Lynford Bungalow
An original colonial heritage bungalow deep in the heart of the Golden Valley of Ceylon Tea, the Bogawantalawa Valley.
$250.00
Lynford Bungalow
An original colonial heritage bungalow deep in the heart of the Golden Valley of Ceylon Tea, the Bogawantalawa Valley.
$250.00
For a rare glimpse at a bygone time when the hills were home to the gentleman planter and his family, to experience a planter’s life during the days of the colonial plantation era, the Lynford Bungalow is idyllic.
It is an original heritage tea plantation bungalow built by an intrepid Scottish planter by the name of William Spalding, it sits deep within the heart of the Bogawantalawa Region within the Loinorn Plantation. The property was renovated & lovingly restored to its former glory, and was even visited by Mr. Spalding’s descendants. The holiday experience starts on the drive up to the hills as you witness the verdant majesty of the countryside, setting the mood for your stay.
With your journey drawing to a close, your path will take on an old-world tone as you delve deeper into the plantation scheme, riding on the original cart roads that make up the transportation network to the bungalow. As you edge closer to the bungalow, you enter through historic gates and up a stately drive past manicured lawns to the entrance.
Here, you will be greeted by our experienced bungalow staff who will attend to your every need during your stay. After welcome drinks and a brief orientation, you are shown to your rooms. The bungalow comprises four spacious bedrooms with different themes, ranging from rustic intimate to neo-minimalist.
Common Areas
The bungalow has many common areas that have been furnished with genuine antiques reflecting various periods in the bungalow’s life.
The Morning Room with a fireplace is a space which allows the sun’s rays to shine through and allows you to survey the outside surroundings. Here, the planters of yesteryear would enjoy their morning tea and catch up on the news. Now, guests can partake in the same.
The Evening Room, a living space with a fireplace and a genuine vintage record player and stereo set, is the perfect place to unwind after dinner with soothing tunes and a good scotch in hand as a fire crackles, keeping everyone warm and cozy. Play board games, chat, sing your favorite songs: the choice is yours.
The bungalow has a single central Dining Room where all three main meals are served. Guests are encouraged to inform staff ahead of time when they wish to sit for meals. The dining team will ensure prompt preparation of meals and sound a bell when the meals are ready. (For more information on cuisines and the dining experience, please scroll down to the “Cuisine” section.)
The property has a large well maintained garden with sprawling lawns and its own vegetable garden supplementing the bungalow menus. The lower lawn has facilities for games such as cricket, croquet, badminton etc. and ofcourse the well curated 9 hole mini golf course. At the end of the lawn is a natural running water pool .In addition a beautiful Summer hut and an area for barbeque or bon fires.
Rooms
Gordon's Suite
The Gordon Suite can be considered the bungalow’s master bedroom. The golden hues and elegant double bed give hints as to the prominence of the bedroom in the house. The abode is furnished to be period correct, and exude a simple elegance and charm.
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Lavender Room
The Lavender Room as per its namesake is adorned in soothing lavender tones that compliment the relaxing and calm atmosphere of the bungalow and its locale.
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Siesta Room
The Siesta Room sits in a quieter part of the bungalow, further away from the entrance and overlooks the front gardens and drive to the property. As per its namesake, this room is all about relaxation and enjoying a calm atmosphere.
It is one of the most spacious rooms available and comes with 2 double beds and can sleep upto 4 people.
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White Room
The White Room as its name alludes is a white themed room. It is in stark contrast to the themes of the other rooms, but not sharply so.
It aims to bridge the divide between heritage colonial and modern boutique.
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Gallery
Features
Mini - Golf
The aim of the game is to complete all the holes, the person with the lowest score wins. Simply start by placing your ball on the green at the start of the hole. Take turns by putting the ball (using the golf club) towards the hole, count how many shots it takes you until you sink the ball in the hole. Record how many shots it takes to sink the ball in the hole on the scorecard. At the end of the game add up the scores.
Authentic Fireplace
Cosy up in front of the property’s original fireplace at night in the Evening Room or the morning room. (prepared on request, must inform in advance).
High Tea
High Tea was the traditional way of hosting guests at a bungalow in the past. Guests can inform staff in advance for high tea time to be prepared and it can be enjoyed in the main lawn. Do note that the experience is time specific.
Pool Table
Enjoy a relaxing game of pool with friends or family – play in the bright sunshine as you overlook the beautiful garden, or at night with a glass of scotch by your side and a record playing on the stereo.
The Experience Begins Now
The trip up to the hills is just as exciting as the stay. The journey is a long one – it can take up to 4 hours, and it is preferable to leave early morning prior to traffic.
On your way up, the scenery will change from the city scape to the rolling verdant hills, getting you into the mood for a stay in the serene upper country of Sri Lanka.
Notable stops on the way include Warleigh Church, which overlooks the beautiful reservoir down below. A break along the journey is recommended to stretch one’s legs and grab a steaming mug of tea amidst the hills.
As you make your way closer to Lynford Bungalow, the scenery will change from distant hills to up-close fields within the tea plantations. The roads will narrow as you head off the main route and turn into dirt roads – the original cart ways setup by plantations many moons ago.
Cuisine
Breakfast
Breakfast starts with hot tea in your room, followed by a range of freshly made continental fare sourced from ingredients grown at the bungalow or sourced from local suppliers. Enjoy freshly made jams, eggs and breads all crafted in-house.
Lunch
Lunch will be based off of a set menu. The dishes available to you recreate a planter’s family’s traditional lunch during that period. All ingredients are sourced from the bungalow’s garden or local suppliers to ensure maximum freshness and authenticity.
Dinner
Dinner, too, is based on a set menu with options akin to those available to a planter’s, in the past. Meals are carefully prepared taking into consideration the time of day, climate and the season. Dietary requirements are always considered prior to menu creation.
Experiences
Hiking Along the Trails
Choose to embark on short or long scenic hikes through varying trails around the plantation. An experienced guide will accompany you in your journey through the trails.
Experience a Day in the Life of a Planter
Starting at 8 a.m, guests will be taken on a trip to experience a day in the life of a planter – from plucking tea in the fields, to sorting, processing, drying and the tasting process in the factory, you will see what it’s like for a planter.( This tour to be arranged with prior notice).
A Visit to Sri Pada Mountain
Sri Pada, also knows as Adam’s Peak, is a popular holy mountain to visit. Known for the amazing view of the sunrise, it is a pinnacle of Sri Lankan legend and history. Guests and a guide will depart the bungalow at midnight to arrive early morning at the foot of the mountain, then proceed to climb to the summit to view the serene sunrise. The whole excursion will take 15 hours and will be totally worth it.
Picnic Lunch
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