Overlooking the Bay of Gibraltar is a quite magnificent private country
estate belonging to the Larios family (in Spain, Larios gin is more popular than
Gordon's). It is a fine, authentic Edwardian house, built by the British at the
turn of the century when they were constructing the railway through to Ronda.
Set in extensive, mature gardens and surrounded
by 1,000 acres of natural cork oak forest and grazing for Retinto (the long-horned
red cattle of southern Spain) this is one of the great houses of Andalucía. Huge white storks nest in the trees and the area
is famous for its wild spring flowers and the bird migrations to and from Africa.
The gardens are truly wonderful. "The most perfect surviving example of
a belle époque in Spain" to quote from "The English Garden Abroad".
The vast, extensive lawns on both sides of the house are full of mature magnolia, palm
and indigenous cork oak trees. There is a lovely pool too, 14m x 9m, set in a
quiet area of the gardens, a few hundred metres away from the house.
The English / Spanish owners have farmed and managed the estate for more than
20 years. They have converted one wing of the main house (originally the servants
quarters) into two self-catering apartments, one on the ground floor, one on the
floor above. Both have their own private entrances. They don't have quite the
same sumptuous decor and antique furnishings as the rest of the house but are nevertheless
very well equipped, comfortable holiday homes.
The ground floor apartment (which sleeps four) has it's own garden terrace leading off
the living / dining room. The first floor apartment has three bedrooms (sleeping
five). Both enjoy the magnificent setting, the lovely views, wonderful
gardens and of course, the swimming pool.
It would be very tempting to stay right here. Houses don't come much more beautiful
than this! But there's lots to do elsewhere, too. Tarifa is a fun little town, now a mecca for windsurfers,
there's unspoilt beaches on the Costa de la Luz, duty free shopping, caves and
history in Gibraltar, a day trip to Tangiers, perhaps; scenic drives to the historic
towns of Ronda, Jerez, Cádiz and Sevilla. Golf, riding, walking, good restaurants . . . et al.
