Club, an establishment dating back to the colonial days. Unpaved roads and lanes through the surrounding estates offer plenty of potential for getting out and exploring this gorgeous emerald landscape on foot. The elevation in Dickoya is approximately 1,200m above sea level so although the days are warm and sunny – much like a perfect English summer’s day - the evenings can feel fresh and cool, which is a welcome relief if you’re travelling from the hot and humid coastal areas of the island. The large market town of Hatton is just 5km from the bungalow and here you’ll find a range of banks, pharmacies, fresh produce markets, liquor shops and a branch of the island-wide Cargil’s supermarket chain.

Map (see Google Map)

 

Places of Interest(KMs)
Dickoya	1.6
Dickoya Tea Factory	2.0
Hatton	4.0
Carolina Herbal & Spice Garden	8.0
Warleigh Church	15.0
Adam's Peak	45.0
Nuwara Eliya	49.0
Kandy	74.0
Colombo	130.0
Bandaranaike Intl Airport	137.0

 

About Hatton

About Hill Country
The Hill Country is one of Sri Lanka’s most dramatic regions famed for its soaring peaks, its panoramic views, its salubrious climate, its gushing waterfalls, its rich colonial architecture and its acres and acres of verdant green tea estates.

Once cloaked in thick impenetrable jungle, the Hill Country was opened up by the British colonialists in the nineteenth century who were to first plant coffee, and then clear huge swathes of land to plant the much more successful crop of tea which remains one of the island’s top exports. With an elevation ranging from 850m to 2,500m, the Hill Country is characterised by its climate; cooler and less humid than elsewhere, the region sees plenty of rain but is also bathed in a great deal of sunshine that keeps the spectacular scenery of the area so healthily lush and in bloom.

Piduratangala (2,500m), Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain is located in the hill country however it is the island’s fifth largest peak that is most significant. Unusually venerated by devotees of the island’s four main religions – Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims – Adam’s Peak (2,240m) is a popular pilgrimage spot that’s traditionally climbed in the cooler early hours of the morning to arrive just in time for spectacular spiritual sunrises from its summit.

Walking is a popular pastime throughout the hill country as the climate affords great potential; varied terrains, spectacular vistas, abundant wildlife and refreshing waterfalls are highlights of any exploratory hike in the hills. Traversing the seemingly Scottish landscape of Horton Plains is one of the most rewarding walks for its conclusion at the sheer drop of World’s End.

Whilst roads wriggle their way up and around peaks, the best way to travel in the Hill Country is by train, even if you have nowhere special to go. The railway track, complete with numerous tunnels, bridges and loops is one of the most scenic in the world as it reaches spectacular viewpoints that roads simply cannot.

All of the rooms at Craig Appin open from a long corridor that runs like a spine down the back of the bungalow. There are five bedrooms (two of which share a bathroom) a pair of living rooms and a formal dining room. Furnishings are period reproductions and the bungalow boasts panoramic Hill Country views. The entrance to the bungalow takes you directly into a spacious living room furnished with plush sofas and armchairs sprinkled liberally with cushions. Magazines top a coffee table and on the walls hang nostalgic black and white photographs of Ceylon tea estate workers from days gone by. Wander down the corridor and the dining room is the next room you’ll reach. It features a dresser and tables that can seat up to ten diners. Beyond this is a second cosy lounge furnished with a pair of long black sofas and a flat-screen cable TV. At the far end of this corridor, and indeed the bungalow, is a deep veranda that’s open to the garden and furnished with rattan sofas. Craig Appin offers five double bedrooms and four bathrooms. Each overlooks the tea hills and the pretty garden and is furnished with a king-size bed, a dressing table, a cupboard and floor length drapes. Monochrome bathrooms are fitted with hot water showers. Bedroom 1, closest to the entrance, additionally has a single bed making it a good option for a couple with a young child, whilst bedrooms 2 and 3 are interconnected (but also have their own access) and share a bathroom with tub. Bedrooms 4 and 5 are located opposite the dining room and are closest to the bungalow’s simple kitchen (for staff use only).

 

Bedroom 1 King+Single 8.4m x 4.2m Bedroom 2 King 5.8m x 4.3m Bedroom 3 King 4.9m x 3m Bedroom 4 King 7.4m x 3m Bedroom 5 King 4.9m x 4.3m

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Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bathroom - Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Bedroom 5

Key Amenities

• Internet (WiFi)
• TV (Satellite/Cable)

Other Amenities

• Baby Cot (On Request)
• BBQ
• Bed Linen
• Bicycles
• Car Parking
• DVD Player
• Extra Bed (Roll away/mattress) (Extra)
• Generator
• Hairdryers
• Laundry Service (Extra)
• Main Dining (10 persons)
• Toiletries
• Towels

Villa Staff

• Chef/Cook (All meals)
• Garden/Pool Staff
• Housekeeping (Full time)
• Manager (Restricted hrs)
• Security (Night time only)
• Service Staff
• Shopper