Strathdon Bungalow boasts glorious views, and a flourishing garden bursting with tropical greenery. Rearing up from the bungalow’s front lawn are stands of giant bamboo that frame a striking vista of tea bush-clad mountains split by a deep recessed valley. The bamboo is thought to be as old as the bungalow itself and if you listen closely, you can even hear the whistle as its green tubes sway gently in the wind. Strathdon is located on the outskirts of Hatton, and this evocative 100-year-old ex-planter’s abode sits on its own tea-flanked hillside and until recently would have housed the superintendent of the Strathdon Estate. Recent renovations have brought its comfort levels in line with the present day. If you can tear your eyes away from the giant bamboo towering above the vertiginous valley, the views to the west of the bungalow aren’t bad either. The mountain ridge that rises beyond the valley appears to be split in two, with a railway track whose locomotives traverse the steep mountain paths between Colombo and Hatton en route to the eastern Hill Country running down the centre. Catching sight of these rust red carriages as they shunt their way along the tracks below a spout of smoke is always a treat to watch and it’s this animation that makes Strathdon’s views so special. At night, the lights of village homes illuminate the valley, mimicking the stars in the inky sky above. Strathdon Bungalow is home to four ensuite bedrooms: a pair of triples and a pair of twins. Three of the four bedrooms open onto an elongated living room–hallway, and this convivial set up works particularly well for families and close groups. At one end of this hallway is a TV Lounge, and a separate living room for quieter pursuits leads off to one side. The caretaker of the bungalow is also the cook and he’s been working on the estate for years. His English is good and he will do everything he can to make you feel at home. Attractions in the area include tea factories, spice gardens, old churches and reservoirs, and for the active, the sacred mountain of Adam’s Peak – a place of pilgrimage – is only an hour’s drive away.

Strathdon Bungalow sits within a beautifully manicured garden highlighted by huge stands of giant bamboo on the outskirts of Watawala in the southwest Hill Country. From its elevated position, the bungalow boasts glorious views up the verdant valley towards Hatton, whose mountains are lushly cloaked with tea bushes. 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 Watawala is approximately 1,100m above sea level so although the days are warm and sunny – much like the English summer’s days of yesteryear - the evenings can feel fresh and cool, which is a real relief if you’re escaping from the hot and humid coastal areas of the island. The large market town of Hatton is just 4km 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)
Hatton	4.0
Carolina Spice &Herbal Garden	6.0
Dickoya	7.0
Dickoya Tea Factory	7.5
Warleigh Church	20.0
Adam's Peak	45.0
Nuwara Eliya	52.0
Kandy	66.0
Colombo	125.0
Bandaranaike Intl Airport	132.0

 

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.

Strathdon Bungalow peeps out from behind giant stands of century-old bamboo. Directly in front of the bungalow is a lawn that leads to a ‘breakfast terrace’ where a swing seat and dining table have been placed to take advantage of the panoramic tea estate views. A veranda to one side of the bungalow entrance is also laid with tables for sitting out and taking in the fresh air and stunning scenery. Cross the threshold into this planter’s bungalow and you arrive into an elongated hallway stretching out to your right and left. Three of the four bedrooms lead off directly from this hallway along with a formal living room furnished with sofas and armchairs under a twinkling chandelier. The hallway overlooks the driveway and the valley views beyond, and features clutches of sitting areas, a circular dining table, a cupboard brimming with tea and, to one end, a cosy lounge area with TV and DVD player. Of the four bedrooms, two are triples and two are twins. The triple rooms feature views across the garden to the east, where trains can often be spied traversing the mountainous terrain. Each triple is furnished with a double and a single bed (both with mosquito nets) along with sofas and armchairs, a dressing table, a wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom with bathtub and shower. The twin bedrooms are slightly smaller yet similarly furnished; their windows looking into the hallway rather than directly into the garden. A second passageway leads from the entrance to the back of the house where there’s a formal dining room for up to ten people and a kitchen that’s typically the domain of the staff. One of the triple bedrooms is located back here, off a third passageway that snakes around the dining room.

 

Bedroom 1 Double+Single 8.3m x 5.1m Bedroom 2 Double+Single 8.1m x 5m Bedroom 3 Twin 4.9m x 4.6m Bedroom 4 Twin 5.7m x 3.6m

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Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bathroom - Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Key Amenities

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

Other Amenities

• Baby Cot (On Request)
• BBQ
• Bed Linen
• Bicycles
• Car Parking
• CD Player/Stereo System
• DVD Player
• Extra Bed (Roll away/mattress) (Extra)
• Generator
• Hairdryers
• Laundry Service (Extra)
• Main Dining (12 persons)
• Safe
• Toiletries
• Towels

Villa Staff

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