Property Description
Only two delightful and splendidly unconventional, middle aged English sisters could stumble upon this crumbling old farm ruin, high in the hills of Jaén Province, fall in love with it and then battle against all the odds to convert it into their very own Andalusian dream. Further from the glitz and glamour of Marbella and the Costa del Sol is difficult to imagine.
There's little that's particularly pretty about the old building but there's no denying its character and timeless charm. It's a rustic, rural abode. Here one is stepping back to a world when families survived on what they could grow on the thin soil of the rocky hillsides, a goat and a pig or two to keep them company.
And it's certainly not luxurious - quite the opposite - but for anyone who enjoys the genuine atmosphere of an age almost forgotten, this is a lovable, delightful place. For peace and tranquility, away from it all, very hard to beat.
One of the few remaining "undiscovered" parts of Andalucía, the farm is five kilometres due east of the sleepy little farming village of Frailes (population 1,900) in the Province of Jaén. The nearest town of any size is Alcalá La Real, 18 kilometres from here.
But it's easy to get to. It takes little more than an hour from Granada, heading north on the motorway before turning west towards Alcalá and Priego de Córdoba beyond. Then along the country lane to Frailes, a friendly little place where time has - almost - stood still, and beyond, deep into the olive-dotted countryside of La Sierra Sur.
A one kilometre track leads up from the country lane to the farm buildings. The track is fine but a bit steep in places so we don't recommend any winter rentals here. If it snows (it's quite high up, 1.200 metres above sea level) no one can get in, or out …
But in spring, summer and autumn, the short climb is more than worth it, views from its lofty position are stunning. This is La Sierra Sur, an area of limestone mountains, olive groves and agricultural land which roll across the horizon as far as the eye can see. There is a wealth of nature and wonderful countryside all around to explore.
There is just one other house to be seen and that's more than 500 metres away, a long way down the valley. There is, however, an immediate neighbour, another farmhouse which is semi-detached to this one. But it's not overlooked and, more to the point, no one lives there. The local farmer, José, will pass by a couple of times weekly to tend his smallholding - asparagus, artichokes and vines, but he lives elsewhere.
One enters the property through a high-walled courtyard, a sunny spot ideal, perhaps, for a leisurely breakfast. A lovely, old wooden door opens to the entrance hall.
Being a genuine, traditional Andalusian farmhouse, its thick walls ensure that inside remains beautifully cool and calm in summer. The style of the house starts right here - wobbly white walls, ancient beamed ceilings, tiled floors - and lots of nooks and crannies.
Rooms lead off from the entrance hall: a single bedroom which looks out to the front courtyard (note however that there's no bathroom on this lower floor), a little storage room and the dining room which is accessed through an archway. Here, under its low beams, a glass dining table will comfortably seat ten. At the far end of the room there's a little bar with a fridge to hand.
Next comes a huge country-style kitchen, decently equipped (one of the sisters runs a catering company back home) with a gas oven, 4-ring gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer plus all the usual kitchen bits and pieces. It's modern with granite worktops but, as everywhere in the house, it has an uncomplicated, homely feel, nothing whatever to do with "designer" style. Two steps down from the kitchen there is a guest W.C. beyond a little utility space.
The other end of the dining room leads through to the living room. Sunlight pours in and there's a calm rural ambiance about it all. Furnishings are simple, rustic in style. There are two sofas and an armchair, a wood burning stove in the corner. There are also a couple of gas heaters and some electric heaters dotted around the house which may come in handy during early or late season rentals.
Some of the furnishings are, it must be said, a bit old (mostly purchased second-hand) although comfortable enough. The owners are replacing them bit by bit. By way of contrast, the bureau in the living room and the sideboard in the dining room are very fine antiques indeed.
The living room looks out through its big front window to the fabulous view towards the village and the western hills. A door opens to the pool terrace outside.
From the entrance hall, steps lead up to the first floor and to a wide landing at the top of the stairs where there's a good collection of children's games and a double sofabed.
There are five bedrooms on this upper floor. The two, decent sized, twin bedded rooms and a single share a walk-in shower room between them. There are two double bedrooms (the beds are standard size, 4'6" x 6'3"), both with en-suite walk-in shower rooms. Furnishings and fittings are no more than basic, in keeping with the property's simple rustic style.
A small sun terrace also leads off from the upstairs landing.
Outdoors, a wide terrace runs around two sides of the house with the big pool (11 m x 6.5 m, 0.75 - 1.5 m deep) taking centre stage. There are sunbeds and tables and chairs (most of them plastic) and plenty of space to take in the views. A kettle barbecue and table complete the outdoor furnishings.
Just sitting here, watching the sun sink down behind the mountains in the west is simply divine …
Whatever the time of day, here you are in the great outdoors with just the sights, scents and sounds of pastoral bliss to keep you company. Being high up, there's usually a gentle and very welcoming afternoon breeze in summer. There's great walking and exploring in every direction, but please note that the rugged hillside is quite steep in places, so take a little care.
Jaén Province is famous for its friendly, easy-going people and you will meet plenty when you venture down to the local village, Frailes. A relaxed little place with a couple of restaurants and a handful of bars, it is now best known for Michael Jacobs's beguiling story, "The Factory of Light, Tales from My Andalucian Village". Well worth reading, it certainly brings the provincial village to life.
Just 20 minutes drive away is Alcalá La Real, a Moorish fortress town dominated by its magnificent 15th Century hilltop castle. it was the focus of many attacks by the Christians due to its position guarding the fertile plains surrounding Moorish Granada. Renowned for traditional craftwork including leatherwork, embroidery and pottery, these days it's a modern, unpretentious market town with a handful of quite decent (and very reasonable) restaurants.
The rural beauty of the Poniente Granadino lies to the southwest, a region which leads naturally on to the Subbética de Córdoba, another lovely area of pretty villages set amongst rolling hills and small mountains, a place to enjoy a glass or two of the local Montilla sherry. Delightful Priego de Córdoba (an hour from here) is well worth a day out.
Then there's those special highlights of any trip to Spain, Granada (an hour away) and Córdoba itself, a two hour drive from here. Both have a wealth of magnificent historical treasures for you to savour as well as all the life, colour, energy and fun you would expect from such great cities.
Old and unpretentious this farmhouse may be, simply furnished and just a touch scruffy around the edges too, but its gentle peacefulness - and superb countryside location - has a lot going for it. A great place to be.
Contact Us
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00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
Ground floor :
Walled courtyard
Entrance hall
Dining room
Kitchen
Guest cloakroom / W.C.
Living Room
Single bedroom
Pool Terrace (furnished)
First Floor :
Landing
5 bedrooms :
2 doubles with en-suite walk-in shower rooms
2 twin bedded
1 single
Walk-in shower room
Roof terrace
Facilities
Wood burning stove in the living room • Gas & Electric heaters
Gas Oven • Gas hob (4 rings) • Microwave • Fridge / freezer • Toaster • Kettle • Coffee pot • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Washing machine • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels)
Filtered swimming pool (11 m x 6.5 m, 0.75 - 1.5 m deep) with entry steps
Pool terrace • Sunbeds • Barbecue & barbecue table • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Parking
Notes
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open from mid April to mid October inclusive
This property is not suitable for winter rentals
With six bedrooms, the farmhouse could cater for up to ten guests, but in our opinion, the property is more suited to a party of six, possibly eight
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Location
Accessed by a 1 km farm track (a bit steep in places but in good condition), 5 km above the village of Frailes (basic facilities); 18 km from Alcalá La Real (all facilities)
Priego de Córdoba 50 mins; Granada 1 hr; Jaén 1¼ hrs; Córdoba 2 hrs; Málaga 2¼ hrs; Sevilla 3¼ hrs
See the location map above
Airports
Granada 1¼ hrs; Málaga 2¼ 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 Poniente Granadino
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