Adisham Bungalow. Before you come.

Adisham Bungalow is a Tudor-style English manor house in the hills near Haputale, built by a British tea planter and now run as a monastery. Travelers come for the atmospheric rooms with period furniture, the quiet gardens, and the sense of stepping into a colonial novel. It's a short, reflective stop that appeals to history and architecture lovers.

Adisham feels transported from the English countryside — half-timbered walls, stained glass, manicured lawns, and the musty smell of old books in the library. Built in 1931 by Sir Thomas Villiers (a British tea planter), it now operates as St Benedict's Monastery. The rooms are preserved with period furniture, photographs, and personal effects. The gardens are small but lovingly maintained, with roses and hedges that feel delightfully out of place in Sri Lanka's hill country.

The visit is self-guided through the ground floor rooms and gardens. The library and chapel are the highlights. Dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered — as it's an active monastery. Entry is LKR 200, and you're asked to maintain silence in certain areas. It's about 30 minutes from Ella on the Haputale road, making it an easy add-on to a Lipton's Seat or Halpe Tea Factory trip. Note: closed on Sundays entirely. Allow 30–45 minutes for the visit.