The Weir House, Kandy, Sri Lanka

The Weir House sits on a hill in the village of Ulapane, tucked between the towns of Gampola and Nawalapitiya and about half an hour from Peradeniya. Reaching the house requires climbing several steps from the approach road — a gentle reminder that the surroundings here are distinctly upland. Because the property lies within Sri Lanka's Wet Zone, it enjoys generous rainfall year-round, and the reward for that is an enveloping lushness: dense greenery, layered landscapes, and a quietness that settles over everything.

The concept of a single "best time to visit" does not really apply at the Weir House. The climate is pleasant through every season, though Sri Lanka's monsoon falls broadly in May and June and again in October. As in much of the world, weather patterns have grown less predictable in recent years, so conditions can vary from what tradition would suggest.

Accommodation

The house has been designed with unhurried living in mind. Its four bedrooms are each named after a spice cultivated in the surrounding region. Kurundu (Cinnamon), Inguru (Ginger), and Karabu (Cloves) each sleep two guests, while the larger Sadikka (Nutmeg) can comfortably accommodate four. Every room opens directly onto a garden or verandah — well suited to lingering over a morning coffee — and each has an en-suite bathroom with hot-water showers powered by solar energy. The living room is spacious, offers 270-degree views of the landscape, and is equipped with cable TV, a DVD player, and a stereo with an iPod connection.

Gardens and Grounds

Three main gardens make up the immediate grounds, filled with fruit trees and indigenous plants. Mornings bring a chorus of birdsong, and those who rise early are often rewarded with sightings of a wide variety of birds. Benches are positioned in quiet corners throughout the gardens, offering spots for reading or simply sitting with the landscape. A shallow pool fitted with built-in Jacuzzi spouts provides a cool retreat after any energetic daytime activity.

Beyond the formal gardens the property continues uphill, with pathways leading to its furthest reaches. A small-scale pepper and coffee plantation sits within the grounds — the resident gardener is happy to guide guests around it, as well as through the vegetable and indigenous herb gardens.

Cuisine

The house comes with a resident cook, Lesley, whose cheerful presence and homely dishes — richly flavoured with Asian spices and ingredients — are a noted part of the experience. Breakfast offers a choice between western-style omelettes or waffles and Sri Lankan rotis or hoppers. Dinner is typically a three-course meal that weaves together eastern and western elements. For guests staying in for lunch, Lesley's Sri Lankan rice and curry is not to be missed. The pantry is also kept well stocked and fully equipped, welcoming any guest who feels inspired to cook.