Tiffin Top Garden, also known as Dorothy’s Seat, is a popular tourist attraction in Nainital, Uttarakhand. It is a terraced hilltop garden that offers a panoramic view of the town, the Naini Lake and the surrounding hills. The garden is named after Dorothy Kellett, an English painter who used to sit here and paint the beautiful scenery. Visit During Nainital Local sightseeing.
Location of Tiffin Top Garden
The garden is located on Ayarpatta Hill, about 4 km from the Mall Road of Nainital. It can be reached by a trek of about 3 km or a horse ride of about 1.5 km from the base. The trek is steep and rocky, but rewarding with scenic views and fresh air. The horse ride is more comfortable and convenient, but costs around Rs. 500 per person.
Timing/Entry Fees Tiffin Top Garden
The garden is open from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm every day. There is no entry fee for visiting the garden. However, there is a nominal charge for using the telescope facility, which is Rs. 20 per person.
How to Reach Tiffin Top Garden
The garden can be easily reached by road from Nainital and other nearby towns. There are regular buses and taxis available for Nainital from Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar and other places. From Nainital, one can take a local bus, taxi or rickshaw to Bara Pathar, where the trek or the horse ride to the garden starts.
Alternatively, one can also take a cable car from Mallital to Snow View Point, which is about 2 km from the garden. The cable car service costs Rs. 100 per person for a round trip and operates from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Things to Do/Must See Tiffin Top Garden
The garden is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Nainital. The garden has a stone bench and a stone pillar that mark the spot where Dorothy Kellett used to sit and paint. The bench is called Dorothy’s Seat and the pillar has a plaque with her name on it.
The garden also has a telescope that allows visitors to get a closer look at the Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Kot. The telescope operator can also guide visitors about the names and features of the peaks.
The garden is also ideal for photography, as it offers stunning views of the sunrise and sunset over the lake and the hills. The garden is also surrounded by oak, deodar and pine trees that add to its charm.
Significance of Tiffin Top Garden
The garden has a historical and cultural significance as it was built in memory of Dorothy Kellett by her husband Col J.P. Kellett in 1936. Dorothy Kellett was an avid painter who loved Nainital and its scenery. She died in a plane crash while travelling to England with her children.
The garden was later developed by the locals as a picnic spot and named Tiffin Top after people started to have lunch here. The garden is also a popular spot for adventure activities such as rappelling and rock climbing that are conducted by local operators.
FAQ’s
Q: What is the best time to visit Tiffin Top Garden?
A: The best time to visit Tiffin Top Garden is from March to June and September to November, when the weather is pleasant and clear.
Q: How long does it take to visit Tiffin Top Garden?
A: It takes about 1-2 hours to visit Tiffin Top Garden, depending on how much time one spends in enjoying the views and exploring the garden.
Q: Is photography allowed inside Tiffin Top Garden?
A: Photography is allowed inside Tiffin Top Garden and there are no restrictions on using cameras or mobile phones.
Conclusion
Tiffin Top Garden is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to experience the scenic and serene beauty of Nainital. The garden is not only a place of relaxation but also a place of adventure and culture. The garden is a tribute to Dorothy Kellett, who captured the essence of Nainital in her paintings.
