Nilambur is home to the most renowned oldest teak plantation, Connolly’s Plot, so named in honour of H.V. Conolly, the then Collector of Malabar, who was instrumental in planting teak across the Nilambur area. Located just two kilometers from Nilambur town, Conolly’s plot spreads over an area of 2.31 hectares, beside the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode. Conolly was assisted in this task of setting up the teak plantation by Shri Chanthu Menon, a subordinate forest officer. Conolly’s plot was raised about a hundred and fifty years ago around 1842-1844 and hence becomes the oldest ever teak plantation in the world. Apart from being known for its tribal settlements, Conolly’s plot houses a rare attraction, the oldest living teak tree, Kannimara, which stands at an imposing 46.5 metres. Also, as a mark of honour and respect, Shri Chanthu Menon was laid to rest at this very teak garden. Ancient in its history and rich in its cultural heritage, Conolly’splot is a must visit site once in Nilambur.

Apart from the oldest teak plantation, Nilambur also boasts of the oldest teak museum, located just 4km from the town, on the Nilambur – Ooty state highway. A must visit place, this thematic teak museum was established by the Kerala Forest Research Institute in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department. The teak museum houses cultural, historical, scientific and aesthetic aspects of teak and anyone visiting this museum has access to learning all these features of teak under one roof. Regarded as the first of its kind and the only one in India, this teak museum has an added specialty, a collection of bamboo trees that welcome you to the museum. The carved teak door at the entrance has a painting of the Kannimara teak, the oldest living teak tree. A fascinating abundance of exciting information on this wonder tree attracts a multitude of tourists to the museum. Among other exhibits, the most interesting is a life-size replica of the trunk and root system of the largest known teak tree in the Malaytoor region. Logs of ancient trees have been preserved and a world of literature is available in the library.

Lush green forest tracts, medicinal plant garden, ferns and orchids, and an exclusive butterfly park are what make up part of the five-acre large Bio Resources Nature Park in Nilambur, situated just four kilometers from the town. Apart from being the first of its kind in the country, the Bio Resources Nature Park also has several conservation theme areas with special importance given to endemic and endangered species of Kerala. A walk through this nature park will give you the golden opportunity to see and witness live specimens, learn about their habitat, understand the ecological, social and cultural importance of different plants. Set up at a cost of approximately 40 lakh rupees, this park has areas for thallophytes like algae and macro-fungi; bryophytes; pteridophytes; xerophytes, aquatic, medicinal, ornamental and aesthetic plants like orchids, palms and the like. The collection of plants known as germplasm is beneficial to those engaged in conservation and management of plant biodiversity. Strategically located adjacent to the Teak Museum, the Bio Resources Nature Park at Nilambur is a must visit.

Renowned for its splendid variety of flora and fauna is the famous rain forest called Nedumkayam, situated about 18 kilometres from Nilambur town. Characterized by rich rain forests overflowing with extensive plant and wild life, Nedumkayam boasts of wooden rest houses built by the British, that offer a panoramic view of wild elephants and deer grazing in the nearby forests. A rare sight for people living in this part of the country, tourists can take advantage of this golden opportunity and enjoy exciting views of elephants and deer grazing in the wild. Added attractions include the elephant taming centre located nearby, currently not operational. Elephants are a populous majority in the forests of Nilambur and thus centers that cater to training, taming and protecting these animals become important. One needs to obtain permission from the Kerala Forest Department in order to enter this highly secure and protected forest zone.

Nestled in the land of fresh perennial springs and lush green mountains, Adyanpara is famous for its waterfalls and for the splendor of the wooded jungle surrounding it. This cascading waterfall, a spectacle of unrivalled grandeur, attracts an impressive variety of exotic and migratory birds regularly and is steeped in rich wildlife. The wild beauty of this spectacular waterfall makes it a picturesque picnic spot amidst nature’s bounty. Myth has is that the water in Adyanpara waterfall is purified and has natural medicinal properties. The reason being each drop of this water is filtered by the soil and the water is in direct contact of medicinal plants, their leaves, roots and outer parts. The Kerala Government has proposed to use Adyanpara waterfalls as a source of electricity generation .The water from the waterfalls is being used by surrounding villages for the purpose of agriculture. The rejuvenating sound of water cascading from such a height and the relaxing green forests around are a rare treat to the eye and heart of anyone visiting this waterfall.