Property Description
This is a beautiful property, very stylish but also homely and extremely comfortable. The setting is magnificent too, surrounded by its own 25 acres of broad-leafed chestnut trees, olives and cork oaks, with superb views from its hillside vantage point. Yet it's just a kilometre from lovely Aracena, so an easy, fifteen minute walk into town.
It's a magical spot, all is peace and tranquility here, green and glorious hillsides rolling gently across the horizon as far as the eye can see. There are glimpses through the trees to the azure blue waters of the Embalse de Aracena in the valley below, with the far-off peaks of Badajoz providing an impressive backdrop. It's heavenly, a landscape that feeds the soul as well as the body.
A wide and well maintained farm track heads out from town, winding through beautiful countryside to the entrance gates of the villa. From here the estate driveway follows the contours of a centuries-old dry stone wall which encloses the olive grove and through a corridor of chestnut trees before swinging round to reveal the true wonderment of the farmhouse and its magnificent situation.
Totally private and joyously calm, cork oak and chestnut trees spill down the hillsides offering countless hidden-away places that are ideal for exploring or for a quiet moment of contemplation. You will hear only birdsong or perhaps the occasional bray of a donkey echoing up from the valley far below.
Situated on the side of the hill, high enough to enjoy the magnificent vistas all around, the farmhouse is equally impressive. Cleverly designed and built to look like it could have been here for centuries, it has a classic L shaped layout beyond its huge entrance courtyard.
With a beautiful magnolia tree at its centre, the courtyard is a massive, cheerful space festooned with colourful plants and flowering shrubs. There's plenty of sunshine - and plenty of shade too - both under the roofed gallery that runs full length along the front of the house (with different seating areas to choose from; a ping-pong table and barbecue too) or in the lovely mirador, the perfect spot for your early evening aperitifs.
The mirador, in the far corner of the courtyard, looks over the pool on the terrace below and beyond to mile upon mile of magnificent countryside. It's an inspirational view.
The property is every bit as impressive inside as it is outdoors. Huge and very spacious, its towering, wooden-beamed ceilings keep the house cool even on the hottest summer's day. For winter comfort there is underfloor heating throughout the house to augment the log fire in the living room.
For those who need to stay connected to the world at large there is broadband internet connection throughout the house and an excellent mobile signal.
One wing is given over to a vast living space with a fabulous, country-style kitchen / dining room at one end leading seamlessly through to a beautiful and very comfortable lounge.
This is a real home (the owners spend as much of their time here as they possibly can) and it shows. The kitchen / dining room is really welcoming, a joy to be in and superbly appointed with top-quality appliances. It has its own terrace with stairs leading down to the gardens below. The polished granite-topped dining table in the centre of the room comfortably seats ten. A pantry leads off and there is even a shoot to pass washing down to the laundry room below!
Pilar, the lovely, cheerful woman who keeps the house spick and span will cook for you, if you wish. She's good!
The living room is gorgeous, furnished with exquisite good taste. Space, natural light and tastefully balanced, bright and cheerful colours create a really impressive and genuinely relaxing room (the TV and other entertainment is downstairs in the purpose-built playroom).
Light floods in from three French windows which open to a large al fresco summer dining terrace. Vines clamber overhead providing shade; views are far and wide, over the lawned gardens below and down the valley to the lake in the far distance. This is a great place at any time of day or night, and just perfect for a leisurely breakfast as it faces east.
Four very smart, spacious bedrooms are ranged along the other wing of the house, where the dappled shade of chestnut trees keep them deliciously cool throughout the day.
The king-sized double master bedroom has windows along two sides of the room and its own little corner terrace with seating and superb views. It leads through to an attractive, mosaic-tiled en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub). Furnishings are classy and comfortable, colourful and very pretty.
The beds in the other three bedrooms can be made up as either doubles or twins as preferred.
They share two bathrooms (one with a walk-in shower, the other with a shower over the bath tub) although, if you prefer, one of the bedrooms can be made en-suite to one of the bathrooms, leaving the other two bedrooms to share the other bathroom. You choose!
All of the bedrooms are spacious with generous, built-in wardrobes, two metre-long beds and floor standing fans. They all lead off from an almost cathedral-like corridor with doors opening to the front courtyard on its other side.
Downstairs, there is a large playroom with a pool table, DVD player and television screen. There is a piano too and a good selection of DVD's, books and board games to choose from. There are four sofa beds to lounge around on (two doubles and two singles), and a shower room leads off.
The playroom opens to the huge lawned area at the back of the house, a very special feature here in Spain, and a perfect place for children to stretch their legs over a game of football or boules, or to join the adults, perhaps, for a game of croquet.
This leads round to more gardens immediately below the kitchen terrace. Stairs lead down from this terrace and also from the mirador further along at the end of the front courtyard.
Between these two stairways, almost hidden under the honeysuckle and ivy- clad stone wall, you will find both the laundry room and a self-contained apartment with a double bed, small kitchenette, seating area and a shower room leading off.
And then there is the magnificent swimming pool, set on the next terrace down, accessed by a wide stairway which meanders gently down through gorgeous lavender and herb gardens. Divine aromas fill the air.
Sparkling and very blue, it's a wonderful pool. A massive 14 m x 8 m, with Roman steps in, it has a salt filtration system, so there's no nasty chlorine here. There's night-lighting, making it irresistible whatever the time may be.
If you prefer to just to laze in the sun, there is plenty of space to lounge on the wide terrace surround. A shaded area at one end offers respite from the mid-day sun. All around are the cheerful colours of bougainvillea and the heady scents of jasmine, rosemary and thyme.
The view isn't bad either …
It's all fenced and gated so properly child friendly. Children of any age are very welcome here and young ones are well catered for - the house is equipped with a cot, high chair, buggy, a silvercross pram and many shaded areas.
The plaudits flood in from very contented guests. Here are just a few of their comments:
"Everything and more than I'd hoped for. What a beautiful house, a real home and hugely comfortable".
"It's peaceful, restorative, a magical place to be. A priceless experience, the views are heart-stopping".
"I just love this house - it's got a magic all of its own. I'm relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world again".
"We had a terrace for every occasion: one for breakfast and lunch, one for evening drinks, yet another for dinner and all with beautiful views".
"We have just had the most wonderful week at what is, quite simply, the most beautiful place we have ever stayed! The situation was marvellous and the peace and tranquillity second to none, all our family loved every minute of staying in this spectacular home".
Here you will enjoy everything that is wonderful about rural Andalucía - beautiful countryside, golden sunshine and blissful calm. Once ensconced in the peace and privacy here, you will relax, completely.
But, no doubt you will venture out from time to time - and the dazzling beauty of the Sierra de Aracena Natural Park will be sure to seduce you. Charming little villages dotted here and there in a green and glorious land, it's a hidden and unspoiled corner of Spain, second to none.
And if that is not enough, Sevilla is just an hour away. Cities don't come any more vibrant, or more beautiful, than this Andalusian gem.
Head in the opposite direction and you will quickly cross the border into Portugal. A different country … a different world. To the south you will find the white, sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz and one of the world's premier nature reserves.
Closer to hand, Aracena is a bustling and delightful little market town, relaxed and friendly like so many here, set on top of the Gruta de las Maravillas (Cave Of Wonders), one of Spain's most impressive caves, and dominated by its splendid Moorish castle on the hilltop above the town. Although it has a population of just 8,000 it nevertheless manages to keep its 60 bars and four night clubs going!
The little villages of the Sierra de Aracena are linked by small cobbled tracks which makes it fabulous terrain for both serious walkers and laid-back ramblers. There are maps and books in the house which will guide you in the right direction.
If your preference are the local fiestas, these are seemingly never-ending! The most famous in Aracena are Semana Santa, the feria in May, romerias in June and September, and the three day, non-stop fiesta at the end of August.
There is so much to enjoy in this beautiful part of Spain. And right here, this wonderful property offers class, character and comfort in abundance. It is unique and very, very special.
Contact Us
Would you like to book this property? Any questions? We are here to help
00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
Ground Floor :
Living room with summer dining terrace leading off
Kitchen / Dining Room with terrace leading off
4 bedrooms:
(1) Master bedroom suite with king-sized double bed, private terrace and en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub)
(2) Twin, or double bedded (as preferred). This bedroom can be made en-suite to one of the bathrooms
(3)
Twin, or double bedded (as preferred)
(4) Twin, or double bedded (as preferred)
2 bathrooms (one with a walk-in shower room, one with a shower over the bathtub). The walk-in shower room can be made en-suite to bedroom 2 if preferred
Front courtyard (partly shaded) and shaded Mirador with outdoor furniture
Estate gardens and grounds
Lower Ground Floor :
Playroom (with pool table, piano, TV, DVD and day beds)
Shower Room / W.C.
Lawn, gardens and grounds
Self-contained Apartment :
Studio room (with double bed, small kitchen, dining and sitting areas)
Shower Room / W.C.
Laundry Room
Facilities
IPod dock and amplifier • Digital TV (Spanish TV and BBC news) • DVD • Pool Table • Piano • Selection of DVD's and board games • Table tennis • Broadband WiFi internet (bring your own laptop)
Open fireplace in the living room • Under floor central heating throughout • Fans in all bedrooms
Large Electric Oven • Gas hob (5 rings) • Microwave • Fridge / freezer • Dishwasher • Food processor • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee pot • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
There is also a small kitchen in the self-contained apartment with a 2 ring electric hob, fridge, microwave, kettle, coffee pot etc.
Washing Machine • Tumble Dryer • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryers • Cot & Highchair, buggy and silvercross pram available
Fenced and gated, filtered swimming pool (14 m x 8 m, 1.2 m - 2.5 m deep) with Roman steps and chlorine free, salt filtration system
Pool terrace • Pool shower • Sunbeds • Furnished Mirador • Croquet / Boules Lawn • Gardens and Grounds • Barbecue • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Parking
Notes
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open from May until mid October, inclusive
A cook can be provided by arrangement, payable locally
Prices are inclusive of central heating costs in winter months
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Location
1 km from Aracena (all facilities; restaurants; banks etc)
Sevilla 1½ hrs; Atlantic Coast 1½ hours
See the location map above
Airports
Sevilla 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Faro (on the Algarve Coast in Portugal) 2½ hrs; Málaga 3½ 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 Sevilla and other airports in Andalucia. Click here for full details
Find Out More
About the La Sierra de Aracena
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