Things to Do in Nuwara Eliya, Little England - Even in the Rain!

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka's Little England? Here's everything you need to know about the top things to do in Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya was one of the last areas we explored during our 2-month journey through Sri Lanka. We were excited as after all it is nicknamed ‘Little England’ and after over 8 months on the road, a slice of home sounded perfect.

Little England lived up to its name as it rained constantly for the 4 nights we had booked in the mountain town. It didn’t just rain, it poured. We were actually caught on the edge of a cyclone travelling up the country. 

We didn’t let this dampen our time, and still made it our mission to experience the tea plantations, waterfalls (this one didn’t work out) and the colonial architect that gave Nuwara Eliya its name as Little England, alongside the abysmal weather! 

Read on to uncover the top things to do in Nuwara Eliya, places to visit in Nuwara Eliya when it's raining and our experience of the town in Sri Lanka known as Little England. 

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Discover The Top Things To Do In Sri Lanka!

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Why Nuwara Eliya Is Called "Little England" Of Sri Lanka

We touched on this in the introduction but one of the reasons Nuwara Eliya got its name as Little England is the British Weather. Located over 1,800 meters above sea level the town is often shrouded in misty, cool weather year-round, a contrast to the tropical climate in the rest of Sri Lanka. 

The other reason is the Colonial Architecture, during British rule, colonists came to Nuwara Eliya trying to escape the heat. They built Tudor-style mansions, the famous red-brick Post office and other landmarks like the Grand Hotel. 

Best Time To Visit Nuwara Eliya

The best time to visit Nuwara Eliya is during the dry season from February to April. This will be the best time to avoid the classic British Weather of rain!

From May to September is the southwest monsoon season meaning wet weather and a misty atmosphere. 

From October to January expect unpredictable weather. We visited in November and experienced non-stop rain, but you might also get some sunshine! 

Where Is Nuwara Eliya Located In Sri Lanka?

Nuwara Eliya is nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands. Often called Little England for its cool climate and architecture, it is a common stop between Ella and Kandy. 

How To Get To Nuwara Eliya: Train, Bus & Tuktuk Options 

From Colombo 

You can hop on the train from Colombo Fort to Nanu Oya then hire a tuktuk the rest of the way. The train costs 1,200 - 7000 LKR depending on class. 

Tip: This is one of the most scenic train rides in the world, so we recommend you book a seat in the observation car.

You can also travel via bus which takes 7 hours and costs 500 - 2000 LKR. 

From Kandy 

From Kandy you can also catch a train to Nany Oya, then get a tuktuk to your hotel. This train takes 4 hours and costs 600 - 2,500 LKR. 

The bus from Kandy Bus Station takes 4 hours and is a budget friendly option at 300-600 LKR. 

From Ella 

Again, you can catch the train and experience the most scenic leg of the famous Kandy-Ella train ride. Get off at Nanu Oya then get a taxi or tuktuk to Nuwara Eliya. 

How We Travelled To Nuwara Eliya: Hired Tuktuk

For our time in Sri Lanka we hired a tuk tuk from tuktukrental.com. This gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace. 

The drive to Nuwara Eliya was strikingly beautiful with dramatic rolling hills home to the tea plantations and roaring waterfalls just off the road! We think this is the best way to travel, if you also want to hire a tuk tuk you can get 5% off tuktukrental.com with our code KANDM. 

Top Things To Do In Nuwara Eliya Map

What To Do In Little England Nuwara Eliya (Little England)

Places To Visit In Nuwara Eliya When It’s Raining

Although Nuwara Eliya is best visited when dry (isn't everywhere?) There are still a few attractions that can be enjoyed in the drizzly weather that is all too common in Little England. 

Visit The Tea Plantations: The Heart Of Little England 

Often tea plantation tours include the tea factory, which is indoors! This means you can stay dry while learning about how tea is processed in Sri Lanka. Tours also include tasting, allowing you to warm your hands around a cup of stemming tea that is perhaps the freshest cuppas you’ve ever had! We learnt to appreciate black tea in Sri Lanka, rather than the milky brew we’re used to and enjoyed tasting and learning all about Ceylon Tea. 

Two of the most popular tea factories to visit are the Pedro Tea Estate and Bluefield Tea Factory. 

Mlesna Tea Castle: Tasting and Tours

If you are driving your own tuktuk or have a private driver on the way to Nuwara Eliya stop off at theSt Clair’s Mlesna Tea Castle. Again, if it’s raining there’s still lots to explore indoors as well as an epic gift shop (as a child the gift shop was my favourite part of any attraction). 

We enjoyed a nice slice of chocolate cake and tea and watched the clouds roll in around the castle. We felt as though we had been transported to Scotland, which soon made sense as the castle was built as a tribute to the Scotsman John Taylor. Location 📌

Nuwara Eliya Red Brick Post Office

During the day take a walk, or if it’s still raining tuktuk, down to the Nuwara Eliya Post Office. As well as being a place to send postcards home it’s one of the most British looking buildings with its iconic red brick architecture.  Location 📌

Adma Agro Strawberry Farm

The climate also means strawberries are grown in several farms in the area. At the right times of year you can pick your own and sample interesting concoctions such as strawberry pizza, or the classic strawberry jam and ice cream. Still raining? The cafe is inside making the perfect hideaway. A tuktuk here should cost 150 rupees.  Location 📌

Things To Do In Nuwara Eliya When It’s Not Raining

While Nuwara Eliya is called Little England due to the unpredictable weather, when the sun does shine, the area transforms into a paradise of lush landscapes, hiking opportunities and strong flowing waterfalls. Here’s our top places to visit in Nuwara Eliya when the sky is clear!

Gregory Lake & Victoria Park 

Created in 1873 for recreation the lake, which glistens in the all so precious sunshine has become one of the most popular places to visit in Nuwara Eliya. You can rent a swan for 1,500LKR to paddle around the lake. The lake also has a path with a few small food stalls selling local snacks and Ceylon Tea. Location 📌

Just a short walk from Gregory Lake is Victoria Park, named after Queen Victoria. The park is best visited between April and August when the flowers are in full bloom. The entrance fee is 300 LKR. Location 📌

Hakgala Botanical Garden

A short drive away is the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The gardens have different areas to explore including a rose garden, Japanese Garden, Medicinal Plant Garden and Fernery.  The garden's location at the base of Hakgala Rock gives it a dramatically beautiful setting, best explored on a clear, dry day. The entrance fee for the Hakgala Botanical Garden 1,500LKR and it is open from 8am to 5:30pm. Location 📌

Nuwara Eliya Golf Course

We don’t play golf but Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, established in 1889, is one of the oldest golf courses in Asia! Location 📌

Explore Moon Plains Nuwara Eliya

More up our street is the Moon Plains, a vast expanse that offers wildlife sightings. The park offers its own Mini World’s End hike as well as Jeep tours that take you on a 30-minute trip across the grassy plains. Interestingly, the area was once a landfill site but was rehabilitated into an eco-tourism zone. 

Moon Plains is also home to Pidurutalagala which is Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain however you can’t hike up due to it being a military zone. Instead we recommend Adam’s Peak, a mountain climb with 5,000 steps around 2 hours away. 

Spectacular Waterfalls Around Nuwara Eliya

Lover's Leap Waterfall

The most famous waterfall in Nuwara Eliya is Lover’s Leap, a 40-meter cascade just 2km from the town. The hike starts at Pedro Tea Estate and takes 20-minutes. This waterfall is just visited in the early morning to avoid the crowds. Location 📌

Ramboda Falls

Ramboda is one of Sri Lanka’s tallest waterfalls plunging 109m. From Nuwara Eliya take a short drive to the Ramboda Falls hotel, which offers a great viewing platform for a small fee (or free if you eat at the restaurant). There’s also a public footpath nearby, but if the weather is bad, the hotel route is a great backup. Location 📌

Puna Ella Falls

A less visited hotel just 15-minutes from Nuwara Eliya, Puna Ella offers a quieter experience. This waterfall is not well marked but that’s part of the adventure! Location 📌

Devon Falls and St Clair's Falls

As we left the Mlsna Tea Castle we made our way to Devon Falls which is best views conveniently from a lookout point on the A7 (the road to Nuwara Eliya). There’s no hiking here but unfortunately due to the rain we were only greeted by fog! Location 📌

Tip: If you're self-driving a tuk tuk, you can visit Devon Falls and Ramboda Falls on the same scenic drive between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.

Adam’s Peak Hike

As mentioned above Adam’s peak, perhaps the most famous mountain in Sri Lanka is only 2 hours away. 

The hike consists of 5,500 steps weaving themselves up to the peak of the mountain which is 2,243m (7,359ft), a height that rewards climbers with panoramic views. The climb is often started in the shrouds of darkness (2-3am) to avoid the sun, making the peak's view even more rewarding when daylight breaks.

Where To Eat In Nuwara Eliya 

We think we accidentally  found the best restaurant in Nuwara Eliya and it was just by chance! 

Royal Wok Restaurant

Royal Wok Restaurant is a budget friendly eatery that serves a variety of dishes. Our go-to order was the egg fried rice and sausage devilled but they also do sandwiches and burgers. 

It was the closest place to our accommodation and considering the rain we thought we’d try it out. We then proceeded to eat there for every meal during our 4-night stay in Nuwara Eliya. If that doesn’t show it was good I don’t know what else does, oh and they also do takeaway, which is a win when you’re caught in a cyclone! 

That also means I don’t have any more recommendations on where to eat apart from the bakery in town where we grabbed our essential Roti breakfast!

Where To Stay in Nuwara Eliya

Redwood Inn: Budget Homestay In Nuwara Eliya 

Redwood Inn is a budget homestay and where we choose to stay during our time in Nuwara Eliya. A simple guesthouse that’s perfect for backpackers with a private bathroom. You can walk into the centre of town plus Royal Wok Restaurant isn’t too far away! 

Araliya Green City: Mid-Range Hotel

A modern hotel in a great location! Araliya Green City Hotel is next to Gregory lake and features amenities such as an indoor pool & gym.

Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya: Luxury Hotel In Nuwara Eliya 

One of the most iconic Nuwara Eliya hotels is the Grand Hotel features colonial architecture, sweeping gardens, and serves its famous afternoon high tea. It exudes old-world luxury and is perfect for travellers looking to experience Nuwara Eliya’s British charm.

FAQs About Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Why is Nuwara Eliya Called Little England?

Nuwara Eliya got its name as Little England due to a couple of reasons.Located over 1,800 meters above sea level the town is often shrouded in misty, cool weather year-round, a contrast to the tropical climate in the rest of Sri Lanka. 

The other reason is the Colonial Architecture, during British rule, colonists came to Nuwara Eliya trying to escape the heat. They built tudor-style mansions, the famous red-brick Post office and other landmarks like the Grand Hotel.

What are the must-visit places in Nuwara Eliya?

Must-visit places in Nuwara Eliya include Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, tea plantations, Lover's Leap Waterfall, Moon Plains, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, the historic Post Office, and the Grand Hotel. Other nearby attractions include Ramboda Falls, Devon Falls, and for the adventurous, Adam's Peak (2 hours away).

What are the best things to do in Nuwara Eliya when it rains?

The best things to do in Nuwara Eliya during rainy weather include visiting tea factories like Pedro Tea Estate and Bluefield Tea Factory (which offer indoor tours and tastings), exploring the Mlesna Tea Castle, admiring the colonial architecture of the Red Brick Post Office, shopping for tea souvenirs, enjoying strawberry treats at Adma Agro Strawberry Farm, and experiencing a traditional high tea at the Grand Hotel.

How many days should I spend in Nuwara Eliya?

We think 3 to 4 nights is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Nuwara Eliya. 

What should I pack for Nuwara Eliya?

Nuwara Eliya is up in the mountains with a cooler climate. Make sure you bring a fleece or jacket and raincoat that will keep you dry!

Final Thoughts On Nuwara Eliya 

Nuwara Eliya lived up to its name as Little England, it may have rained the whole time but we saw through the clouds to the beauty of rolling tea plantations. We enjoyed sipping the local tea, exploring the architecture and even enjoyed our failed waterfall chasing! Our next stop was Ella and we couldn’t wait to visit the famous Nine Arches Bridge.

Best Tours of Little England Nuwara Eliya

Top Tips For Travelling Sri Lanka

If you’re visiting Sri Lanka here are our top travel tips:

1. Rent a Tuk Tuk as Transport  - This made our trip! Not only did we have complete freedom and flexibility it allowed us to have authentic relationships with locals. Use our code "KandM" for 5% off Tuktuk Rental.

2. Stay in Homestays - Staying in local homestays meant we experienced authentic food and the local way of life. Everyone was extremely friendly and happy to help. 

3. Don’t Forget the North - Many tourists stick to the south coast but if you have time explore places such as Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Arugam bay!

4. Embrace The Chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!

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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!