Janet's Journal

Go a few kilometres inland from Bentota and down a winding side road and you will find a strange sculpture pointing to the ornate gateposts marking the entrance to a magical, five acre tropical paradise garden created by Bevis Bawa.

Bevis was the elder brother of Geoffrey Bawa the renowned architect.  He was born in April 1909.  His father, of Burgher and English parentage, was a wealthy and successful lawyer.  His mother, Bertha Schrader, was of German, Scottish and Sinhalese descent. His younger brother was Geoffrey Bawa the renowned architect.

In 1929 Bevis was bequeathed the family rubber plantation by his mother.  The estate was named Brief due it being purchased by his father with funds from a successful legal brief.

Bevis was artistic and didn’t want to run a plantation, so he focused instead on creating a garden clearing all the original trees and plants and starting from scratch.  Originally 200 acres Bevis sold portions of the estate to make it more manageable.  

Going through the gateposts the path leads to two further entrances.  One is a black and white door set in a mustard yellow wall this opens onto a curved staircase leading up to the house.

The second is a gate opening to reveal a path which winds down into the garden.

The first tree he planted was a Temple Tree, Frangipani, on a high point and the house and garden was planned around this. Elements of Italian gardens are in evidence too.

Narrow paths meander through verdant tropical growth.  Creepers festoon walls, steps lead to sudden open spaces or secluded seats.

An Australian artist, Donald Friend, came to visit in 1956, staying until 1962.  The two men worked creatively together landscaping the estate.  Bevis sculpted from Donald’s drawings producing anthropomorphic flower vases, a Bacchus bird bath and various fantastical heads all of which are strategically placed throughout the gardens.

Bevis was an expert plantsman and he pioneered the creation of outdoor spaces using just one species densely planted.  Bamboo frames the water terrace, its leaves swaying in the breeze.

Arriving back at the house, the grand vista looking across miles of land to the west was planned so that Bevis and his guests could watch the magnificent sunsets over the hills.

A guide leads you through the house, pointing out the old Dutch furniture, family photographs, and an eclectic mix of paintings and sculptures from, or inspired by Bevis’ travels and Donald.  Garden rooms contain an outdoor shower, others are furnished with sculptures.

Opened to the public in 1969 the garden was already famous having hosted several members of European royal families and stars of stage and screen.

Bevis never married and he left the house and garden to head gardener and landscape designer Dooland De Silva.

Entrance fee for house and garden is Rs2,000