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The spacious building now known as "Pemberley
House" is situated in the magnificent hills of Haputale in Sri Lanka, on a tea plantation 4,000 feet above sea level that commands a panoramic view of the South.
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The Great Basses and Little Basses lighthouses, visible from the upper lawn on a clear day, contribute to a view that is, without exaggeration, 'out of this world', an opinion that has been endorsed many times over by vistors to Pemberley. |
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The House itself, set in 12 acres of lawns and landscaped gardens, provides a restful atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
The climate of Haputale is cool and very pleasent, day-time temperature levels being in the region of 25º Centigrade, falling to 5 to 8 degrees below that at night. Sweaters, cardigans, and light wool shawls are all that are needed as extra clothing. Sri Lanka has a well-organized tourist travel industry, and any expeditions which guests would like to make, e.g. to Udawalawe National Park (1½ hours away) or Yala National Park (2 hours away), or to beaches or archaeological sites, can be arranged with a reputable tourist organization or travel agent. Haputale is ideally situated for this purpose. |
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The story of Pemberley
Pemberley House was originally the plantation bungalow of Viharagala Estate (also known as "Wiharagalle Estate"), a tea plantation incorporating both Ormiston Estate and Wiharagalle Estate in Haputale's tea district. Viharagala had been established in1861 by the British planting family of Sillery, from whom it passed to Evan Ormiston in 1862, and thence to George Smythan Duff in 1896. By the time the Duff Estate Company Limited purchased the property in 1897 for the sum of £10,000, it had been expanded to an extent of well over 1,000 acres. |
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The 8 bedroomed plantation house, re-named "Pemberley" by the present owner, was originally built in 1876. A wide veranda that encircles the front of the house was added in 1911. The present dining room and service pantry were futher additions made in 1948 to render the house more functional without destroying its 'period' character.; The same aim has inspired all subsequent renovations: for example, the bedrooms retain their original fire-places, and the original staff quarters continue functioning today, linked to the main house by a covered stairway that runs along one side of a paved courtyard. |
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In 1963 Viharagala Estate was sold, and a little over ten years later, the main estate was fragmented under the Land Reform Commission in 1974. Dr.Brendon Gooneratne bought the property in 1996, and is its present owner. The bungalow, re-named "Pemberley House" by Dr.Gooneratne, is now on a separate title, with adjoining tea lands. It has its own water supply, and a powerful electrical generator. |
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Rates
Full Board is provided, with the services of a small team of chefs, house stewards and stewardesses. The menu is first class, with limited variations incorporating Eastern and Western cuisine.
No pets are allowed.
Double - US $250 per diem
Single - US $175 per diem
Website: www.pemberlyhouse.com |
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Payment in advance. No credit will be given. There is a small cancellation fee of 15% for cancellation made 10 days of arrival. |
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