Facts

Ellerton Facts at a glance

Things to do

Activities at Ellerton

Places to Visit

Destinations close by Ellerton

Packages to this hotel

Holiday Packages to Ellerton

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Nearby Hotels to Ellerton

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Cuisine

Cuisine

Meals

Ellerton is very informal, and we can accommodate most requirements for meals. Please let them know of any particular dietary requirements in advance.

Typically the food is Sri Lankan, and therefore will contain curries. These can of course be hot or mild according to your preference, or western food can be cooked by Nimal.

There is always a variety of fresh fruit, both from Ellerton gardens and the local market

Meals can be taken where guests want, and within reason, at times to suit guests.

Drinks

They have a policy of giving free drinks with lunch and dinner, including local alcohol – which means beer; gin; whiskey and mixers, as well as fruit juices.
Since they do not have a liquor license, they cannot sell wine. Reasonable imported wine from Europe and the New World is available from the supermarkets in Kandy and Gampola, and they will keep this chilled for you. In addition The Valley House has a small refrigerator for guests.

Activities

Activities

For those who are happy to spend lazy days by the pool or reading in the shade on the veranda, it is the perfect retreat. For the more energetic, Ellerton is an excellent base to explore Sri Lanka.

Ellerton is just off the road from Kandy to the higher-level tea estates around the 'English' town of Nuwara Eliya. The Cultural Triangle of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla are two hours to the North. The famous Elephant Orphanage at Pinnewala is 1.5 hours away, and the beautiful Hunas waterfall a little more. Within the Kandy area, the world famous botanical gardens at Peredeniya (over 120 acres) are actually on the way into Kandy Town, while there is also a smaller Elephant Sanctuary nearby.

Kandy itself is a fascinating and historic town, most attractively centered in a valley with a large lake, on which is the world famous Temple of the Tooth, one of the holiest sites of Buddhism. Kandy also has a number of hotels, restaurants, and shops.

The area around Ellerton itself is peaceful and rural. Ellerton was previously the centre of a major tea estate of some 1,500 acres, and the original estate roads provide excellent walks through local villages. For those who are more energetic and want to explore further we have some mountain bicycles which guests can use at no charge.

An attractive way to travel in Sri Lanka is by train, which although slow, is fascinating, as well as being extraordinarily cheap. By train one can travel up to Nuwara Eliya or down to Colombo. Guests can be met at Kandy, Gampola or Peredeniya stations.


Walks

There are a wide variety of walks, mainly along village roads, from Ellerton. interesting directions. The villagers are invariably friendly and welcoming.

Wild Animals

There are quite a lot of wild animals around Ellerton including monkeys; mongeese; porcupines; wild boar (very delicious in curries!); small deer and hares. There is, as you will see, a fascinating variety of bird life, in particular the Sri Lankan hanging parrot, golden orioles and the plum headed parakeet. Noises on the tin roof are likely to be squirrels! Rohan is particularly knowledgeable about all Sri Lankan flora and fauna.

Bicycles

There are some mountain bicycles, which you can borrow, at no charge. There are a large number of roads and tracks around Ellerton which provide bicycle trips, ranging from relaxed to quite arduous!

Books
There are a variety of books, both in the reception rooms of Ellerton, and also in the Valley House. Please borrow any that you would like to read, but please leave them at Ellerton.

Domestic Animals

There are two house dogs, which are, hopefully, kept under control – Ben is a Sri Lankan Labrador, and a Polly a local village dog. If you want to take Ben on walks, he is normally very keen. There are also two cats.

Location

Location

Ellerton is approximately 18km south of central Kandy. If you are coming from Colombo you will come in at Peradeniya; cross the river; and at the roundabout take the road towards Galaha and the university.

From Kandy take the Peradeniya road, which goes due south out of Kandy; come to the first roundabout, and then (as above) to the second roundabout – i.e. towards Galaha and the university.

The road goes through the university campus, and 3.5km from the second roundabout is a “Y” junction; take the right hand signpost to Gampola.
After 5.4 km you cross a river with a small power station on the left. 0.9km after that there is a small road going off to the left, which can be identified since there are usually some three-wheelers waiting for business, but also a large sign saying Nimex in white and blue and a smaller one for Ellerton.
Take this road, which climbs steeply for 1.4km to a “T” junction. Take the left turn, again following a sign for Ellerton. Immediately after the “T” junction there is a tarmac road up to the right, ignore this and continue along the road for 1.5km.

After 1.5km take the drive off to the right, sign posted Ellerton.
After 150 metres you come to the top of a little hill, with a stone wall on the left and an Ellerton sign. Turn left into the entrance. There is a small guards house and gate. If the gate is shut hoot the horn.
From Gampola, take the NEW Kandy road – i.e. to the east of the river and after 8 kms, take the right turn at the “Nimex” and Ellerton signs. If you reach the power station, you have gone too far!