Anilana Craigbank Nuwara Eliya Map

Anilana Craigbank is advantageously sited on a slight rise overlooking Nuwara Eliya, the town’s century-old golf course and the surrounding tree-flecked mountains. Set amongst residential homes and looking down over the lush herb and vegetable garden of the St Andrew’s Hotel, it is private and, despite the murmurs of traffic and schoolyards from town, also very peaceful. Looming up behind the house is Sri Lanka’s highest mountain – Pidurutalagala (2,555m) – whose slopes are enveloped by a misty cloud forest. Guests can explore this beautiful natural area on foot or sit back in the garden and watch the many visiting birds from the comfort of a cushioned armchair. Nuwara Eliya town, famed for its alpine-style homes bordered by English country gardens and carefully moulded vegetable plots, is a five-minute walk down the hill..

Anilana Craigbank Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya, Hill Country, Sri Lanka

Bedrooms : 4       Sleeps : 8

Rate starts at TBA

Our Rating :  7.5

Guest Rating :  ---

An evocative 160-year-old bungalow overlooking Nuwara Eliya town surrounded by a well-maintained garden of clipped lawns, preened hedges and scented roses. With 4 comfortable  bedrooms, open fireplaces, cosy lounges, an elegant dining room and plenty of colonial character, this is a gorgeous holiday home in the hills.

Key Amenities :

Central Market

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Off New Bazaar St, Nuwara Eliya.

This covered alleyway offers an insight (and a chance to buy) into the range of produce grown in the hill country – both familiar and unfamiliar. There’s also a whiffy fish and butchery section.

Clothes Market

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Off New Bazaar St, Nuwara Eliya

Search out branded skiwear, leisurewear (Colombia, Helly Hanson, Quiksilver), fleeces, jackets and jumpers at this collection of stalls. Bargain hard; stalls fiercely compete for custom.

Coco Spa (Hotel Spa)

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : The Tea Factory, Kandapola, Nuwara Eliya   Tel No. : +94522229526

Set in amongst this glorious converted tea factory is Sri Lanka’s highest spa. The setting is stunning and the treatments – carried out by Balinese experts – are wide-ranging and very good.

De Silva Food Centre

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : New Bazaar St, Nuwara Eliya

The best dining spot in this local establishment is upstairs via an enticing bakery with cakes and savoury pastries (great for a snack). There’s an a la carte menu though it’s mainly limited to Sri Lankan and Chinese style cuisine. The lunchtime rice and curry is good.

Grand Indian Restaurant

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Grand Hotel Rd, Nuwara Eliya   Tel No. : +94 52 2222881

Dine on North and South Indian cuisine at this eatery that’s part of The Grand Hotel, a Nuwara Eliya institution. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner; at other times an attached pastry shop soothes simple hunger cravings.

Hakgala Botanical Gardens

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Badulla Rd, Hakgala (10km southeast of town)

Panoramic views down over the velveteen Uva District are a highlight of Peradeniya’s wilder sister where roses, ferns, lilies, camphor, pines, eucalyptus and Monterey cypresses thrive. Bird species adore this natural wonderland and you also might catch a glimpse of elusive bear monkeys.

Hill Club

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Grand Hotel Rd, Nuwara Eliya   Tel No. : +94 52 2222653

The Hill Club offers the best insight into the colonial lifestyle of yesteryear; formal dress is mandatory – men can borrow a jacket from the club’s wardrobe – and you must pay a temporary membership of Rs. 100. White-clothed waiters serve up set lunches, five-course dinners and a selection of a la carte international dishes in atmospheric surroundings. There are also a couple of bars here too.

Horse Riding

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Nuwara Eliya Racecourse

Tired-looking ponies can be seen at the entrance to the racecourse or even around Lake Gregory. If you think the animal looks healthy (some do, some don’t), then hop on board (children) or talk your way into the racecourse itself where you can pay to ride on proper steeds.

Horton Plains National Park

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : B339 to Ohiya.

High altitude grassland (2,100m) featuring large patches of bird and wildlife-filled cloud forest, rushing waterfalls and rivers that are the perfect setting for hiking; trails extend up to 22km. Here you’ll also find World’s End, a sheer escarpment that falls steeply for almost 1km to the plains below; a magnificent sight. Try to get there early to beat the cloud and mists.

Humbugs

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Badulla Rd, Hakgala (close to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens   Tel No. : +94 52 2222709

This rustic roadside café, 10km southeast of Nuwara Eliya, is famous for one thing: strawberries! From their little cafe these growers sell strawberries in jam, in punnets, in milkshakes and most deliciously, in pancakes with whippings of cream.

Jetwing St Andrews

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : 10 St Andrews Drive, Nuwara Eliya   Tel No. : +94 52 2222445

The fine dining Old Course Restaurant, in the town’s best hotel beside the golf course, is an oak-panelled beauty where local and international dishes are served from an open-plan kitchen. There’s a wine cellar here (and an atmospheric bar), and the sommeliers give good advice.

King Prawn

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Hotel Glendower, 5 Grand Hotel Rd, Nuwara Eliya   Tel No. : +94 52 2222501

This good Chinese restaurant boasts a generous menu of tasty chicken, meat, pork, fish, seafood and vegetarian Cantonese-style dishes. The pub-style bar here with lounge is one of Nuwara Eliya’s best; perfect for after dinner drinks.

Labookelie Tea Estate

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Kandy Road, Labookelie, Nuwara Eliya

Standing at an elevation of 2,000m around 20km north of Nuwara Eliya is this tea estate where you can tour the factory, wander the tea gardens and sample a brew from their little café. There’s a shop here too.

Lake Gregory

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Boat Yard, Lake Gregory

Take a pedalo out on the lake for an alternative glimpse at the emerald green tea fields and misty mountains that envelope the town.

Laksala

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Udupusselawa Rd, Nuwara Eliya   Tel No. : +94522222575

Government handicrafts emporium that sells a range of tourist related souvenirs; wood carvings, masks, lacquerware and basketry.

Nuwara Eliya Golf Course

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Nuwara Eliya Town   Tel No. : +94 52 2222835

Winding right through the town and adding a lot to its charm is this colonial golf course, which is scenically landscaped with pines, eucalyptus and cypresses. Rounds include green fees, club hire, caddy and balls, and cost from US$65 on weekdays and $70 at weekends.

Sita Aman Temple

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Badulla Rd, Nuwara Eliya

Just before you reach Hakgala on the Badulla Road to the southeast of town, you find this brightly coloured statue-laden Hindu temple dedicated to Sita. Watch out for the red macaque monkeys.

The Grand Hotel

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Grand Hotel Rd, Nuwara Eliya   Tel No. : +94522222881

Overlooking the hotel’s gardens on the ground floor, this big restaurant serves up both eastern and western cuisine, although British style dishes are most typical. The hotel also has a traditional bar and a billiards room.

The Tea Factory

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Kandapola, Nuwara Eliya   Tel No. : +94 52 2229600

Created out of the old Hethersett Estate Tea Factory, this five-star hotel - situated 14km east of Nuwara Eliya – serves up an international menu in the main dining room or more uniquely, in restored railway carriages (call ahead to book).

Victoria Park

Nuwara Eliya, West Coast, Sri Lanka

Address : Nuwara Eliya

Despite being located in the middle of town, peaceful Victoria Park is an ornithological hotspot with the potential for spotting many endemic species of birds.

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