Sri Lanka is a veritable paradise located in South Asia. Still recovering from a civil war that lasted decades, the country is quickly becoming one of the hottest vacation spots on the planet. For such a small place, Sri Lanka actually has quite a lot to offer. The country has quite a few amazing beaches, acres of lush forests inhabited by an array of exotic wildlife and dozens of historic landmarks. While Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya are probably the most popular destinations within the country, there are plenty of other places, such as the Adisham Bungalow in Haputale, waiting to be explored
The Adisham Bungalow (also called Adisham Hall) is located in Haputale in Sri Lanka’s Badulla District. It is also known as the St Benedict’s Monastery as it houses a monastery. The house was originally owned by an Englishman by the name of Sir Thomas Villiers, who entertained many prominent men of his era in the country house. The bungalow sits on nearly ten acres of land and has been influenced by Jacobean and Tudor styles. Construction on the bungalow started in 1927 and only finished several years later in 1931. Despite its age, the place is very well preserved and still boasts many of the original furniture and fittings.
Ownership passed into the hands of the Roman Catholic Church in 1961. It was during this time that the house was converted into a monastery. The Adisham Bungalow is only open to the public on weekends and Poya days (days when there is a full moon). It is also open during school holidays. Opening hours are between 9 am and 12.30 pm and again from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Visitors are only allowed to explore a certain portion of the bungalow. Tourists visiting Nuwara Eliya can take a quick trip down to Haputale to visit the old bungalow.
Tourists looking for a good hotel in Nuwara Eliya can try Jetwing St. Andrew’s. It is one of the premier Nuwara Eliya hotels and enjoys a central location. The hotel has all the best amenities and provides excellent service. It is the ideal accommodation of choice for travellers exploring the island’s stunningly beautiful central region.