heritage · Uva
Adisham Bungalow (St. Benedict's Monastery) — Badulla
Cover photo: Shubham Singla (Unsplash)
- District
- Badulla
- Province
- Uva
- Best for
- History and garden lovers; stone colonial bungalow turned monastery
About this place
Benedictine monastery near Haputale town set in orchards and flower gardens, built in 1931 by Sir Thomas Villiers. Open to visitors on weekends and public holidays roughly 9 AM-4:30 PM with a small ticket; orchard produce and preserves sold at the shop. Reach by tuk-tuk from Haputale; dress modestly as it is an active monastery.
Visitor brief
Good to know before you go
- Open to visitors only on weekends, public holidays and school vacations, roughly 9 AM-4:30 PM; confirm before going as it is an active monastery.
- Small entrance ticket required; only part of the bungalow is shown, the rest is monks' quarters.
- Modest dress (cover shoulders and knees), low voices, no photography inside the building.
- Orchard produce and preserves sold at the shop; carry cash in rupees.
- Haputale is cool and misty; bring a layer even in the dry months.
How to travel there
About 4 km from Haputale town; reach by tuk-tuk or short taxi ride from Haputale. Haputale is on the Colombo-Badulla rail line and the A16/A4 roads, with buses from Bandarawela, Nuwara Eliya and Colombo.
Where to stay
Haputale town: colonial-era bungalows, mid-range hotels and budget guesthouses; Bandarawela (30 min) for more choice.
Nearby places
Haputale town and railway station, Lipton's Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory, Horton Plains National Park (day trip via Ohiya/Bandarawela road), Bambarakanda Falls (near Kalupahana)
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