Property Description
Overlooking the Bay of Gibraltar is a quite magnificent private country estate owned by the Larios family (in Spain, Larios gin is more popular than Gordon's) for five generations. It is a fine, authentic Edwardian house, built by the British at the turn of the last century when they were constructing the railway through to Ronda.
The property continues today, as a working farm breeding organic beef cattle and harvesting cork. The whole estate falls within the Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales.
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 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.
They enjoy the same peaceful surroundings as the main house. Both enjoy the magnificent setting, the lovely views, wonderful Estate gardens and, of course, the swimming pool.
The Garden Apartment on ground floor sleeps four in two twin bedrooms, sharing a bathroom. A large sitting/dining room with log burning fireplace leads out to a private terrace with barbecue area in its own garden, which looks out to the main Estate garden. It's quite a view!
The Old Nursery Wing Apartment on the first floor sleeps four or five in two twin bedrooms and one child’s room. They share a bathroom. The large sitting/dining room overlooking the gardens and has views to Gibraltar and the mountains.
Both are well equipped with full linen and bedding (cots are available), Kitchens have a dishwasher, microwave, electric oven and gas cooker. A laundry room is available in the main house. Both have WiFi internet access.
It would be very tempting to stay right here. Houses don't come much more beautiful than this! And there's lots to do, here on the Estate: walks through the fabulous gardens, happy hours by the beautiful swimming pool, exploring forest trails within the Natural Alcornocales Park.
The garden is ideal for artists and much previous work is displayed in the house. There are specialised tours (of three hours) in 4x4s to study the cork forest and cattle ranching. The Estate also has a large lake with good fishing (wide mouthed black bass and carp). And for bird watchers it's a paradise! On one of the main lines of migration to Africa, storks, golden orioles, nightjars and nightingales nest in the garden.
There's so much to do a little further a field, too. Fine local seafood restaurants and tapas bars to try, shopping for local products in the traditional open air markets in Algeciras and Los Barrios. Tarifa is a fun little town, now a mecca for wind and kite surfers, there's mile upon mile of unspoilt beaches on the Costa de la Luz.
There are riding stables on the beaches at Tarifa and many excellent golf courses within 15 minutes' drive including Valderrama, Almenara, Real Club Sotogrande and San Roque. Bull breeding ranch visits and Sherry Bodega visits (in Jerez, one hour away) can be arranged too
There's duty free shopping, caves and history in Gibraltar, scenic drives to the historic towns of Ronda, Jerez, Cádiz and Sevilla. Or perhaps a day trip to Tangiers (the owners can advise on an excellent private guide for day visits to Tangier and the surrounding area - book ahead if possible - which they highly recommend. Port embarkation is just 20 minutes from the house.
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Property Details
ZC16(1) : Garden Apartment on the ground floor (sleeps 4) :
Open-plan living / dining room
Kitchen
2 bedrooms (both twin bedded, beds pushed together)
Bathroom
Terrace (with furniture & barbecue)
ZC16(2) : Nursery Wing Apartment on the first floor (sleeps 4 plus a child) :
Open-plan living / dining room
Kitchen
3 bedrooms :
2
twin bedded, (beds pushed together)
1 small single (childs bedroom)
Bathroom
Facilities
Spanish TV • WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Open fireplace in the living room • Electric heaters (see note below) • Portable Fans
Electric Oven • Gas hob (4 rings) • Microwave • Fridge / freezer • Dishwasher • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Shared use of : Filtered swimming pool (14 m x 9 m, 1.0 - 2.0 m deep) • Pool terrace • Sunbeds • Gardens and Estate Grounds • Outdoor furniture • Parking
Shared use of : Laundry Room (Washing Machine • Tumble Dryer • Iron & board). A laundry service is available if required for a supplement
Notes
The swimming pool is open from early April to early October
From November through to the end of March there is an additional charge for electricity consumed (as per the meter)
From November through to the end of March a discount of 15% on prices quoted below is offered on the first floor apartment, when occupied by just two persons
The apartments are not available in July and August, or from mid December to mid January each year
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Location
in open countryside 4 km from Los Barrios (most facilities); Algeciras (all facilities) 15 mins
Gibraltar 20 mins; Tarifa 20 mins; Marbella 1 hr; Jerez 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Gibraltar 20 mins; Jerez 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Sevilla 2 hrs
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Car Hire
We offer competitive rates for car hire from Málaga and other airports in Andalucia. Click here for full details
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