The town was founded by Samuel Baker
as a hill retreat for the British during the colonial era, where
typical English pastimes including golf, fox hunting, polo and cricket
were played.
Although the town was founded in the 19th century by Englishmen, the
site was frequently visited by native Sinhalese travellers. It has also
been an area of pre-historic human beings as recent archaeological
findings confirm.
Many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period, and
even new hotels are often built and furnished in the colonial style.
The Hill Club is one of the best preserved hotels, and charges
admission for non-residents who wish to wallow in its nostalgia. Many
private homes still maintain their old English-style lawns and gardens.
