Lipton’s Seat.

Lipton’s Seat in Haputale is a
favourite among road-trippers looking for a mountain view vacation. This tea
plantation marked the beginning of tea exports from Sri Lanka and if you’re
there on a clear day, it’s got a breath-taking view. 

Lipton

It’s called Lipton’s Seat
because it’s where Thomas Lipton sat down with a cuppa and proudly looked over
the fruits of his endeavors. Or that’s how the story goes. The Scottish
businessman started out in Sri Lanka in the late 1800s, when British
colonization made it easy, buying several tea plantations and setting Tamil Indian
workers to work on them. Lipton Ceylonta, his brand of tea, was then born, and
marketed and exported all over the world. The stuff leaves Lipton’s Seat on Dambatenna Estate and
goes to countries worldwide today. 

This was actually a part of a tour organized by Lipton Ceylonta during their re-launch which was held at the premises of  SirThomas Lipton’s Bungalow, which is where we came across the narly photo of him. Lipton’s Seat had been where Sir Thomas Lipton had gone to get some alone time, invite friends for a cup of tea or just to relax.

Haputale itself is a grueling seven
hours from Colombo in your own vehicle. If you survive the endlessly meandering
roads to this part of the country, getting up to Lipton’s Seat is another
journey on its own, up a ridiculously narrow road, sometimes having to
negotiate with other vehicles on the same path. Although, all along you get an
increasingly beautiful view of the plantations and the blue mountains in the
distance. The best time to be here is early morning, at around 8AM, before the
fog gets in your way.

On the way up, you’ll see plenty
of hand-painted signage featuring lines in English that preach kindness to
wildlife (like ‘animals are a sacred trust to us, they cannot speak for
themselves’), and white scribbles on the rocks in Tamil encouraging
people to vote (this time it was for Aravind Kumar).

The People

The tea plantation is home to a
large community, of mostly Tamils – generations who’ve lived and settled here
starting from Lipton’s plantation workers who were made to migrate from South India.
The plantation workers have a complex history of their own, denied Indian
citizenship and Sri Lankan citizenship for decades, till they were finally
granted Sri Lankan citizenship in the 1990s. Even today they suffer from low
wages and long hours of work on the estate while tea corporations reap from their
labour.

If you’re here in the morning
you’ll catch children of the plantation workers in uniform heading to school
and the tea-pluckers, all women, lining up and setting off to work on the hedges. There’s a kovil
that sticks out among the green quiet of the estate, serving the majority of
Hindu Tamils in the community.

The Views

The view in Haputale is nuts.
If you’re looking for a peaceful, picturesque holiday – with fresh air, rolling
green hills, the whole works – Haputale is the place to be. Lipton’s Seat is
worth hiking up to when you get there.

We set off from Olympus Plaza
Hotel, which is near the Haputale railway station much like many of the other
hotels, at about 7AM and reached the top of Lipton’s Seat in about two hours.
If you’re a city person, the green plains, the sky and the mountain range here
can blow your mind – it’s beautiful, and if you’re a photographer, you’re probably
going to wear out your camera.

At the top of Lipton’s Seat is
now literally an actual seat with a statue of Thomas Lipton on it, with a cup
in his hand. Like the Ronald McDonald statue, this statue is just asking for
hilarious selfies to be taken with it. From here you get a spectacular view of the
Uva, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern provinces – hills and sky for
miles on end. You can also buy a packet of Lipton Ceylonta from a little shop
here.

By about 10AM, clouds may come
rolling in and suddenly everything that was so vivid and colourful a moment ago
will be just a big white space. This is actually my favourite part – it’s like
being in a Samuel Beckett play.

Lipton’s Seat and Haputale in general is one of our favourite places on the island to watch the sunrise and sunset. It gets pretty magical. 

Other Stuff In The Neighborhood

Besides kicking back and
enjoying the scenic beauty, there isn’t much to do in Haputale.

There is the Dambatenna Tea
Factory in the area, in case you’re something of a tea connoisseur. You’ll find some gorgeous hill-country flowers on the immaculate tea factory lawn. As you
walk inside it’s like a film from the 1980s – everything from the machinery to
the costumes. Pay a small touring fee and they will show and tell you everything
you need to know about tea. But be warned, you are going to be smelling,
inhaling and feeling so much tea in here that you will probably not want to have
anything to do with tea for the next month.

The best activity while you’re in these parts, we’d say, is to go wandering through the hills – arrange a little early
morning hike with your hotel.

Conclusion

Lipton’s Seat is where you go
to get away from it all. If you’ve been having a crazy month and you’re looking
for a quiet rest and some of the most beautiful views on the island, it’s a
great visit.  

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Sri Lanka’s First Hotpot Conveyor Belt Launches at We Ai Family in Colombo

Colombo has just welcomed an exciting new culinary experience with the launch of Sri Lanka’s

Highlights Kamu Trending

A Vintage Affair at Sky Lounge

An Evening of Fine Wine and an Italian Touch The Kingsbury, Colombo, invites you to

Highlights Kamu Trending

Taste the World: 7 Cuisines in 7 Days

Are you craving a culinary adventure? 7 Cuisines in 7 Days is your ultimate guide

Highlights Kamu Trending

The Avenue, Colombo – Review

From the moment you walk in, the space offers a sense of comfort. Its simple

Highlights Kamu Trending

7 Fine Dining Restaurants You Must Try in Colombo

Sri Lanka’s culinary scene is rapidly evolving, blending its rich heritage with global gastronomic trends.

Highlights Kamu Trending

Tea Trails & Tastes: : Best Eats in Nuwara Eliya and Ella.

By Fathima Rukaiya, Let’s take a flavorful journey through the culinary landscapes of Ella and

Highlights Kamu Trending

Trending.

Churros at The Kingsbury Celebrates World Chocolate Day

The Kingsbury Colombo's beloved pâtisserie, Churros, marked World Chocolate Day in true decadence with an

Highlights Trending

Sri Lanka’s First Iris Photography Experience by Eye Craft

On June 29th, the iconic Virticle by Jetwing hosted the grand launch of Eye Craft,

Trending

Hilton Named Best Workplace in Sri Lanka

This milestone marks the first time the hospitality company is recognized as the top employer

Trending

Bello Beach Bar by Browns Hotels & Resorts Redefines Coastal Leisure on Sri Lanka’s East Coast

Pasikuda’s coastline, known for its calm waters and untouched beauty, welcomed a refreshing new addition

Trending

MasterChef Franchise Makes Landmark Debut in Sri Lanka with Star-Studded Launch

Global culinary hit commissioned in 71 territories following latest Banijay Rights dealRs 3 Million, a

Trending

Sri Lanka’s Most Acclaimed Japanese Restaurant, Nihonbashi, Celebrates 30 Years

Marking three decades of popularizing "Washoku" in Sri Lanka, Chef Dharshan Munidasa’s flagship restaurant celebrates

Trending

Yamu Guide.

A Curated List of 9 Japanese Restaurants in Sri Lanka

1.Salmon and Maki - Thalawathugoda Japanese Fusion Cuisine 11.00 AM - 10.30 PM (everyday) Visit:

Highlights Yamu Guide

Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka (Including Hidden Gems)

By Fathima Rukaiya, There are many beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka, but are you unsure

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

The 2025 High Tea Round-Up

Looking for the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing high tea? Whether you're into sweet

Highlights Yamu Guide

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025

By Linara Wimalaweera Father's Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and influence of

Yamu Guide

Top Must-Try Restaurants in Ahangama for 2025

Ahangama, a charming surf town on Sri Lanka's southern coast, is becoming a popular spot

Highlights Yamu Guide

8 Gift Ideas to Celebrate Your Mom This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a special time set aside to honor the amazing women who shape

Yamu Guide