“Where to next” - Digana (Victoria Golf & Country Resort)
November 9, 2022
The first in our series looking at Sri Lankan locations less considered. We head to Digana, for mountains, lakes, and green fairways.
If the latest, thankfully short-lived, lockdown, had you yearning (once again!) for green open spaces, consider the pristine surrounds of the Victoria Golf & Country Resort, near Digana.
4 hour’s drive from Colombo (on a decent day!) a little to the east of Kandy, the estate was conceived in the mid-’90s; a testament to grand imagination and recognition of the serene lifestyle potential of this slice of the Central Province.
On a headland reaching into the Victoria Reservoir, just over 500 acres were allocated for the estate - with plans for two principal villa developments (Coconut Hill and Eagles Ridge) and a striking 18 hole golf course.
Now well-established, the course is considered one of the finest in south Asia; a partnership with Troon International since 2019 only enhancing its reputation.
The number of villas has grown gradually - now approaching 70 in total. Those villas line the contoured hillside of Coconut Hill and the winding Coconut Ridge.
Few lack for spectacular views; many engineered creatively to maximise that potential. Given those challenges, a preference for functionality over delicate form perhaps characterised the first wave of houses built.
More subtly styled homes have been built since and other new developments continue to add to the variety. Haritha House, shown above, makes use of every ray of sunshine with floor to ceiling glass in its open plan living and dining room that sits almost in the tree canopy.
Prime bare plots are increasingly hard to find, although there is talk of new strips being released. A secondary market for completed villas is now attracting more and more attention.
Whilst numbers grow gradually, the estate remains a beautifully quiet anomaly in a relatively bustling part of the island.
Kandy is within 45 minutes drive, whilst Digana provides basic amenities. The closest Government hospital is at Teldeniya - around 20 minutes by car. Asiri opened its Kandy hospital in 2019.
Social activity focuses around the golf club, with competitions, dinners and a reliable Friday night gathering at the bar for estate stalwarts.
Dining options do not abound but few head to Victoria in search of culinary thrills. Geniune gourmands may want to head to nearby resort Santani for food that’s very much admired. What the likes of The Ablatross may lack in Michelin stars, though, they more than make up for in their setting.
Considerations for those looking to buy…
Water levels in the Victoria Reservoir can go down fast (and come back fast). Channels with steeper banks appear to show less variation in water level.
While considerable now, driving times to Colombo will reduce hugely as and when the Central Expressway completes. Property prices will likely appreciate too.
Opportunities do exist outside the estate and perch price can be lower. Such properties offer less certainty in terms of nearby development.
Properties are typically purchased on leasehold with the original 99 year lease running from 1996.