Nuwara Eliya, nestled in the hill country of south-central Sri Lanka, lies near the popular backpacker town of Ella. The lush tea plantations thriving in mild, rainy climate, and its cool weather, picturesque landscapes, and colonial-style architecture, surrounds the town. This has rightly earned it the sobriquet ‘Little England.’ No picture does justice to the time wrap this town is. The rolling hills covered with tea gardens, are broken only by occasional waterfalls or grand colonial buildings. The meandering streets, and the brightly coloured colonial buildings with erratically shaped roofs as they tier down the town, makes Nuwara Eliya a place like no other in Sri Lanka.
Nuwara Eliya is encased in bright and vivid greenery. Its so green and peaceful that it takes a heart to believe that its real. The air is clean, and the sounds are of the breeze, rain or birds. Whilst on the outskirts, the countryside is awash in that oh-so-beautiful tea. The roadsides look so flawlessly groomed, and the meadows spread out towards the lake done with extreme finesse.
The attractions of this town are numerous. And it is one place that does not bore you even when it rains, and it showers a lot in Nuwara Eliya. The soft, misty rain envelops this town like a shawl and is as inconsistent as it could get. In Nuwara Eliya, the clouds are always playing with you, the breeze is cool and light, and there’s always a soft feeling of an escape hung around. And with its Tudor style mansions, rolling tea gardens, lush parks, meadows, and cricket fields, the town fondly mimics the English scenery.
The starting out journey
Nuwara Eliya was once was the favourite hill station of the colonial rulers of Sri Lanka. For the homesick servants of the British crown, it was an escape from the tropical heat. This little piece of paradise suited their will, and the smart ones started looking for options to stay put here for a long time. Thus began the legacy of cash-rich Ceylon tea of Sri Lanka and Nuwara Eliya and its surrounding areas were bases of the English and Scottish tea pioneers. The English soldiers and the wealthy men brought with them English wine, and the English architecture. This shaped the sleepy hill town of Nuwara Eliya, in perfect English shades. Soon they built houses, clubs, and parks to create a mini-England in and around Nuwara Eliya.
Getting addicted to high tea
The story of Nuwara Eliya started with tea. And even today it stands as the best spot for travellers to ramble around tea gardens in Sri Lanka. There are also exotic fresh produce markets, tea plantation workers in colourful saris, the overbearing, nice smell of curry and rice, around the Gregory Lake, and even outside the town. It gets prettier outside the town as the tea gardens are interspersed with waterfalls, and hiking trails. In the town, the public buses rumble through the congested tea country and puffs of petrol smoke gets mingled with the sweet smell of the English tea roses. For more flowers head to the Victoria Park in the town. The park was built in honour of Queen Victoria’s 60th Jubilee coronation. It stretches across 27 acres of land, with a playground inside this park, and a perfect spot for walks and bird watching.
To catch on more tea action, visit the Pedro tea estate. They have been producing tea here since 1885 and much of the original machinery can still be seen dotted around the plantation. Take a guided tour of the factory and learn about the entire process. The tea factory tour ends with a cup of homegrown tea in a teahouse overlooking the plantation.
Hike to the lover’s leap waterfall
From the Pedro estate you can continue to the Lover’s leap waterfall. The idea of a hike to the waterfall amidst tea estates and rugged cliffs is charming enough to finding a place on the itinerary. According to legend, a tragic love story gave the waterfall its name, as a young couple is said to have leaped from the cliff in eternal devotion.
Off to the Horton’s plains
Wish to add more thrill to the supposedly easy holidaying in Nuwara Eliya – take the road to the Horton plains. A hike to Horton Plains in Nuwara Eliya is an unforgettable journey through misty grasslands, cloud forests, and mesmerizing viewpoints. The 9-kilometre circular trek takes you through verdant meadows and forest trails. This passes diverse flora and fauna, with chances to spot sambhar deer, exotic birds, and even the elusive leopard. The highlight of the trek is World’s End, a dramatic escarpment with a sheer 800-meter drop, offering panoramic views that stretch for miles on clear days. Along the way, Baker’s Falls adds to the charm, cascading gracefully through the dense forest. Horton Plains offer you a shade of hiking in the Sri Lankan highlands.
Spend evening at the Gregory Lake
By now, you must have crossed Gregory Lake countless times—every road in town seems to lead past it. In the evening, the lake takes on a festive charm as locals gather for leisurely walks and picnics. The tourists steal moments of joy with boat rides on the water or horseback rides along the shore. Settle in some café overlooking the lake for your coffee or a sumptuous meal on a restaurant by the lake. The backdrop of the lake, framed by quintessential English-style cottages, creates a picture-perfect setting. As bicyclists glide along the scenic paths, enjoying their evening rides, the landscape feels straight out of a postcard—serene, charming, and steeped in old-world elegance.
While a day may be enough to tick off the main sights in Nuwara Eliya, the town offers far more than just a checklist of attractions. Take a leisurely stroll through its charming streets, admire the colonial-era buildings and cottages—some now transformed into hotels and homestays—and soak in its unique character. Wander through the bustling town market near the bus stand, or hop on a tuk-tuk for a scenic 30-minute ride to the enchanting Bomburu Ella waterfall, or indulge in an elegant evening high tea at the iconic Grand Hotel. Nuwara Eliya truly comes to life when you slow down and embrace its timeless charm. In my pick of places, Nuwara Eliya may be among the best of the places I covered in Sri Lanka, and a place I’d always want to return to.
