Nuwara Eliya

With a name meaning "city of light", picturesque Nuwara Eliya is regarded as one of Sri Lanka's most important tea-producing towns. This is just one of the reasons why it is also affectionately known as "Little England".

Nuwara Eliya was founded by the British in the 19th century as a colonial hill station - mainly due to its favourable climate. Being set high in the hills (though on a plain), the heat was always less intense, and so increasing amounts of administration, along with leisure pursuits - were soon sited here.

Nowadays the British no longer live here, but the town still has a quintessentially British appearance, with pretty hedges and rose gardens marking the boundaries between charming bungalows and grander country houses. Its appearance, which is unique in Sri Lanka, has ensured that it is a favoured tourist destination of the Sri Lankan people as well as for travellers from the rest of the world.