To most Sri Lankans a visit to Anuradhapura is a pilgrimage, inspiring but crowded. To visitors to Sri Lanka it’s an ’ancient city’ with a surfeit of incredible stupas and exquisite stone carvings. But to really experience Anuradhapura is to discover its quiet spots. Finding a peaceful, serene place to stay is often the toughest part of a visit to Anuradhapura. On the shores of the Tissawewa, set in a large tree-filled garden, is a small elegantly simple bungalow that reflects the serenity of Great Stupas (Ruwanweli, Jetawanaramaya and Mirisawetiya) that can be seen, day and night, across the water. Designed and cared for as a family holiday home, Water’s Edge and all its serene comforts are now open to visitors.
The elegant open plan bungalow has 3 rooms and 2 toilets (with hot water) which can accommodate a maximum of 8 adults.In keeping with our philosophy of minimising energy usage all our bedrooms have fans rather than air conditioning.
The dining and living area opens out to the garden which rolls down to the Tissawewa. Custom prepared Sri Lankan and western meals will be served in the dining area. Tea, coffee and drinking water is provided free of charge. Separate driver’s quarters are available.
A few minutes out of the bungalow gate and along the red earth village road brings you to the bund of the TissaWeva, one of the great irrigation lakes of the ancient city. The walk along the bund at dawn or dusk with the Stupas across the water, birds and village life around, is a treat in itself. If you are a birder, the Jaya Ganga flowing behind the bungalow offers excellent sightings. Over 80 species of birds have been sighted along the water and the garden of the Bungalow. For day trips out of town, the Bungalow is 45 minutes from Wilpattu National Park, 1 hr from Tantrimale with its rock carved statues, and 45 minutes and the little visited ruins of Hasthakutchchi.