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Ashburnham Estate

Ashburnham Estate

Sri Lanka

Perched in a working tea estate, Ashburnham is a boutique guesthouse-hotel with six characterful rooms and suites. This original planter’s bungalow oozes history and charm and is a wonderful place to relax, with stunning views. The bungalow has an open plan dining and lounge area, with a cozy log fire and sumptuous seating areas.

There is also plenty to explore and experience, from swimming in the estate’s very own waterfall (or the swimming pool for the less adventurous), picnics in the hills, nature treks and tea factory tours with Mr Dassanayake to mountain biking and cookery classes. There’s also a tennis court for those who enjoy a game (and a Pimm’s afterwards).

OUR OPINION:

With beautiful surroundings, a great location and plenty of activities on offer, Ashburnham is great for exploring or relaxing, for couples, friends, and families alike. We love the boutique feel, the colonial charm and the views.

OUR RATING: Medium

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Rooms

With calming tones and lots of light, the six guest rooms in the Ashburnham bungalow are all comfortable and thoughtfully designed, with the modern amenities you would expect. Sri Lankan touches blend beautifully with original features, sympathetic to the property’s colonial history. The rooms differ slightly in size and design, and some have private outdoor spaces. For families there is a two-bedroom suite, or the option of an extra bed in some rooms.

Location

Nestled in scenic tea hills, planted in the 1930s, Ashburnham is around an hour’s drive north of Kandy, not far from Matale. If traveling from Colombo or its airport, the journey by car should take less than five hours. Or take the train from Colombo to Kandy (just under three hours) and drive from there. Ashburnham has the advantage of being near to Kandy (a must-visit cultural stop in Sri Lanka) but also offering a peaceful stay surrounded by tea and countryside.

Food and drink

The organic vegetable garden which sits behind Ashburnham’s kitchen means there’s a fresh, steady supply of produce, including herbs and spices. Kandyan chef Reggie takes pride in producing delicious, varied cuisine for guests from traditional curries and European dishes to excellent scones and cakes. Lunch menus typically include Western dishes such as pastas and salads, and each day’s dinner menu offers both Western dishes and Sri Lankan curries.

Location & places nearby

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