In central Sri Lanka, just about 5 ½ hours drive away from Colombo International Airport close to Castlereagh Lake, lies the Bogawantalawa Valley, known as the Golden Valley of Tea and home to old Ceylon, replete with rolling green hills, plantation bungalows, high tea and exquisite service.

Here in solitude, at an elevation of 4000 feet above sea level, lies Ceylon Tea Trails, 4 classic colonial bungalows built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj. These historic houses have been restored by Dilmah Tea with the co-operation of Bogawantalawa Tea Estates, to offer guests the unique experience of life on a working tea estate. Bungalow sizes range from 4 to 6 rooms; 20 luxurious rooms and suites in all.
Each of the four bungalows is different. Summerville with an air of a country cottage, Castlereagh with an eclectic style of its own, the high colonial Tientsin, one of the first planter's residences to be built in Ceylon and the more modern Norwood abounding with 60's character. Summerville and Castlereagh are situated opposite each other on the shores of the Castlereagh lake, Norwood is at the other end of the valley about 15 minutes away by car and Tientsin is about 30 minutes away in the next valley.
Each house comes with its own manager, chef, butler and houseboys and from 4 to 6 luxurious Master Suites, Garden Suites and Luxury Rooms. You can book a room or the entire bungalow.
Follow the Tea Trail from one unique bungalow to the next, staying a night or two at each or just laze in one. Trek and picnic at spectacular locations each day in cool comfort. These four bungalows realise your dreams in a "non-hotel" atmosphere. Heritage with a contemporary style is the hallmark of the Tea Trails experience.
The four Tea Trails bungalows are located between 4 kms and 15kms from each other. “Castlereagh” and “Summerville” bungalows were built in 1925 and 1928 respectively and are located on Castlereagh Lake. It is here that the crème de la crème of Sri Lanka’s teas – the fragrant and delicately flavoured “high growns” flourish.
The original Norwood Bungalow was built in 1890 by the Eastern Produce Company and rebuilt in 1950 after the old bungalow caught fire. The original “ Tientsin” bungalow was built where the present sundeck area is located. Planter Irwin Stuart’s mother built the present bungalow for him in 1939.
Other buildings of historic note are the Christ Church Warleigh built by English and Scottish tea planters in 1878 and St. Mary’s Church in Bogowantalawa, where Juliet Margaret Cameron, an early pioneer of black and white photography, is buried. Two of the oldest & famous planters clubs of Sri Lanka – the Darawella Maskeliya Cricket Club in Dickoya and the Bogowantalawa Planters Club are also located here.
The cuisine at Ceylon Tea Trails takes its cue from the long tradition of dining well at the tea planter’s table: nostalgic flavours of Europe and a tradition of service and pampering unique to British colonial times. A unique aspect of Tea Trails’ cuisine is the use of fresh, home grown vegetables, herbs and teas from the surrounding gardens.

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