There is nothing quite as alluring or enchanting as a living abode that whispers stories of history, legend and antiquity. Nestled in the cozy bosom of picturesque tea plantations, Stafford Bungalow is where the echoes of history can be heard from every stone, every pillar and even the very land upon which it stands.
To truly begin to comprehend the saga of this heritage residence, one must turn the pages of the nation’s history books given the subtle yet undeniable connection between the two.
The island of Sri Lanka has always been a siren call to those beyond the sea. From the time of its earliest settlements, this land has enjoyed an unfair advantage in terms of resources, from the scented quills of real cinnamon that so freely grow in our forests to the regal blue sapphires that are unearthed from the river beds. However, the simplest yet strongest gift we proudly present to the world is undisputedly the magical concoction derived from the most sought after two leaves and a bud.
Tea could easily be called the lifeblood of Sri Lanka. Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the bitter berries that perished in a catastrophic blight, and nourished with care and parent-like passion by the British, led by James Taylor, tea has been Sri Lanka’s identity for more than 150 years.
And in a country renowned for its tea, Stafford Bungalow is one of the colourful threads that, once woven together, showcases the beautiful and vivid story of the greatest beverage in the world.
The story of Stafford Bungalow unfolds in conjunction with that of the 50-acre Stafford Estate – once a much larger thriving coffee plantation owned by Ceylonese-loving Englishman George Wall, later converted to grow the revolutionary tea bush in 1880 by Scottish planters Sir G. H. D. Elphinstone and J. Paterson Snr. With a legacy of a rich line of owners who took turns managing and nurturing this bountiful plantation, Stafford Estate thrived in its harvest, and continues to do so under its current owners.
While the estate is irrefutably the elixir of life that nourishes and adds glory to Stafford Bungalow, the latter tells its own tale of colonial plantation life, having been the home of a long list of planters, each of whom toiled to ensure that the ground they stand upon produces the best cup of golden brew.
First built in 1884 to be the private home of Elphinstone and Paterson Snr, the bungalow is today a luxuriously modern yet subtly colonial boutique villa where guests can relive the glory days of Ceylonese plantations and experience the lifestyle of tea planters. From early morning walks to witnessing the delicate art of plucking tea leaves to familiarising themselves with the learned art of tea tasting, life at Stafford Bungalow is a journey back in time; a journey where every step offers a story to be discovered and every minute an encounter to cherish.
On the first leg , The Beyer Garratt Narrow Gauge Articulated Locomotive was inaugurated to take the steep journey from Ragala to Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya ) to be connected to the regular rail service to Port of Colombo.
This arduous leg of the journey was supported by The narrow gauge (2’6”) articulated Garratt steam locomotive Class H1 (No. 293) which arrived in Ceylon, freshly minted in 1929, and was rolled out on the tracks in July 1930.
Built by Beyer Peacock & Company of Great Britain, Class H1 (No. 293) had a wheel arrangement of 2-4-0+0+4-2T and weighed 39.2 tons. Its superheated boiler released 175 lbs of pressure. The 41.5 feet-long Beyer Garratt narrow gauge articulated locomotive with 15800 lbs of tractive effort was the first And the only one of its kind in Ceylon.
When the Ragala to Nanuoya service was closed down in 1948, this unique engine was used by the Kelani Valley narrow gauge railway until 1968, when it was condemned scrapped and sold, ending its classic service of 38 years.
