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| Ashley Bungalow Tea Estate Kerala fwdlife.in |
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| Ashley Bungalow Tea Estate Kerala rushhour.travel.blog |
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| Ashley Bungalow Tea Estate Kerala h.avggroup.co.in |
Coffee, Rubber and tea estates (Plantations) became commercial operations across the hill stations in India on account of their suitable climate during the early British rule and the states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka (Kudagu region) were not exceptions.
Th the SW state of South India with tall ghat mountains were chosen by the British to rrn plantations. There are many tea, coffee estates, each with an estate bungalows built by the colonists for the owners and the guests in the midst of the large plantations with ample facilities. The owners were near the estate to keep an eye on the work in progress. The guest houses were for the buyers who would visit the plantations to negotiate business. Most of them reflect the western designs features. The bungalow designs were based on the Bengali huts of Bengal and the English added features like long wrap-around verandas, tall ceilings and large windows and sloping tiled roofs to keep indoors cool and fire places to keep warm in the cold seasons.
In Kerala some of these bungalows follow the local elegant carpentry methods that were based on the old Thachushasthra. Today very few estate bungalows exist and many of them were either converted into a new ones or demolished. Among the estate bungalows in Kerala, the Ashley Bungalow, built in 1875 still carries the legacy of the British and their design in the hills of Kerala.
The Ashley estate bungalow, a single story structure and one of the earliest in this part of Western Ghats - Amrithamedu (which is on the fringe) was built by Henry Baker and his associates. Located in a picaresque site facing east in Idukki District (Elevation of the hill about 3500 ft the bungalow, has a fascinating view down the lush green valley and plains below. It is in the hills of Central Travancore in Peermade village, a secluded quiet place. The bungalow built in English design style (Victorian) with native features that include a series of graceful curves similar to that of a scallop shell' s edge. This kind of scalloped edges can be seen in the façade of a gable in old Indian buildings. The curves and the design styles may vary. Scalloped ledges are said to be a blend of local styles and English architecture. The garden is well landscaped with a green lawn fringed on the side with trees like avocado, grapes, and oranges. Cardamom and other spices are raised in between them. Also included are trees like norfolk, pine, cypress, blue gums, and spathodea.
Fully furnished with old style teak wood furniture with posh sofa, large cots, nice dinning table, tiled and wooden flooring, fireplace in each spacious bedroom (four in number), lofty ceilings, etc make the bungalow look grand in style. The owner A V George and Company, Kerala based company (since 1948) never touched the old design style when restoration was done. The original ambience and decor have been carefully preserved to reflect the lifestyle of the early British planter. To this day, despite a gap f about two centuries these bungalows never fail to radiate their elegance, old world charm; never looks dim and dull. A perfect retreat to relax and indulge in peace and self introspection in a serene place. The nearest railway station is Kottayam, about 70 km from here.
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