Property Description
The owner of this absolutely divine and compellingly romantic country house is a legend in these parts. She has been finding, restoring and decorating country homes in Southern Spain for more than 25 years, and knows exactly how to spot the potential of an old ruin and what it takes to turn it into a home of great charm, joy and beauty.
Quality, attention to detail, her inimitable sense of style, exquisite taste and flair have made her the most sought-after property designer in rural Andalucía. Her country homes are works of art, an unmistakable blend of comfort, elegance and rustic charm; homes entirely in harmony with their natural surroundings.
Featured in numerous lifestyle magazines, her own home is a classic example of her work, a house which started life as three humble, half forgotten farm cottages of Moorish origin lost in a sea of natural splendour, the stunningly beautiful countryside to the west of Gaucín village.
Thickly wooded hillsides roll serenely across the horizon, richly forested with mature oaks, carobs and olive trees. To the south the picture-postcard landscapes of Los Alcornocales Natural Park (named after its handsome and beautifully kept cork forests, the largest in Europe) extend all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Beyond, the peaks of Africa and Europe merge under a deep blue sky. It's a spectacular panorama …
There are one or two other villas dotted about here and there in the dales and valleys, but they are a considerable distance away, hidden in the trees. Here you will enjoy complete privacy.
It is one of the most serene and peaceful locations anywhere in Europe. There's no traffic, not even an electricity pylon to be seen! Sheep's bells clink gently in the distance, a fleeting shadow from an eagle soaring high overhead; birds singing happily in the trees - just the wonderful sights, scents and sounds of pastoral bliss to keep you company.
Seven kilometres from the village of Gaucín, the villa's 25 acre private estate is accessed by a one kilometre farm track (in excellent condition) leading off from the country lane which winds gently down the hillside to the village of Colmenar.
Rustic entrance gates open to a huge open terrace surrounded by mature olive, oak and palm trees. The array of wild flowers, shrubs and trees is just one of the wonderful features here. The fragrance of herbs, fruit and flowers pervade the clean mountain air.
The Moors understood exactly where to build their houses. It's a very sheltered spot, there's lots of water and the micro-climate is perfect. The estate remains lush and green throughout the year; plants and flowers abound.
The attractive swimming pool (10 m x 5 m, 1.2 m - 2.0 m deep) enjoys the very best of the views, across fields and pastures to the rolling, wooded hillsides which lead all the way down to the Rock of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea shimmering in the sunshine beyond. There's plenty of space here for lounging and relaxing, both in full sun or in the shade.
The house is alongside. The three original cottages have been converted into one large property but the very best of their original attributes remain, not least the metre-thick walls which keep the house beautifully cool and serene, even on the hottest of days; warm and cosy in mid winter.
A covered terrace runs along the front of the house - a sublimely lovely and relaxing place to be. Jasmine, ivy, begonias and bougainvilleas clamber up supporting pillars and spill out of beautifully weathered terracotta pots. Immediately beyond, fruit trees - lemons, limes, oranges and mandarins - provide delicious fresh juices to start your day (you can also help yourselves to the avocados, salads and vegetables which are cultivated on the estate's ecological gardens).
It's about as perfect a terrace as one can imagine; languidly casual and as pretty as can be. Ideal for al fresco dining, we are sure you will wile away many a happy hour here, whatever the time of day or night.
The transition between indoor and outdoor living is seamless. Both the dining and living rooms open to this covered terrace.
A huge glass door runs the entire length of the dining room. It slides effortlessly into the wall-space and simply disappears. It is a fabulous feature, joining the room and terrace as one. A beautiful, antique wooden shutter can also be drawn across, keeping the dining room snug and cosy on winter evenings.
The living space is all downstairs with most of the bedrooms on the floor above. At one end, the country kitchen is joyfully rustic, bright, busy and colourful yet with all mod-cons and equipment too. Everything is of the highest quality - gorgeous hand-made tiles, marble work surfaces, a wealth of beautiful paintings, prints and photos. A delightful kitchen which will inspire you to rustle up something delicious!
A wide archway (the whole ground floor is completely open-plan) leads through from the kitchen to the beautifully appointed dining room, its lovely old oak dining table (which seats eight) taking centre stage. As everywhere in this wonderful home, the simple, earthy beauty of a traditional dwelling - with its twisty walls and massive, beamed ceilings - merges perfectly with elegant antiques, colourful paintings, fascinating decorative pieces and finely crafted woodwork.
Beyond, through another wide archway, is the spacious and very attractive living room, lit from windows on both sides. It's lovely and, of course, immaculately furnished in casual, country style. Sofas and easy chairs, books, classy antiques and carefully chosen Moroccan artefacts all fit together around its ancient fireplace to make a delightfully relaxing and very comfortable room. A large flat screen TV is discretely placed in the corner.
There are five bedrooms, one on the ground floor, at the far end of the covered terrace, three are upstairs and there is also an independent, self-contained studio apartment just to the side of the main house, accessed from the sun terrace.
They are all charming and stylishly furnished. The three upstairs bedrooms lead off from a marvelously decorated corridor painted in gorgeous hues of blue and turquoise, light shining down from a skylight in its high ceiling. There are not many corridors of artistic merit in this world, but this one certainly is!
Bedroom 1 is a single with a splendid four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub). It has its own "mirador" terrace with splendid south facing views from its high arched windows.
Bedroom 2 is a big double with views across the sun terrace and gardens. This doesn't have en-suite facilities but there is an attractive bathroom (with walk-in shower) just across the way, on the other side of the corridor.
Bedroom 3 is another lovely double with an en-suite bathroom (shower over bathtub) and enjoys the best of the fabulous views.
Bedroom 4 is a very pretty twin room with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub) and views over the garden. This one is on the ground floor at the end of the covered terrace.
Bedroom 5 is the self-contained apartment accessed from the sun terrace just to the side of the main house. A big palm tree sways gently in the breeze outside, keeping everything cool and shady. It's a big, comfortable room with views across the pool to distant mountains. The large double bed is on one side of the room, a sitting area with a small kitchenette on the other side. A bathroom (with bath tub and walk-in shower) leads off. Everything is of the same splendid quality as in the main house.
Alongside is a laundry / utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer, an extra fridge and a huge freezer.
It's an easy twenty minute drive to lovely Gaucín village, one of the prettiest in all Spain. It still retains its old-world Spanish charm, a delightful tangle of narrow, twisting streets filled with flowers. Add a sophisticated touch here and there (including some excellent little restaurants), close proximity to some of Andalucía's best attractions and its enduringly spectacular views and you have one of the great Spanish rural holiday destinations. Standing high above the village are the remains of its old Moorish castle, Castillo del Aguila (the Eagle's Castle).
In the other direction the country lane will take you deep down into the valley and to the little pueblo of Colmenar which also has a couple of more-than-decent restaurants.
It is also known as Estación de Gaucín because the fantastic railway between Algeciras on the coast and Ronda, to the north, stops here. Built by the British in the 1890's to enable Gibraltar's garrison officers to escape into the countryside from the coastline's summer heat, it is one of Europe’s great short railway journeys, running through landscapes which offer constantly plunging and spectacular views. Well worth a day out!
On the other side of Colmenar the hillsides rise up again and now you are in the heart of Los Alcornocales Natural Park, fabulously beautiful and offering wonderful walking and cycling.
There are riding stables (they offer lessons too) just a couple of minutes from the house.
Sandy beaches are less than 45 minutes away at Sabinillas, and a plethora of superb golf courses are all less than an hour away. For the more energetic, sailing and windsurfing at Tarifa is a 60 minute drive. Marbella with its shops, restaurants and night life is also just an hour away.
Perhaps you will be tempted to try a taste of Morocco - the fast boat from Tarifa to Tangiers takes just 40 minutes. Great fun and a completely different world …
If you have a taste for tender and lovely things you will be enchanted by this house, a real home of the very highest quality, comfort and charm. Warm and intimate, here you will enjoy peace, tranquility and a quality of life that only the countryside can offer.
Contact Us
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00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
Ground Floor :
Kitchen
Dining Room
Living Room
Furnished, covered terrace
Twin bedroom (bedroom Nº 4) with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub) accessed from the covered terrace
First Floor :
3 bedrooms:
Bedroom Nº 1 : single with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub) and private "mirador" terrace
Bedroom Nº 2 : double
Bedroom Nº 3 : double with en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
Bathroom (walk-in shower)
Outdoors :
Self-contained studio apartment (bedroom Nº 5) with double bed, living area and kitchenette; through to bathroom (shower over bath tub & walk-in shower). The apartment adjoins the main house
Laundry / Utility Room
Large furnished sun terrace (with swimming pool)
Fruit orchard
Estate Gardens and Grounds, including ecological vegetable garden
Facilities
Satellite TV (some channels in English; also German, French etc) • DVD • CD • Collection of DVD's and books • WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Wood burning stove between the kitchen and dining room • Open fireplace in living room • Wood burning stove in the apartment • Electric heaters in all rooms
Electric Oven • Gas hob (5 rings) Fridge / freezer • Dishwasher • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee Machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Additional fridge and freezer space in the utility room • Small kitchenette in the apartment with microwave, fridge, kettle, utensils, cutlery and crockery
Washing Machine • Tumble Dryer • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryers in each bathroom • Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Filtered swimming pool (10 m x 5 m, 1.2 m - 2.0 m deep) with saline filter system (no chlorine) and underwater lighting
Pool terrace (furnished) • Gardens & Grounds • Sunbeds • Sunshades • Barbecue • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • External night lighting • Parking
Notes
The swimming pool is open throughout the year (although, because it's not heated, the normal swimming season is from May to September)
With five bedrooms, the house could cater for up to nine guests, but the owner prefers a maximum of eight
Prices include maid service (a couple of hours, on two mornings each week
Additional maid service is available on request (for a supplement)
A welcome pack and basic kitchen provisions are provided on arrival
The gardner will visit for an hour or so each morning to tend the gardens and maintain the swimming pool
Clients are welcome to help themselves to fruit and vegetables grown on the Estate
Please, no smoking indoors
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday in high season
Location
In open countryside (accessed by a 1 km farm track (in good condition), 7 km from Gaucin (most facilities)
Mediterranean beaches 40 mins; Golf courses 50 mins; Ronda 55 mins; Marbella 65 mins; Gibraltar 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Gibraltar 1 hr; 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
We offer competitive rates for car hire from Málaga and other airports in Andalucia. Click here for full details
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About the Ronda Mountains
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