Make some memories at this family-friendly Well House. The mystery, drinkable freshwater for the whole village, overlooking Bonavista bay. Built by a local Moor from the profits of his coconut oil factory to raise his family, the well water served the surrounding village.
Enjoy the Dutch colonial architecture, drink and chat, as a community of artists have done since 1980. Celebrate Galle’s multicultural past in a fusion menu including Chinese, Indian, and Dutch Sri Lankan near Galle Fort.
You are invited to join the queue at The Well House gate and participate in a little-known piece of the history of Galle. The traditional architecture of the Dutch Colonial time contained a secret only known to the local village.
Situated overlooking Bonavista bay, the puzzle of the well remains a mystery. It is the only fresh drinking water well that has never run dry or developed a salt content in the local area. Over a century of service began with the creation of a freshwater well by a merchant family who produced coconut oil in a factory that became one of the largest in Galle.
Don’t rush by to find another outstanding villa. Pause and drink, stay and chat, as the locals and an ex-pat community of artists, actors, musicians, singers, and internationally acclaimed architects namely Knut Husebø, Duran Duran, and Anne Grete Preus have done before you. The Well House stream of living water is here to connect you to the relaxing renewal of tropical paradise.
Of course, you will wander to the nearby beach, laze by the pool and dine in the multicultural cuisine generously provided by the in-house chef. Immerse yourself in the cultural influences at the dining table within the Well House culinary journey and select from Dutch Sri Lankan, Indu Sri Lankan, Chinese Sri Lankan, or Traditional Sri Lankan menus cooked by our in-house chef with fresh local produce.
When it is time to relax out of the sun, the cool interiors of The Well House beckon you. Seek to discover why the artistic community of Europe and the UK have found their place of solace and tranquillity here since the 1980s, far from the stage and winter’s cold.
The Well House location offers the beach, the river, bustling Galle town for shopping and local life, and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed, Galle Fort. Whether it is jewellery, a café, traditional craft or the best preserved Dutch-era Fort in Asia, it is only 5 minutes away.
Restore Your Spirit in Peaceful Sleep
The Bedrooms
It would be easy to dismiss the 3 bedrooms of The Well House if it wasn’t for their history. The recently renovated rooms retain the character they adopted over the past century and a half. Spacious rooms feature their own bathrooms and simple clean lines that reflect the influences of inhabitants over the centuries.
It would be easy to miss history's impact, hidden just below the surface of the stylish renovation that allows you to sleep in air conditioned comfort so close to the beach.
The first bedroom may well have been known as a “Woshi”, under the influence of the great Chinese Admiral who ensured the trading port grew in importance. His establishment of the ancient White Tea Agreement one of the world's oldest commercial arrangements, established between Sri Lanka and the Ming Dynasty still holds validity today.
The importance of this piece of history may be seen in the Galle Maritime Museum and in the tri-lingual plaque erected by Zheng He. A Muslim eunic of the Ming Emperor’s court, his presence in Sri Lanka on the Ming treasure voyages saw him install a puppet king in the southern Kotte Kingdom.
Was bedroom 2 ever known as a “ghurfat nawm, it's Arabic name? Was the influence of Moorish traders brought home after work with the merchant who became very wealthy from his factory's products being exported from the port? We can never know, but we can take time out to consider the impact of sleeping quarters and living quarters over 140 years. As we relax in the space, history's voice is ever there, but never disturbing our relaxation, rest, or quiet enjoyment of Sri Lanka.
The third bedroom presents simple colonial furnishings often seen in Tamil homes. Known as “patukkaiyarai”, bedrooms often slept whole families. The ample space and personalized bathroom allow us to quickly forget the changes various cultures brought with them into everyday life.
Guests' daily journey at The Well House connects us to the local environment with eco-friendly practices long forgotten. Many are so simple they may be overlooked. The swimming pool is never heated, yet always welcoming at exactly the right temperature. Plastic water bottles are never used, well ahead of the global push in many countries to eliminate plastics. Instead, drink fresh pure water from the miraculous well that has served the local community for more than 140 years.
The Well House Culinary Journey
The select guests welcomed by the Villa staff team are invited to join us on a Culinary Journey spanning 2,000 years. Being ‘treated by a local Moor trader’ is recorded from the 14th Century. Each guest received in the port of Galle and the town which grew up around it was introduced to the blended diets of Chinese, Arabic, Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, and English traders who ruled or traded with locals.
We offer a selected menu based on the fusion of each culture’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s tropical cuisine and local produce, fresh fish, eggs, chicken, spices, and plant-based meals. Select a plate. Begin connecting your taste, smell, and sight in each mouthful.
We offer the opportunity to select from 5 menu styles. Individual offerings may vary based on seasonal fruit, vegetables, spices, or even the availability of fish.
Fusion of Tropical Asia
The freshness of the best endemic greens, root vegetables, and unique heritage rice served with introduced vegetables is familiar to regular travelers.
Experience the freshness of pineapple or local spicy mangoes, Sri Lankan climbing spinach, jungle fresh citrus, and seafood fresh from the markets of Galle.
Dutch Sri Lanka
The blending of Holland’s bread and cakes expanded with the use of Sri Lanka’s vast range of spices, from vanilla to nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. The blending of Middle Eastern yeast-free or unleavened bread by the Dutch rulers transformed Sri Lanka’s cuisine into traditional roti and koththu.
Indu Sri Lankan
The Indian traders modified the Chinese blended spices into one of Sri Lanka’s favorite flavors, curry. Chili, white and black pepper created the hot curries which form the basis of the Indu-Sri Lankan menu. Tempering curries with the use of coconut links the two cultures on your plate.
Chinese Sri Lankan
The great Chinese admiral Zheng He placed a plaque inscribed in Chinese, Tamil, and Arabic respecting the major cultures and religions entrenched in the region. Chinese influences in dining reflect the use of local produce cooked in the wok as a deep fryer. The addition of combinations of eggs, spices, oils, and traditional rice brings you into the world of the largest naval fleet in the 14th Century world. Chinese styles of food adapt well to local produce, including coconut and spices.
Traditional Sri Lankan
Traditional cuisine of the inland regions retained its authenticity due to a lack of refrigeration and the need to use local produce on the same day it was picked. Exceptions include dried fish, rice, jackfruit seeds, cashew nuts and spices, and a selection of root vegetables that could be stored for a matter of weeks. Our Sri Lankan specialties ensure the preservation of the seasonal nature of Sri Lanka’s hinterland. The ocean currents and monsoon storms impact the daily catch, reflected in the sardines, shellfish, prawns and octopus available in season.
Bonavista Bay’s peaceful, family-friendly beaches are the closest beach to the Heritage Listed Galle Fort. The Fort’s lighthouse creates a magnificent backdrop to sunset and Sri Lanka’s Jungle Beach is 5 minutes away. The local people are friendly and will do everything they can to ensure you enjoy your stay. Learn about local Sri Lankan village life on a daily basis.
It is easy to miss the impact of local gardens as you wander to the beach. But go with awareness and you will see how coconuts impact on every meal table, provide a host of ancillary products such as ropes, compost and fibre for beds or mats. The Well House displays a time when locally pressed coconut oil was exported globally. The successful local family built the largest oil factory in Galle, which was acquired by Sri Lanka’s largest corporation, Hayleys.
Coconuts will appear in your daily meals, regardless of your menu choices. Only one of the dozens of ancient plants and fruit from the jungle orchard, with just a little guidance your taste buds can experience something new every day of the week. Bananas taste different to the supermarket variety, 10 types of mango, salad greens and roots long neglected in the first world are here to tempt you, grown right in the village gardens.
The Ging Ganga (Galle River) ebbs and flows with the tides and provides another location to swim. If you are in need of a larger pool for your tropical fitness, head down to the Coco Bay Hotel to swim laps at the oceanside pool.
The Well House is set at the foot of Ramasala Hill which rises so suddenly on the edge of the beach that local legend says it is a piece of the Himalaya Ranges, deposited in Sri Lanka by Buddha. Overlooking Galle is the Japanese Peace Pagoda, its stark white stupa in contrast to the jungle and rocks behind it. An excellent early morning fitness walk about 2 km over the hill to Unawatuna where another swimming beach is available to cool off.
Galle Fort is a “must see” attraction. Although the amazing shopping at TPV is easy walking distance on Matara Road, the fort is Asia’s best preserved colonial port. The Dutch Fort is built on top of the Portuguese and Moor ports that preceded it. The stringent building and renovation controls set by UNESCO ensures the fort’s gradual restoration to its Dutch hey-day. The cemetery, Maritime Museum, the Dutch Hospital, Magistrates Square and the Ramparts provide connection to past masters, customs and influences. Mornings or early evenings highlight the best of the fort’s silver jewellery, spices, clothing and traditional home and kitchenware. We are happy to provide you with dozens of dining options to suit your taste or dining budget.
Snorkelling, scuba diving and other water activities are provided at Unawatuna beach. This busy, bustling tourist zone offers many cafes, bars, clubs and restaurants. It is the perfect day out with little time wasted driving for hours
We assist with transport to make life easier. We can arrange a Tuk Tuk or Car / Van and a reliable driver for you to ensure you are safe and secure throughout your stay.
Local busses operate along the Matara Road to Galle (200mtres walk) or south toward Matara. Buses will be crowded, hot, and bustling. Not for the faint-hearted! Heading south on a bus will be an unforgettable experience, whether you head to Sri Yoga Shala or Wijaya Beach, Thalpe Beach, funky, bustling Ahangama, go whale watching at Marisa Beach, or learn to surf at Weligama.
Fares are very reasonable, but always carry correct change as none will be provided onboard. Keep your ticket with you until you exit the bus.
NOTE: Entry via the rear door, exit via the front door. Bus stops are marked with a yellow line on the road, but you always have to flag the driver to ensure they stop. The journey will be loud, fast, and memorable!
We have available drivers for airport transfers which are reliable, cost-effective, and safe. All are air-conditioned cars/vans and are available for extended island journeys.
Tip: Tuk’s should be charged at initial call out Rs. 200, then Rs. 150 per km maximum. Please don't overpay as it upsets the local transport income balance. If you wish to tip, Rs. 100 - 200 is significant in the local framework, even though it is only a few cents in foreign currency.
