Gregory Lake
The Colonial Origins
Gregory Lake, located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, is a reservoir constructed by British Governor by the name of Sir William Gregory in 1873. Gregory Lake used to be a bog back in the day and had been through some times of tribulation. But once it was renovated by Sir Gregory, the lake was later stocked with fish by a Government Agent (C. J. R. Le Mesurier) in 1881 (which accounts for much of the fauna within it); and in 1913, the lake’s water was directed through a tunnel to power a hydro power station, which it continues to do to this day.
Present-day Atmoshphere
Today, it’s a lovely spot for people to relax, with many activities and a massive park lining it. Spanning 225 acres, Lake Gregory is the place to go for water activities in Nuwara Eliya, with the park serving as a great spot for picnics. You can find little ponies trotting along on the grass and boats that you could hire to go out on the lake and enjoy some serenity away from the noise. Jet Skis are also available for hire, and you could take part in some windsurfing here as well!
If you need to get away from the sun, there are private little huts where you can relax, and if you’re hungry, there is no shortage of food stalls in the park, selling you a variety of snacks and local delicacies. If you want to visit the park but you find yourself short for time, there’s no need to worry, because seaplanes can be hired from Colombo that would fly you to Gregory Lake in under 30 minutes!
