Gammaduwa Heritage Bungalow and Tea Gardens

We absolutely loved our stay at Gammaduwa Heritage Bungalow. It is a peaceful and beautiful place surrounded by nature, with lovely rooms and incredibly warm and helpful people. We especially recommend booking half board. The food was some of the best we had in Sri Lanka, with a great variety of local dishes and more than enough at every meal. We looked forward to dinner every evening. The tea tour was also excellent. It was interesting, detailed and gave us a much better understanding of how tea is grown, picked and processed. We left with wonderful memories and would happily return. And our strongest recommendation: definitely take the half board!

The road is currently difficult in some places because of landslides and repairs. However, the bungalow organises a pick-up for the problematic section, so it was no real issue for us.

Wonderful place to stay! Beautiful Old English House, nicely maintained, amazing nature, surroundings for walking and contemplating the beautiful scenery! Cinammon, tea, black pepper plantations in the surroundings are stunning! The food at the place is exquisite and varied, really delicous food! The staff always helpful and really friendly ! We, 3 women in our 60’s, totally recommend this place! It is a must visit!

Everything was perfect!

My son and I stayed for one night at Gammaduwa Heritage Bungalow, and we were the only guests. Nanda and the team did an exceptional job of looking after us, and we were spoilt with the most delicious and varied dinner and breakfast. Wow! We would go back just for the food. Other highlights were the relaxing verandah with its incredible views, the library with plenty of books to choose from, and the wonderful atmosphere of the place. They also do a great deal for the local community, particularly following the recent devastating avalanches. I really enjoyed reading about David, the owner, and was sorry to miss him on this trip.

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the lovely house is set in the mountains of Gammudura with stunning views .

Location, setting, view, walks, staff, food, atmosphere, history, tea garden, house dog.

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The meals were phenomenal (we opted for the Sri Lankan options). The location is also very special: nestled in the Knuckles Mountains with a beautiful porch overlooking the forest. Last but not least, the team made us feel at home from the moment we arrived!

A little tricky to get to but this can be resolved easily - if coming with a driver, just ask them to speak to the team at Gammaduwa so that they can share directions. Google Maps doesn't suggest the easiest routes.

Das ist ein Ort der besonderen Art. Ein behutsam saniertes Objekt, mit viel Liebe zum Detail. Von der Terrasse ein herrlicher Blick über die Berge und sehr zuvorkommendes Personal, das mit regionaler Küche überzeugt! Für alle, die abseits der ausgetreten Pfade das besondere suchen. Danke an das Team!! ( nebenbei fördert der Betreiber Bildungsprogramme in der direkten Region)

Da war nichts

Gammaduwa Heritage Bungalow and Tea Gardens in Matale is een betoverende plek vol charme en geschiedenis. Gelegen tussen uitgestrekte theevelden geniet je hier van rust en adembenemende uitzichten. Het personeel is hartelijk en doet er alles aan om je verblijf onvergetelijk te maken. De kamers zijn sfeervol, comfortabel en ademen authenticiteit uit. Een unieke ervaring die cultuur, natuur en gastvrijheid perfect combineert!

TIP : bescherm je goed tegen de bloedzuigers wanneer je gaat wandelen !

Bijzondere locatie op een prachtige plek! Een beetje van het toeristische gebaande pad af. Nanda en het personeel zijn supervriendelijk, vrolijk en doen er alles aan om het je naar de zin te maken. Prachtige omgeving, dit is echt een plek om even helemaal tot rust te komen. Mooi is dat ze hier ook zich inspannen om lokale bevolking te helpen en kinderen supporten om naar school te gaan. Een mooie combinatie van toerisme en community work.

Het huis was perfect en het eten was heerlijk en alles is vegetarisch (en ik miste het vlees en vis echt niet) en er was een hele mooie wandeling en een prachtig uitzicht op de bergen en de natuur en er was een hele mooie woonkamer en een library met hele lekkere stoelen. Eigelijk zijn er overal lekkere stoelen en er is heel leuk personeel en wat mij betreft krijgt het een dikke 10! (geschreven door de zoon van het gezin)

Niks.

Perfect and peaceful location, with really helpful and kind staff. They also have the smartest and most lovely dog I have seen. Totally recommended. In order to go to the apartment don’t follow Google maps, ask the locals at the villages as you pass by.

Fantastic location in the Knuckles. We stayed here for 2 nights. The house is very special with many cosy seating areas and of course the stunning views outside from the rocking chairs on the terrace. The work they do for the community and their mission and vision is admirable. Nanda is a very nice host to talk to and helps you with everything like providing rain gear and leech socks for our hike .He taught us the Sri Lankan game Carrom and even played this with our kids. The food is fantastic, so many different dishes to taste from, and we loved the afternoon tea with home made cakes. Thanks a lot Nanda and team!

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La maison, la grande chambre, le tea time

Ressenti mitigé : je m’attendais à beaucoup mieux au vue de certains avis dithyrambiques… mais certains aspects ne reflètent pas pour nous la notation actuelle ! - une route interminable pour arriver dans un endroit isolé, avec une obligation implicite de dîner et petit déjeuner sur place. Or les prix ne sont pas affichés, le menu n’est pas expliqué …les repas sont certes maison mais très originaux et imposés , ce qui peut ne pas plaire… l’accueil de la part de Dave est cordial mais minimaliste au regard du reste de notre séjour ( après la visite sommaire de la maison, nous ne l’avons croisé que pour le Check Out, le lendemain matin) En définitive , pour une nuit en demi pension ( dîner et petit déjeuner), on en a eu pour 106 dollars (33000 roupies), ce qui en ghest house est le plus cher de notre séjour sans que ce soit de loin le meilleur lieu d’hébergement visité … Pour L’anecdote parce que le prix de la course est dérisoire( moins d’un euro), nous avons voyagé en van et avons décidé de donner rdv au retour à notre guide sur la place du village au vu de l’état de la route. Le touktouk n’était pas offert alors que c’ était le cas dans des situations similaires ailleurs (comme à Ella) Extrêmement décevant !

Deze bungalow heeft een prachtige authentieke sfeer, is stijlvol ingericht en is een heerlijke plek om uit te rusten. Er is een mooie tuin en veel te zienden de directe omgeving. En in het bijzonder hebben we genoten van het heerlijke zelfgemaakte eten. Waar mogelijk uit eigen tuin. Echt een aanrader!

De bewegwijzering mag beter.

Dave’s place is a paradise—peaceful, incredibly beautiful, and thoughtfully designed. The house was spotless and tastefully furnished, with fresh flowers and other welcoming touches that made it feel cozy and warm. The tradition of afternoon tea was especially lovely—restorative and a thoughtful way to connect with guests while introducing them to local teas. The food was excellent. We had the chance to try many new dishes and discover a wide range of Sri Lankan ingredients and flavors. The tea experience was very well done. We picked tea alongside the local tea ladies working on the property’s seven-acre plantation, and afterward, Dave walked us through the entire tea-making process—from plucking to producing both green and black tea. His passion for tea, and more broadly for his community and the work he's doing there, really shines through. The surrounding environment is magical. We went on a five-hour hike through the area—one of the best hikes we've ever done. The people in the nearby village of Gammaduwa were also incredibly welcoming, friendly, and kind. The staff were professional, warm, and well-prepared. Dave himself is a fantastic host. He even helped us arrange a driver at a fair price, which we greatly appreciated. The vision behind this guesthouse is truly inspiring—it reflects Dave’s deep care for the local community and his desire to make a meaningful impact. I really encourage anyone staying here to take a moment to learn more about it. It deserves recognition and appreciation.

NA

Our stay at Gammaduwa Heritage Bungalow was wonderful. It is an experience that should not be missed. The views were stunning, the host was convivial, the staff were attentive, and the food was sublime. We were sorry to leave.

Our driver found it difficult to find. (Black hole in Google Maps!) No credit cards.

Wonderful period tea plantation house lovingly renovated with fantastic views. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay for the tea experience and wished we’d shave booked two nights rather than one. The host is a lovely, interesting guy and saved our bacon, organising two tuk-tuks to rescue us when my bike broke. Fantastic food.

It’s a little bit of a journey to get to it, but absolutely worth it and our favourite place in Sri Lanka thus far

Spacious comfortable room with separate entrance. Large bathroom with shower. Beautiful scenery if a little remote ( not a criticism, just something to be aware of) Walking opportunities straight from door. The weather wasn’t kind to us but we did get one morning when we were able to do the tea experience. The best part for me was the food - they prepared some wonderful gluten free Sri Lankan meals for me which was the best food I had in our 3 week trip. Dave is very engaging and we enjoyed our chats with him.

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Great views, excellent hospitality and the best food we had in Sri Lanka

The weather can be a bit fickle as it’s tucked in the hills

We chose this as looked like a good stop between Kandy and Sirigiya... Great scenery with fantastic hospitality from the moment you arrive.. the complimentary afternoon tea was a nice touch and we added breakfast and dinner onto our stay.. again both were lovely and David explained the sri lankan dishes in great detail.. we arrived quite early and David suggested a walk which we did and thoroughly enjoyed. The room itself was beautiful and I loved the library and overall decor of the house

Google maps can't be trusted for the route near the property but David is aware and trying to sort that.. we were driving our own tuktuk and enjoyed getting help from local people - they couldnt have been friendlier.. one teen-ager jumping on his bike and riding ahead to show us which junction we needed to take. The only reason I have scored 9 rather than 10 is we went to learn about tea and requested the tea experience but time sort of ran away and it didn't happen... still thoroughly enjoyed the stay though!

Tranqulity and frienly staff. And a good place for bird watching

Dont use google maps to locate the route. It shows wrong directions. Just turn to Gammadywa road from Rattota and drive few miles and then search for directions

The Gammaduwa Bungalow, nestled in the serene hills, offers a magical retreat amidst lush tea gardens. I drove a tuk-tuk, and while the climb was steep, the destination was truly worth it. I took a wrong turn along the way and got slightly lost, but that’s the best thing that can happen to you in Sri Lanka. 🙂 Upon arrival, you’re greeted by tastefully decorated interiors and the inviting aroma of sumptuous food. The fresh air and tranquil surroundings create a soul-cleansing experience that lingers long after your stay. The excellent service adds to the charm, making every moment feel special. At Gammaduwa Bungalow, time seems to stand still, inviting you to cast away your cares and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and serenity of this hidden gem.

The monkeys stole my tuk tuk's side mirror 🙂

The bungalow was a superb place to stay, offering a very clean and comfortable environment. Dave and his staff were exceptionally friendly and supportive, making our stay even more enjoyable. We were delighted by the delicious homemade food and the delightful homemade jams. The kids had a wonderful experience and absolutely loved it.

I prefer meals that include meat or seafood, as both of the meals provided were vegetarian. Additionally, they are currently experiencing some temporary issues with their Google location. Hence, call ahead before visiting the place so the staff can guide you to the correct location.

Gammaduwa Bungalow is an absolute heaven and one of the highlights from our stay in Sri Lanka. The bungalow is situated in the most beautiful surroundings and the resident dog, cats and stacked library means you'll have a brilliant stay. We only stayed for one night and wished it could have been for longer. Also, try (and buy) their amazing tea!

Nothing - but a note that the property is remote so having a car (or arranging a driver) would be useful if you're staying for longer than a day or two.

Gammaduwa Bungalow is located in a beautiful and quiet neighbourhood. The bed was comfortable. There are several hiking trails nearby.

The 120 year old Heritage Bungalow is overprized and could be better maintained. In addition, the road from Rattota to the bungalow (20 km) is in very poor condition. As there is no restaurant nearby, you have to depend on the food prepared by the English host. For example, I was served tasteless pancakes filled with potatoes and dhal with an English flavour. That's why I only stayed one night. Fortunately, the host allowed me a discount.

Beautiful bungalow with lots of history. Dave and the gammaduwa team made us feel right at home. Stay half board! Insightful chats about Sri Lanka, past and present. Dave came to our rescue on a stormy, wet couple of days on our cycle tour, for which we are so grateful

Beautiful views, peace and quiet

Stayed for 3 nights and this was our favourite place during our Sri Lanka trip. Homely feel and amazing food and service. Enjoyed the library and endless cups of excellent tea. Our room was comfortable and clean, lots of hot water. Wifi worked very well in the library area. Tea tasting was interesting and some nice walks in the area. Thanks to Dave and the staff for a memorable stay :)

Probably the best holiday destination I’ve ever visited. Dave and his staff have served us with delicious food with home made cake and his signature dishes. Also we've been privileged to taste Dave’s Artisan Teas and experience the Tea making process. Beautiful surrounding with excellent misty weather. The Breakfast was exceptional. Sri Lankan favourite string hoppers and the Freshest fruits with Dave's homemade Marmalade and Jams. The best Curd I've ever had. Oh I love the coffee Dave offered!! Super clean rooms and awesome library room with lots of splendid books. Oh we miss Charley so badly.. adorable companion.. :) I would give my highest recommendation and I will definitely visit again! thank you David and the awesome team!