Stratford Cottage
The Botanical Gardens in Nuwara Eliya is a short 5-minute drive from Stratford Cottage and is one of the most beautiful parks in Sri Lanka. The gardens are full of flowers and water ponds and also has a restaurant and other facilities in the same location.
The Hakgala Botanical gardens is a short 20-minute drive from Stratford Cottage and is a vast ecosystem of its own and is home to a massive array of plants and foliage that are endemic to Sri Lanka. It is well worth the visit and would be at least a few hours worth of exploration getting lost in nature.
The Seetha Eliya temple is another must-visit place with historical significance as one of the locations the princess Seetha was kept hidden while being held captive by King Ravana. The kovil is en route to Hakgala Gardens, about 5 km from Nuwara Eliya.
The New Zealand and Ambewela Farm is located en route to Horten Planes and is a must-see location. The drive is scenic from the moment you leave Stratford Cottage and you can also visit the Strawberry Farms on the way and make a short pt stop to refresh yourselves and also see the amazing windmills that line up the road en route to the farm. The farm itself is a great experience especially for kids and you can see cattle, rabbits, goats, and also relax while absorbing the beautiful surroundings.
Another must-visit place is Horten Planes which is about 45 minutes' drive passing the highest railway station in Sri Lanka, Pattipola. This is an ideal trip for adventure seekers and is a challenging hike to see World's End as well as Baker's Falls. Entrance to the park is highly regulated and prohibited after 11 am since the hike is about 5 hours and visitor safety is of the highest importance to the authorities.
Other worthwhile places to visit while in Nuwara Eliya are the Grand Hotel Gardens, Monastery in the town where you can purchase Sri Lankan wine, and Jam made by the sisters of the catholic church. Gregory lake where you can take a leisurely boat ride is also one of the must-visit places and only a few minutes' drive from Stratford Cottage. You can also visit Piduruthalagala which is the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka and you have the ability to drive up to the peak. Piduruthalagala is a forest reserve that is maintained by the Sri Lanka Military and therefore entrance to the reserve is monitored by the military and there is a Military Base located at the peak where taking photographs is heavily monitored.
You can also visit the Pedro Tea Plantation en route to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy via Ramboda pass which is another one of the most scenic drives. While at the estate, you can learn about all the processes involved with producing Ceylon Tea as well as indulge in fresh tea and Cake at the cafe while soaking in the beauty of the tea plantations.