Gregory Lake Nuwara Eliya - Everything You Need To Know
When your body and mind really looks for a break, Gregory Lake is the perfect getaway. It is a place of tranquility by the side of calm green waters, amidst the lush green of the surrounding hills, under the clear blue skies.
Gregory Lake is located at the southern end of Nuwara Eliya city. Its spectacular view has made it a popular tourist attraction.
One should never miss this place where you can embrace nature, mingle in and stay unseen.
Gregory Park
Lake Gregory with the public park is the center of attraction for the tourists visiting Nuwara Eliya; the Little England of Ceylon.
Gregory Park has splendid landscaping with benches, shade structures such as sun shades or little huts, beautiful lighting arrangements, arches and bridges which are neatly maintained.
It has also been a popular film / photo location in Sri Lanka and both local and foreign travellers cherish a few photographs in this beautiful location.
Gregory Park - an ideal picnic spot
Gregory Park is an all inclusive picnic spot. You can either have a leisurely walk, enjoy the lake view, sit on the grass and have a chat.
I would rather gaze at the surrounding green hills or keep my eyes closed while enjoying the cool breeze that sweeps through the misty hills.
One would also opt to have some fun going on a boat ride or so.
Gregory Park has a path for cycling and it also has a small play area for children and hence excellent for family outing as well.
This serene green paradise curtained with mist-covered mountains is popular with travelers as a perfect escape to have a peaceful time with your loved ones.
A Stroll in the Gregory Park
The calm waters of the Lake set the scene for a leisurely walk.
A walk along the beautifully maintained walkways while enjoying the cool fresh air is always food for inner peace.
The surrounding green hills provide a picturesque backdrop to the lake and the park and create a perfect natural scenic beauty.
Further, the cool climate keeps you refreshed throughout.
A variety of colourful flowers and plants alongside the pathway makes it a heavenly place for the strollers seeking peace of mind.
Activities at Gregory Park
For those who love a little bit of adventure and activity while enjoying the serene atmosphere, this place does not put you in despair.
There are many recreational activities that await you here. Pony riding, cycling, boat riding and Jet skiing are some of them.
Gregory Lake Boat Ride
You can enjoy riding paddle boats in the shape of swans or motor boats. It is fascinating to have a ride around the lake to enjoy a holistic view of the entire surroundings.
Gregory Lake Pony / Horse Ride
You can enjoy a pony ride for a small fee on the pavement along the main road. Most of the time, you can negotiate the prices. Not only the kids, adults also enjoy this depending on the weight of the grownups and the size of the pony.
Lake Gregory - Bird Sanctuary
Gregory Lake - Bird Sanctuary is Home for many indigenous bird species and a small space for bird watching lovers. The best time to visit is ealy in the morning.
Lake Gregory - Restaurants
There are many fast food stalls inside the park which offer snacks and fast food items. Though there are many stalls, almost all of them offer the same varieties.
Lake Gregory - Hotels
Most of the hotels in the area feature views of Gregory Lake. By the side of the main road, just above the park, you can see many beautiful hotel buildings of Colonial architectural design with old-English style gardens in them, resembling a little England in Sri Lanka.
It is only a brief walk from most of the hotels to the park which is quite advantageous since you can visit the lake either early morning before starting your daily tours or in the evening at the end of your day tours.
Lake Gregory - Nuwara Eliya - Best time to visit
The locals prefer to visit this place during April which is the peak time where the park becomes a very busy place. If you love tranquility, you can avoid April. However, weekdays and early mornings are tranquil even at peak times.
Sunrise creates a magnificent painting of nature in this place.
The experience during the evening is equally fascinating since it gives you a totally different feeling. When the park and the area is lit up the lake takes a different form of beauty. At times, mist fully takes over during the evening.
Gregory Park - during April New Year Season
The park is at its full bloom in April. Gregory Park Carnival is full of activities during April. The locals make it a point to visit this place at least once a year, especially in the month of April. However, this place is quite busy during this time.
If you prefer to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings, April New Year Celebration is not the time for you. However, the celebrations would give you the opportunity to experience many cultural activities and to take part in traditional Sri Lankan sports which will amaze you and keep you entertained.
How to reach Gregory Lake Nuwara Eliya
The quickest is to take a sea plane from Colombo which will take only around 30 minutes. You can also take a bus from Colombo Fort which will take around 5 hours to cover a distance of about 171 Km via Avissawella- Hatton - Nuwara Eliya road (A7). It is only a few minutes walk from the city center or you can take a tuk tuk to the park.
If you go by train, take the Colombo /Badulla train “Udarata Menike” at the Kotuwa Railway Station and enjoy the scenic beauty on the way. You will have to get down at Nanu Oya station and there is a distance of 8 km from there to Nuwara Eliya. You can take a tuk tuk from there.
Gregory Lake - Nuwara Eliya Entrance Fee
- Entry Fee : LKR 20
- Bicycle: LKR 100 per hour
- Swan pedal boat: LKR 500
- Pony ride: LKR 300 for 15 minutes
Prices may change from time to time. You can contact the park more information.
Gregory Lake - Parking Facilities and Open Hours
There is ample parking space. Usually, you get to park your vehicle easily there for a small parking fee. However, there can be exceptions during the high peak times.
The park is open all 7 days throughout the day.
Gregory Lake - Facts
This location was originally a wetland and later transformed to the present day lake. The Lake has been sourced from the Thalagama stream which originates from Mount Piduruthalagala; the highest mountain of Sri Lanka. The surface area is around 225 acres.
Gregory Lake - History
Gregory Lake is a reservoir which was constructed between 1873 to 1877, during the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory and the lake has been named after him. The lake was originally created to generate electricity during the time of expansion of the town. It was also used for water sports during British times.
Tips - Visit to Gregory Lake Nuwara Eliya
If you visit during the peak season, you will have to prearrange and reserve your accommodation since you might find it difficult to arrange accommodation due to crowds.
