Nuwara Eliya, 48km from Tea Trails, was first conceived as a health resort - a 'hill station' in British colonial jargon - about 1825. After Nuwara Eliya was 'discovered' by a British hunting party in 1819, Sir Samuel Baker, the well-known explorer, fell under its spell in 1846 and planning to make it his home, imported to Nuwara Eliya all the appointments of an English country town, including a bailiff, Hereford and Durham cows, and even a blacksmith and a forge.

Others were quick to appreciate Nuwara Eliya's ruggedly picturesque location and soft English-spring climate. In less than 50 years this new town became the first among the Island's hill resorts. Located in the heart of the tea country, the phenomenal rise in importance of this industry also helped to add to Nuwara Eliya's growing reputation.

Both road and rail approaches to Nuwara Eliya are spectacularly beautiful; both routes hug narrow mountain passes to make the 6,000-foot climb in rather terrifying gradients. And in this case, it is as good to arrive as to journey.

The air is cold and intoxicatingly fresh, blowing clean and cold from the high cloud-crowned Pidurutalagala ranges scented with cypress and faintly mentholated, with wild mint and eucalyptus. Deep springy turf, frosted with daisies and pink thrift; hillsides deep in evergreens or golden with gorse. The post-office with its clock-spire is authentic English; so is the war memorial and the lovely old Anglican church. One might almost write an elegy among the mossed and lichened headstones and somber yews.

One doubts whether a more correct and precisely English institution than the Hill Club can ever be found - in England or outside. Old hunting prints, stuffed fish and Constance Spry flower arrangements adorn its dim interiors, gleaming with polished oak. Churchill stares down belligerently from the bar-room wall and Annigoni's first portrait of the Queen still hangs in the lounge.

The jewel in the crown of Nuwara Eliya is the 117-year old 18 hole championship golf course in the heart of the town. The course starts from one corner of the town and is nestled into the valley, between the town and the surrounding forested hills. At 1890 metres above sea level, the course features fir lined fairways & bunkers. The 9th is an island green surrounded by bunkers. Water (rivers) come into play on 6 holes. The course is one of the most naturally scenic in the world.

Par 71 18 holes 6056 yards 5520 metres

(text includes extracts from "Handbook for the Ceylon Traveller", published by Studio Times, Colombo)