This unique tea estate bungalow on Aislaby Estate and Farm is still owned by the only remaining British planting family in Sri Lanka. The family arrived in Ceylon in 1884 and the estate has been in the family since the early 1920's. Set in the cooler climate of the hill country, Kirchhayn provides a wonderful retreat from the heat of the low country. Drive through picture postcard manicured tea to reach this traditional planter's colonial house set in 8 acres of gardens and surrounded by 42 acres of premium quality tea. The house has been lovingly restored by the family of the original owners of the estate and is set in a stunningly beautiful garden and surrounded by tea. The house has been crafted to give maximum comfort after a hard day on the estate and has stunning views over the surrounding area. Kirchhayn Bungalow can be rented as a whole or by the room and is ideal as a retreat from the heat of the south or from the chaos of the roads if you are traveling the country.

Room Catergories: Bostock Suite / Taylor Suite / Pyman Suite / Lushington Suite / Wickwar Suite

Kirchhayn stands at 1400m. above sea level, so though the days are warm and sunny (20-26c) the early mornings and evenings are chilly (12-16c) and a sweater or light fleece is welcome. This villa is ideally located for a stay between enjoying the beaches and water sports of the south west and heading for the hills and culture of Kandy.

• Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
• Sri Dalada Maligawa (Palace of the Tooth Relic of Buddha)
• Kandyan Architecture
  Wood Carvings From the Dalada Maligawa
  Elephant Columns at the Royal Audience Hall in the Dalada Maligawa
  Lankatillake Temple in Udunuwara
  Gadaladeniya Temple
• Kandy Lake
  The Kandy Lake offers a wonderful place for a stroll or a jog. The shady path surrounding the lake provides a view of the hills and the town. The spectacular lake was created in 1807 by the last Sinhalese King. It is situated by the side of the Temple of the tooth relic. The Malwatte temple, one of the two head temples of the Siyam Nikaya sect of Theravada Buddhism, is also located overlooking the lake. Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last king of Kandy, decorated the lake with the "walakulu" (clouds) wall.
• The island
  One of the prettiest objects of the lake is the island. It is decorated with palm trees and bamboo thickets. King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe built a dam for the purpose of reaching the opposite side of the lake. Then as the dam was not sufficient for him, the King removed the soil from both the palace end and the Malwatte Vihare end, leaving the island behind. At first this island was supposed to be the bathing place of the Queen and the ladies of the court.
• The "Walakulu" (clouds) wall
  The Walakulu wall was built to increase the beauty of the Kandy Lake. It extends around half of the Lake and has taken one skilled architect to build it. The king who built the Walakulu wall couldn't finish it because he lost the war and was forced to relinquish the Kandian kingdom. The Walakulu wall still lies unfinished. The triangular shaped holes in the Walakulu wall were used in the past for lighting oil lamps on festival days.
• Queens Bath
  The queen's bath is situated partly in the waters of the Kandy Lake. The wives of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe used the queen's bath. The British added another storey which was used as a library.
• Kataragama Devale at Embekke
  This temple was also built in the 14th century to house an image of the God Skanda, the Kataragama deity. The entire wooden structure is carved with mythical and other figures. It lies in the Udunuwara division close to Daulagala about eight miles from Kandy. The UNESCO has named the marvelous elaborate carvings on wooden pillars at Embekke to be the finest products of woodcarvings to be found in any part of the world.
• Udawattekele Sanctuary
  Situated to the North of the City of Kandy, this reserve has deep forests with many endemic birds, butterflies and plants. Udawattakele also has a Buddhist meditation centre.
• Knuckles Mountain Range
  Its name describes its outline. The Knuckles Range consists of the Knuckles massif, the Knuckles range and the Knuckles Peaks. This mountain range offers a wonderful place for hiking and nature tours. It also holds great fascination for geologists and naturalists.
• Sripada (Adam's Peak)
  Sripada (sacred footprint) or Samanalakande (butterfly mountain) has been the object of worship and pilgrimage for centuries for persons of all major religions. The British referred to this mountain as Adam's Peak. Watching the dawn from Sripada is a rare experience. On clear days you can see the shadow of the peak cast on the surrounding forest canopy as the sun rises. The 'pilgrim season' begins on the poya (full moon monthly Buddhist holiday) day in December, and runs until the start of the April monsoon.