In 1819, Sir Edward Barnes, adjutant to the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo arrived, at the shores of this tropical island, as the fifth Governor of Ceylon. During an Elephant game hunting party led by Dr John Davy, news of this “ City of Light’s “ 36F climate reached Sir Edward Barnes. His intrigue led him to visit the province, and his enchantment with the beauty of it led him to commission the roadway to reach Nuwara Eliya, making it more accessible to residents of the island. Gradually converting this charming misty mountain village, to a model British village.
It was a mere two years later, in 1828 that he fell deeply in love with the beauty, culture and serenity of this island nation and began building his holiday home – Barnes Hall. This holiday home has now become the regal mansion known as The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.