Property Description
This is a marvelous country house set in 2,000 m2 of lush, semi-tropical gardens in a superb location near the river just below Jimena de la Frontera, one of Andalucía's prettiest little towns.
The property borders the river walk and looks out onto a nature reserve, one of the best bird watching paradises anywhere in Europe. Views encompass the reserve's rich natural heritage, eucalyptus lining the river bank and the surrounding hills.
A short stroll takes one to picnic and swimming spots. And for anyone who loves walking this could be an ideal rental; the owner has compiled a booklet of her eight favourite walks (some long, some not so long) through the surrounding countryside.
It's a big house (400 m2), spacious, elegant and very peaceful. Everything here has a serene calmness and it's a genuine home too (the owner lives here throughout the winter), so consequently very well equipped.
From the entrance (and private parking) one passes under a wisteria crowned archway to a broad terrace at the front of the house, a perfect place to dine al fresco by day or by night (there's night lighting), beside the ancient mulberry tree. Birdsong and the scent of blossom fill the air.
Inside, the main living room, all 80 square metres of it, comprises a rouge-toned lounge with high, Catalan vaulted ceiling and large open fireplace with a choice of dining areas. Bouquets of dried flowers, bowls of aromatic herbs and pot pourri, authentic paintings, antique furnishings and artifacts create a lovely atmosphere.
Rugs are spread out on the old stone-flagged floor and cushions abound in this decidedly impressive living space, softly lit by attractive lamps and lanterns. It's a beautiful room, with plump, comfy sofas and armchairs, a settee under one of the large windows. Open-plan, with the attractive kitchen at one end, this opens through to a spacious pantry / second kitchen beyond. Outside, the barbecue patio with its ancient spring and fish pond is shaded by a huge banana tree.
The front terrace can be accessed directly from both the sitting room and the entrance hall. From the entrance hall there is also access to the downstairs bathroom, through a beautifully carved old wooden door.
The staircase takes one up to a book-lined landing and to the three first floor bedrooms, two of which have en-suite bathrooms. The master bedroom, with its king sized antique bed and silk bedcover has a child's bed curtained off in a separate alcove.
There is a pretty twin bedroom and another attractive double, this one enjoying good views of the upper gardens behind the house. A utility / laundry room completes the upstairs distribution.
A shaded, furnished terrace runs the full length of this first floor with great views, over the river to the Alcornocales (cork oak) Natural Park beyond. The rocky mountain terrain on the other side of the river is home to colonies of vultures and eagles as well as being on the major migratory route for birds passing across the Straits between Africa and Europe. Places don't come much better than this for keen bird watchers.
Other attractions are manifold: some will be intrigued with the original artwork that fills the walls wherever one wanders; others will want to delve into the extensive reading matter that guests are welcome to enjoy or take advantage of the wireless internet access.
All will be be enchanted with the exotic gardens that have matured within the walls of the property's 2,000 m² estate. Completely private and secluded, it is lush with flowers, shrubs, banana and orange trees, providing a magical setting for the turquoise blue waters of the delightful kidney-shaped swimming pool which is at the side of the house, completely enclosed within its own lush, mature gardens.
The pool and garden is lit at night which creates yet another setting for dining al fresco.
All around the swimming pool, up garden steps and along paths (which lead to a very private suntrap) and around the ivy covered rear of the property are well-established date palms, avocado, fijoa, tall cacti, orange, lemon, caqui, nispero and banana.
Apart from being beautiful they also create valuable shade. There are canna lilies and pink datura and a whole host of colourful, scented and rare plants and shrubs.
The coolest, shadiest spots are by the springs, especially by the ancient Artesian well on the barbecue patio. A fish pond is home to healthy coy, barble and goldfish.
Not far from the main house, completely hidden away in a corner of the grounds, is a self contained cottage with its own independent entrance where the delightful Dutch owner takes up residence when the villa is rented. On hand to provide guests with advice or arrange any extra services they may require, she always respects the privacy of her guests; you will not even know she is there.
Extra services include meals which can be provided in-house by a chef who can prepare everything from feasts and romantic dinners to picnics and meals for children.
Jimena de la Frontera is one of the most charming of Andalucia's small towns, its castle presiding over a village well known for its tapas bars and restaurants and the annual International Music Festival (in early July). From the house it's just a five minute stroll to the centre of town.
With natural parkland all around, there is plenty of scope for great walking and horse riding, while Sevilla, Ronda and the beaches and water sports at Sotogrande and Tarifa are popular choices for day trips.
One great day out not to be missed is on the narrow gauge railway from Jimena to Ronda. The little train stops at the little white villages along the way and passes through fabulous landscapes; it's air-conditioned and you can buy drinks on board!
The nearest golf courses are located in Sotogrande, on the Mediterranean coast, the most famous of which is Valderama which has held many of the famous Ryder Cup events. Sotogrande is approximately 25 minutes drive from the villa, and has four other golf courses.
If your idea of heaven is to sit in a beautiful garden in the peace of glorious nature, enjoying the sun on your face and just relaxing completely, this villa is the perfect place.
Contact Us
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Property Details
Ground Floor :
Entrance hall
Open-plan living / dining room / kitchen
Pantry / kitchen
Guest bathroom/WC (which can be accessed from the front terrace)
Shaded barbecue patio (furnished)
Part-shaded front terrace (furnished)
Gardens and grounds
First Floor :
Library landing
3 bedrooms :
1 double (the master bedroom) with a king-sized bed, an en-suite bathroom (bath tub and shower) and also an additional bed for a child
1 double bedded
1 twin bedded with en-suite bathroom (bath tub and shower)
Laundry / Utility room
Large, shaded terrace (furnished)
Facilities
Satellite TV (Via Digital, various channels in English; also German, French etc) • DVD • VHS • CD Player • WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop) • Books, videos, DVDs and games
Open fireplace in the living room • Heating panels • Portable Fans in all rooms
Electric Oven • Gas hob (6 rings) • Microwave • Fridge / freezer • Dishwasher • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Washing Machine • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot available (on request)
Filtered swimming pool (9 m x 4 m, 1.0 - 1.9 m deep)
Pool terrace • Gardens • Night lighting on the terrace and by the pool • Sunbeds • Barbecue (brick) • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Parking
Notes
The property is available from mid / late April through to the first week of November each year. The swimming pool will be open throughout this period
Maid service is once a week. Pool & terrace areas are cleaned three times a week. Caretaker service is available at all times
Babysitting, chef, shopping and additional cleaning are available on request, payable locally
A booklet of the owners favourite walks in the surrounding countryside is available at the villa
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Location
On the outskirts of the small town of Jimena de la Frontera (all facilities)
Gaucín 20 mins; Sotogrande 25 mins; Gibraltar 40 mins; Estepona 45 mins; Tarifa 50 mins; Marbella 1 hr; Ronda 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Gibraltar 40 mins; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Car Hire
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