 Life at Agar has not changed in the last century and guests should embrace the beuty and Victor Silvestor gramphone tunes in the same breath.
A privately owned family tea plantation and a delightful bungalow set at the foot of Adam’s Peak and just 45 minutes drive from Ratnapura. The present bungalow is built where Agar once lived, classically designed to a colonial and green roof style. John Shelton Agar Esq.’s land is one of the oldest tea estates, pioneered by a British planter who brought China tea to Ceylon in 1870.
Drive through dense jungle and skirt impressive waterfalls to reach this working estate cottage with two and a half acres of tropical garden. The cottage comprises a drawing room in rich Tuscan colours and a wealth of antiques, overlooking the quarter acre span Ficus Benjamina tree.
Relax with a cocktail and Ella Fitzgerald’s melodic tones by night and by day explore the estate tea factory. At sunrise the scenery is magnificent, and twitchers will delight in the resident flock of jungle fowl. The garden summerhouse is a perfect afternoon tea stop and is surrounded by orchids and wild flowers.
A fascinating respite for the hill climber, or the Adams Peak pilgrim.
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- Morning walks through the estate.
- The master bedroom is very cosy and the four poster bed quite majestic.
- A very real and non-commercial way to step into life on a working tea estate.
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- The steep and ill-maintained estate drive should not be tackled at night or by a low slung 4-wheel drive vehicle.
- The bathrooms appear older than the house itself and a host of insects have taken up residency.
- The chef is trained by Helga’s Folly and has not learned to temper the spices and rich sauces.
- Lack of water during March/April droughts.
- Leeches love the garden in the wet season.
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