Stafford Bungalow

A Journey Back in Time

A true testimony to the tea plantation heritage

A true testament to the rich heritage of tea plantations, Stafford Estate began as a coffee plantation before transitioning to tea cultivation. The main planter’s bungalow, constructed in 1884, served as the residence for pioneering Scottish tea planters Sir G.H.D. Elphinstone and J. Paterson Sr. This historic bungalow offered them breathtaking views of the estate and its surroundings.

In late 2013, a significant restoration and renovation breathed new life into this charming heritage bungalow, transforming it into one of the most elegant plantation retreats in the country. The renovation beautifully balances the colonial charm and heritage with contemporary design, making Stafford Bungalow a tribute to its founders and a celebration of the tea plantation legacy.

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Accommodation

Heritage Bungalow

Engulf yourself in the colonial charm and classy charisma of the original Scottish bungalow which retains centuries of legacy and offers contemporary comforts

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Owners Cottage

Ideal for families or couples travelling together, to enjoy your company while ensuring your privacy, all against a backdrop of Ragala’s picturesque views.

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Delightful Dining Experiences

The food at Stafford Bungalow, from its signature freshly baked scones and tea cakes at high tea to the village fish curry and the creamy coconut infused drumstick curry, to the chefs recommended continental dining options, is in one word wholesome.

Sustainability

We remain as committed as ever to the environment and our local communities and Increasing investments in energy-efficient infrastructure will help to improve our eco-efficiency system.

Instagram Updates

Step inside Stafford Bungalow and its heritage is all around you. Polished timber floors, antique furniture and carefully preserved details tell the story of this century-old hill country home.

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Step inside Stafford Bungalow and its heritage is all around you. Polished timber floors, antique furniture and carefully preserved details tell the story of this century-old hill country home.

Good food starts with quality ingredients. Our menu highlights the finest local produce, including our Squid Chickpea or the Ricotta Ravioli with locally sourced ingredients. Our chefs will be happy to accommodate special requests – just ask.

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Good food starts with quality ingredients. Our menu highlights the finest local produce, including our Squid Chickpea or the Ricotta Ravioli with locally sourced ingredients. Our chefs will be happy to accommodate special requests – just ask.

With soft linen, warm timber finishes, and garden views beyond the window, you’ll find yourself in no hurry to leave your suite at Stafford Bungalow.

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With soft linen, warm timber finishes, and garden views beyond the window, you’ll find yourself in no hurry to leave your suite at Stafford Bungalow.

The search is over. Book your stay at Stafford Bungalow for the getaway you’ve been craving.

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The search is over. Book your stay at Stafford Bungalow for the getaway you’ve been craving.

Some mornings, the garden gives you a bird before your tea, and some nights, the sky shows you a galaxy. At Stafford Bungalow, you can watch birds one day and stars the next, both feeling like a quiet routine.

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Some mornings, the garden gives you a bird before your tea, and some nights, the sky shows you a galaxy. At Stafford Bungalow, you can watch birds one day and stars the next, both feeling like a quiet routine.

From garden strolls in the morning to meals that stretch into the evening, there are plenty of ways to fill your days at Stafford Bungalow. As for the hours in between, you’ll likely spend more than a little time cooling off on the poolside deck.

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From garden strolls in the morning to meals that stretch into the evening, there are plenty of ways to fill your days at Stafford Bungalow. As for the hours in between, you’ll likely spend more than a little time cooling off on the poolside deck.

One of the best experiences at Stafford Bungalow is walking through the tea gardens at dawn with our superintendent, Periyar Dorey. He has spent over 20 years getting to know every inch of this land. Along the trails, you’ll also meet the tea pluckers whose hardworking hands shape every cup of tea.

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One of the best experiences at Stafford Bungalow is walking through the tea gardens at dawn with our superintendent, Periyar Dorey. He has spent over 20 years getting to know every inch of this land. Along the trails, you’ll also meet the tea pluckers whose hardworking hands shape every cup of tea.

Tuck into a generous breakfast spread, featuring traditional Sri Lankan dishes like egg hoppers and pol roti, alongside freshly baked muffins, toast and fresh locally sourced tea or coffee.

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Tuck into a generous breakfast spread, featuring traditional Sri Lankan dishes like egg hoppers and pol roti, alongside freshly baked muffins, toast and fresh locally sourced tea or coffee.

The gardens at Stafford Bungalow are lovingly landscaped for moments like these. Explore the winding pathways and colourful blooms, and rest in the shade of an old willow tree.

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The gardens at Stafford Bungalow are lovingly landscaped for moments like these. Explore the winding pathways and colourful blooms, and rest in the shade of an old willow tree.

Open up the French doors onto your private patio, breathe in the fresh air, and ease into another serene morning at Stafford Bungalow.

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Open up the French doors onto your private patio, breathe in the fresh air, and ease into another serene morning at Stafford Bungalow.

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FAQs about Stafford Bungalow

What is the dining experience at Stafford Bungalow?

Dining at Stafford is centred on the Garden Pavilion — a semi open, planted space that frames meals within the Bungalow grounds rather than within four walls. The chef grew up in the hill country and brings that proximity to the food: produce sourced close by, preparations shaped by season and availability.

What is the difference between the Heritage Bungalow and the Owner's Cottage?

The Heritage Bungalow is the original plantation house — four rooms set within the 1884 building, with fireplaces, period joinery, and the full character of a working highland estate. The Owner’s Cottage is a more contemporary private retreat within the same estate grounds: two suites, and a terrace that frames the valley.

What is Stafford Bungalow, and what makes it different from a conventional hotel?

Stafford Bungalow sits within a privately owned tea estate established in 1884 in the highlands of Ragala, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. It is a luxury boutique villa. The estate spans 50 acres of working tea fields — still harvested, still producing — set at over 5,000 feet above sea level. Those who come stay in either the Heritage Bungalow or the Owner’s Cottage: six rooms and suites in total, shared across two residences. The scale is deliberate. At any given time, the estate belongs almost entirely to the people staying here.

What facilities does Stafford Bungalow offer?

Stafford Bungalow offers a private pool a heated jacuzzi, the Garden Pavilion for meals and gatherings, estate grounds of 50 acres open to those staying here, and the working tea plantation as both backdrop and experience. Fireplaces are lit in the Heritage Bungalow and Pavillion through the cooler months. What particularly exists is the estate is the peace that comes from a place this age, the clear air at this altitude, and much living history around it.

Where exactly is Stafford Bungalow located?

Stafford Bungalow is situated in Ragala, within the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. Ragala lies at around 5000 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level, in a valley, below Nuwara Eliya town. The estate sits within working tea country — surrounded on most sides by plantation and eucalyptus forest and vegetation, with views across the valley that extend, on clear days, to the far ranges of the highland interior.

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Stafford Bungalow in Nuwara Eliya

Hillside Tranquility

A Journey Back in Time

A true testimony to the tea plantation heritage

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A sanctuary!

Artistina

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Reed Millers

Tantalize your taste buds

Culinery Discoveries

Delightful Dining Experiences

Sustainability

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FAQs about Stafford Bungalow

What is the dining experience at Stafford Bungalow?

What is the difference between the Heritage Bungalow and the Owner's Cottage?

What is Stafford Bungalow, and what makes it different from a conventional hotel?

What facilities does Stafford Bungalow offer?

Where exactly is Stafford Bungalow located?

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