Property Description
This delightful and very tranquil country property really does enjoy the best of both worlds: set deep within the gorgeous Los Alcornocales Natural Park - and with views to match - it is, nevertheless, just a couple of minutes (500 metres) from Jimena de la Frontera, one of the classic pueblos blancos of Andalucía.
A lovely, traditional house set in its own 3½ acres of wooded grounds and gardens, it has been restored and developed into a really delightful country home by its English owners. It's everything it should be - homely, comfortable and with all mod-cons.
Charming little Jimena de la Frontera clambers up a steep hillside between two rivers. From close to the top of town, a very pretty country lane descends down the other side of the hill heading towards the Hozgarganta River, deep in the valley below. You are immediately immersed in a totally different world, a verdant paradise of dramatic hillsides, huge leafy trees hanging high overhead; cork oak forests and limestone peaks stretching wide across the horizon.
It's divine countryside and this property enjoys it to the full from its lofty, hillside position. A short driveway leads up from the lane, through the gate and up to a parking bay with the garage alongside. From here lawned gardens sweep up the slope to the house, the steep hillside behind thickly forested with eucalyptus, pine and cork oak trees. It's a magnificent and very secluded setting.
The extensive gardens to the side and in front of the property are a joy. Appropriately informal, they compliment the gorgeous nature all around. Colourful shrubs and roses clamber here there and everywhere amongst the rocks and trees. Night lighting along the pathway and in the gardens adds to the beautiful scene.
There are steps leading up to the house and more to the side, going up to the pool and its wide terrace surround. Built into the rock face, this a really delightful spot which makes the very best of the fabulous views down the valley.
It's a pool area which has been deliberately created to be casually rustic and its all the better for it, because it sits very comfortably in its natural surround. And it has everything a good pool area should have, sunbeds and loungers under a shaded, timber pergola at one end, simple wooden tables and chairs for relaxing here and there; night lighting both in and around the blue waters of the mosaic-tiled pool.
Please note that there are one or two places where there are unguarded drops so care should be taken with young children playing here. And, given the number of steps around and about, it's certainly not an ideal rental property for anyone with wobbly legs.
A wide, covered terrace immediately in front of the house is another fabulous spot to enjoy the views and the peaceful countryside harmony. It's as private as can be - there are a handful of other properties on surrounding hillsides but they are all a long way away and almost all are completely hidden from view by the trees. Comfortable cane sofas wrap around the far corner, there's an outdoor dining table and chairs (seating eight) and a built-in barbecue. Roses and bougainvillea clamber up and around, providing delightful contrast to the gloriously green oak forests all around.
One enters to a spacious and attractively appointed living / dining room under a beamed, sloping ceiling. Its charm is entirely in keeping with the relaxed, country-style here: a plump sofa and armchairs gathered around the open fireplace, central heating and air conditioning (both are throughout the house), original paintings and books and a proper, lived-in ambience (the owners spend much of the year here).
At one end, an arched wooden doorway opens through to a second, smaller lounge with a couple of sofas, an antique woodburning stove, satellite TV and DVD player in the corner, plus a work desk equipped with a computer and printer (both of which clients are free to use). There is both wired and wireless broadband internet connection.
There's a second, smaller portable TV which can be used in the main living room or on the terrace if you prefer (there are worse places in the world to follow progress at Wimbledon … ). An ipod docking speaker can also be moved around and about.
At the other end of the living room an archway opens through to a good-sized, extensively equipped kitchen with a large Smeg range cooker (with six gas rings and double electric ovens), an American style fridge/freezer with an ice maker and drinks dispenser, dishwasher, granite work surfaces et al.
A utility room houses the washing machine and there is also a guest cloakroom on this floor.
Stairs lead up to the first floor where there are two bedrooms. The master suite has its own dressing area leading on to the en-suite walk-in shower room and a lovely, furnished private terrace with fantastic views through the eucalyptus trees to the river valley and beyond. Steps lead down from here to the gardens below. The second bedroom (also a double) has an en-suite walk-in shower room and views to the forest which rises up behind the house.
The other two bedrooms are on the second floor, separated by a bathroom (shower over bathtub) which they share between them. Both are double bedded and both open to a sun terrace which runs along the length of the house. Arguably, this terrace has the very best views of all!
Jimena, just ten minutes walk up the lane (and only five minutes returning as it's downhill), is one of the most charming of Andalucia's small towns, its 13th Century Moorish castle presiding over the pretty town houses, tapa bars, restaurants and churches which climb up the hillside.
Head off in the other direction and within minutes you will be down by the river side. Popular in summer (because one can swim in its deep pools), it's a very beautiful spot whatever the time of year. From Jimena's Moorish castle (another lovely walk from the house) there are uninterrupted views to Gibraltar, Africa beyond, and mile upon mile of fertile valleys, orange groves, forests and mountains.
The surrounding Los Alcornocales Natural Park is heaven-made for great walking. The owners have an intimate knowledge of the area and provide detailed walking routes and itineraries to help you explore the very best of it. No doubt you will be accompanied by ravens, golden orioles or huge buzzards soaring high overhead.
If walking in paradise is not your thing, you can choose between Mediterranean beaches on the Costa del Sol (just half an hour away) or, a little further on, the wilder beaches on Spain's Atlantic coast. Sotogrande and Tarifa are both popular choices for day trips. For golf enthusiasts, there are at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Valderrama, Sotogrande and San Roque) close by. Or, if you are looking for something really different, how about nipping over to Morocco for the day!
Heading inland, the timeless beauty of some of Spain's most impressive Natural Parks awaits you. There are lots of charming towns and villages to discover along the way - Gaucín, Genalguacil and, further to the north, delightful old Ronda and the mountain village of Grazalema are all very attractive, lovely places, all well worth visiting.
If you don't want to take the car, try the wonderful, narrow gauge railway which runs from Jimena to Ronda, stopping at little white villages along the way. It's air-conditioned and you can even buy drinks on board! Further afield the great historic cities of Andalucía - Sevilla, Granada and Córdoba - are between two and three hours drive.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will always enjoy returning to this charming and very relaxing country home.
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00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
Ground Floor :
Living / dining room
Kitchen
Utility Room
Guest cloakroom
Shaded dining terrace (furnished)
Gardens and Grounds
First Floor :
2 bedrooms:
(1) Master double bedroom with dressing area, en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower) and private, furnished terrace (with steps down to the gardens)
(2) Double bedroom with
en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower)
Second Floor :
2 bedrooms:
(3) Double bedroom with access to the front roof terrace
(4)
Double bedroom with access to the front roof terrace
Bathroom (shower over bathtub)
Sun terrace
Facilities
Satellite TV (Freeview, BBC, ITV etc & Spanish stations) • 2nd, portable TV • DVD • Portable speaker with iPod connectivity • Computer • Printer • Broadband internet connection, both wired and wireless (WiFi) • Books (including walking guides) & DVD's
Open fireplace in the living room • Wood burning stove in the 2nd lounge • Central Heating throughout • Air Conditioning throughout
Smeg Range cooker (with 2 electric ovens, one with a spit roast) • Gas hob (6 rings) • Microwave • American-style fridge / freezer with ice dispenser • Dishwasher • Toaster • Blender • Kettle • Coffee machine • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Washing machine / drier • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Filtered swimming pool (with an irregular shape, 8.5 m x 2.1/5.0 m, 1.2 - 1.5 m deep) with entry steps and night lighting
Pool terrace with pergola • Sunbeds & loungers • Night lighting around the pool and in the gardens • Covered dining terrace • Barbecue (gas) • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Gardens • Garage Parking • Gated property
Notes
The swimming pool is open throughout the year (although the normal swimming season is from May to September, inclusive)
A weekly linen change and house cleaning are included; the house is also given a light clean mid week
Children are welcome but please note that there are some unfenced drops around the pool and a lot of steps around and about this hillside property. Due care and attention must be taken. It is not suitable for the elderly or anyone with wobbly legs
Rentals for this property can start and finish on any day of the week
Location
In open countryside, ½ km from Jimena de la Frontera (all facilities)
Gaucín 20 mins; Sotogrande 30 mins; Gibraltar 40 mins; Estepona 45 mins; Marbella 1 hr; Ronda 1 hr; Tarifa 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 1½ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Gibraltar 30 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
We offer competitive rates for car hire from Málaga and other airports in Andalucia. Click here for full details
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