Ashburnham Estate

We stayed at Ashburnham Estate for just one night in July 2025. We stayed as a family of four in the family room. We had a wonderful time and all agreed we wished we'd stayed longer. The place had a real old world charm. Some parts of the estate were a little tired by western standards but it was clean, tidy and the decor was very attractive. The service was impeccable, we felt really well looked after. We had a fabulous dinner, where our vegetarian and vegan family members were well catered for (discussed in advance). Breakfast was also gorgeous sitting out on the terrace. The setting is glorious, set amongst the estates’ 100 acres, 60 of which are traditionally managed tea hills. During our short stay our boys had a little swim in the pool which was fun, we all went on a tea tour with site manager Mr Dassanayake who was full of enthusiasm and knowledge, and I went on a trip down to the waterfall by myself (very steep and full of steps so not good if you have mobility issues). The whole place was so peaceful and serene it felt good for the soul. Highly recommended!

Ashburnham Estate is everything you dream of when imagining a peaceful, boutique escape in Sri Lanka – and more. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the breathtaking setting, nestled amidst rolling hills and lush tea plantations. It has a wonderfully intimate, homely feel, with just the right touch of rustic luxury. We stayed in the family room which was beautifully decorated and incredibly comfortable. The staff were outstanding – warm, friendly, and genuinely couldn’t do enough to make our stay special. The food was delicious – make sure you try the Sri Lankan curry, it was a highlight! We loved sipping drinks by the private waterfall – a magical experience we won’t forget. The tea plantation tour was both educational and fascinating, and added a lovely touch of local culture to our stay. Although we weren’t there for the pool, it’s worth noting that the pool area could benefit from a little maintenance – though this didn’t detract from the overall experience. Our only regret? We only stayed one night. We’d absolutely recommend staying at least two nights to truly soak in everything Ashburnham has to offer. A hidden gem – we can’t wait to return.

Excellent! Lovely place to spend a few nights, the private waterfall/plunge pool on the estate was wonderful, the staff were very helpful and friendly, sitting out on the verandah at sunset (or any time really) was just heavenly. The only negative for me was that meals were a bit pricey