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Tucked along winding hill roads an hour and a half from Kandy, Ashburnham offers relaxed adventurers a warm welcome. The house itself dates back to the 1930s, with a big covered terrace for long breakfasts and tree-framed valley views, lazy afternoons with tea and a book, and easygoing candlelit dinners. Whitewashed interiors include two shared sitting rooms, plus an airy dining room with bookshelves and board games.
Each of the six bedrooms is individually decorated — one is a generous family room — and all offer views of the lush gardens, where vines twine up enormous tree trunks, and bright orange African tulips bloom. Many of the rooms have private balconies, and bathrooms boast great showers for refreshing rinses post-swim or hillside hike.
The real highlight of this hideaway, other than the bungalow's understated charm, is undoubtedly the friendly team. On hand with recommendations for activities, insights into life in this part of the hills, fabulous cups of tea or more ice and lime for gin and tonics, the team at Ash are brilliant. Estate tours with Das, who has been managing Ashburnham's tea for decades, are fantastic. Discover the tea growing process and the history of the industry, spot traditional medicinal plants and admire a century-old banyan tree before tasting various teas back at the estate.
Walks to One Tree Hill — famed for its expansive views — also come highly recommended. Pull on a pair of wellies to stomp down hundreds of rocky steps to admire the rushing waterfall, play a game of tennis on the bungalow's court, or lounge by the pool in the sunshine. Rain is fairly frequent in the hills, but big pots of tea, cosy sitting areas and the shaded terrace are ideal spots for kicking back and waiting for the sunshine to return. It's worth remembering that rains in Sri Lanka's hill country increase the chances of leeches appearing — but they're completely harmless, and that's where the wellies come in handy!
A wonderfully rejuvenating escape, Ashburnham has an appealingly laid-back feel, perfect for families or quiet couples. The food is excellent, with fresh fruit, eggs and toast with jam at breakfast, plenty of choice at lunch, and three-course dinners of fragrant soups, delicious rice and curries, and homemade dessert. Birthday cakes can be whipped up on request, there's a BYOB option for those looking to bring along a special bottle of wine, and western main courses are also an option. It's little wonder that many guests return again and again!
Great walks
Country Escape
Romantic Break
Golf
Other Activities
No restaurant
Historic
Family Suites
Cooking classes
Tennis Court
Hills & mountains
Full of character
Secluded setting
Quiet
Rooms with balcony/terrace
Colonial
Total relaxation
Sit-out Terrace
Traditional
Boutique
Cycling
Antiques
Child friendly
Retro/Vintage
On an island
Wildlife Area
Views
Charming
Luxury
Four poster beds
Intimate
Romantic
Mountain biking
Rooms
6 rooms in this hotelGames room
Board games and books await, and there's a box of lawn games like croquet, plus tennis racquetsNo restaurant
Delicious meals are served on the main covered terrace or at the big indoor dining tableFamily Suites
The family suite has a double bed and two twin beds for little onesTennis Court
Challenge friends and family to a game of tennis on the courtSwimming Pool
Outdoor pool with slide and shallow children's pool areaBar
There is a drinks list, but guests can also BYOBSitting Room
Two sitting rooms with books and board gamesGarden
Part of a 98-acre tea plantationOutdoor dining
Safe
Parking
Bicycles available
Rooms with balcony/terrace
Airport transfer
Sit-out Terrace
Cots available
No pets
Child friendly
Room service
Suites
Concierge
Four poster beds
Wifi
Great walks
Golf
Other Activities
Cooking classes
Cycling
Wildlife Area
Mountain biking
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