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Nilambur is renowned for the oldest teak plantation in the world, the Conolly's Plot, just 2 km from town. The place is also noted for its tribal settlements, the world's first Teak Museum, vast rain forests, waterfalls and ancient kovilakoms - residences of maharajas.

The teak plantation is named after H.V. Conolly, the Malabar District Collector during the British rule, who was instrumental in planting teak in the entire Nilambur area. Chathu Menon, a forest officer under Conolly, organised the hectic task of planting the saplings. Chathu Menon was laid to rest in the teak garden in Conolly's Plot.

The oldest teak tree, Kannimari, is a rare attraction at the Conolly Plot. The plot extends across 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode, where a country boat ferries visitors across.

The teak museum of Nilambur, near the well-known Conolly Plot, is worth visiting. Established by the Kerala Forest Research Institute in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department, it is a thematic museum housing historical, cultural and aesthetic aspects of teak, all under one roof.

A collection of bamboo trees on the way to the museum imparts a special beauty to the place. The carved teak door at the entrance of the museum has a painting of the Kannimara teak. It is the oldest living teak tree in the world located in Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary in the district of Palghat, Kerala. It is 47.5 m tall with a girth of 642 cm.

Among the several exhibits displayed here, the root system of a mature teak tree is perhaps the most interesting of all. Paintings on the walls remind one of the early histories of teak planting. The miniature model of an antique sailing vessel made of teak wood and a painting of a sailing ship are the other attractions. Logs of a 116-year-old tree have also been preserved. At present the price of this single tree is Rs. 300,000. The museum presents scientific information and exhibits on various aspects of teak. A world literature on teak is available in the library.
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Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Nilambur is the terminus of the Shornur - Nilambur railway line.

Nearest airport: Kozhikode, about 26 km from Malappuram town.

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