Landour with #LeEco: A Photo Essay #ShotonLeMax2
Quiet, quaint and quintessentially British, the charming cantonment of Landour is a movie set straight out of the Raj-era. The 285 km drive takes about six and a half hours from Delhi, making it quite a perfect getaway of sorts from the fast paced city life, over a chilled weekend. Here, you are unlikely to bump into your entire hood in holiday track pants and bling. They would probably be in adjoining Mussoorie setting the Mall Road on fire. So if a more refined experience is your thing, head straight up to Landour. Leave at the crack of dawn and you could probably make it to Emily’s for a lazy lunch.
Landour is where you perfect the art of slow living. Breathe some fresh mountain air, stroll through the clouds along deodar lined walkways, admire the gabled churches and stone walled homes with red tin roofs, stop by at a cafe, greet the locals, cuddle the dogs, walk down to the market, order a pair of handcrafted shoes to be collected the next day, enjoy a drink at the Ale House, stare out at the stars or simply sit back and admire the breathtaking views of Doon valley by night. The unhurried pace will leave you enough time to enjoy some simple pleasures and leisurely moments.
What to do: Hangout with locals and fellow tourists at Char Dukaan; walk up to Sister Bazaar to shop for some handicrafts, cheddar cheese & conserves; and head towards Laal Tibba on a clear evening for the stunning sunset view. In between, you would have Landour covered. You will walk past St. Paul’s Church, Kellogg Memorial Church and a short distance away from Sister Bazaar is the famous Woodstock School. The local Landour Bazaar area is where you could find a few bargains and get those handmade shoes.
Where to Eat: Anil’s Cafe and Cafe Ivy at Char Dukaan, Landour Bakehouse at Sister Bazaar, Emily’s at Rokeby Manor, The Stray Dog Ale House & Stubli at Gol Chakkar.
Go shopping for: Peanut Butter, Fresh Fruit Jams and Cheddar Cheese from A. Prakash & Co. at Sister Bazaar. Local handicrafts from Prakash, maybe. Handmade shoes from Landour Bazaar.
Getting around: The best way to explore Landour is on foot. Just carry an umbrella as the skies leak unannounced. And keep walking. You can also hire cycles at Char Dukaan.
Look out for: Ruskin Bond’s house. If you are lucky you might just spot Landour’s most famous resident by the window. Or out for a stroll.
Staying back? Rokeby Manor, Tabor Cottage, La Villa Bethany, Devdaar Woods and Wolfsburn Estate are excellent options.
Landour image gallery:
