One kilometer from the village of Jimena, nestled in a wood of Acebuche and oak
An eclectic mix of old and new, local and foreign, modern and antique.
From the road into Jimena, just a stone throw from the village, a country track takes you through the electric gate – and along the driveway to a parking bay directly in front of the main house. Park here and you have arrived into a haven of tranquillity. To the front of the house there is a lawned area planted with delightfully scented orange, lemon and grapefruit trees.
The 19th-century farmhouse that once graced this site has been extensively renovated and extended to form a character-filled home retreat. It has been restored to the highest standard. An eclectic mix of old and new, local and foreign, modern and antique.
Furnished with antiques and artefacts combining old and new whilst retaining unique Andalucian architecture with its hints of Moorish influence. All geared towards people who love nature and comfort.
A natural beauty of such magnificence that it makes mans attempt to mould this landscape insignificant.
The English owners visited only one property and looked no further, this was the one – they immediately realized they had walked into the place of their dreams – paradise – The natural beauty of the area is of such magnificence that it makes mans attempt to mould this landscape insignificant.
Set in 8 hectares of natural park, privacy & peace. The river, running just below, the valley sides covered in impenetrable shrubbery in so many shades of green, the silver-gray rocks – and overhead the blue-blue of the Andalucian sky.
There were goats living in the main house and the cottage was but a pile of stones – there was work to be done, but that was 14 years ago. The composition/structure, reminiscent of the agricultural building of this area, the extensive use of stone, exposed beams and whitewashed walls maintains the rustic and cosy ambience, delivered with a contemporary flair – the 19th century character of the original has been echoed in farmhouse type features.
You will be spoilt for choice: Town, Country or Costa....you decide.
Perfectly integrated into its surroundings the house is accessed by steps leading up to a terrace that wraps its way around most of the house. From the front terrace a main entrance directly into the kitchen, at this level there is a large built-in table with seating for 10, a perfect place to spend any hour of the day under the shade of the giant Algarrobo (carob tree) listening to the sound of the river, cicadas, frogs and goats…
The kitchen, the heart of the house, serves also as entrance, dining, the main room of the old farm house. It has high vaulted ceilings, polished terracotta brick floors and whitewashed walls, mixed and matched furnishings and other rustic details add to the character and give this room a welcoming family feel. The centerpiece a beautiful old English kitchen table seating 8 – where you will be happy to spend time preparing meals or simply chatting over a cup of morning coffee.
Home to Griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures and also the rare Imperial and Royal Eagle
To the right of the kitchen a few steps down to a small hallway. Here there is a small shower room/wc and a door leading through to the spectacular, glass fronted sitting/TV room. In the summer the glass doors can be opened and the entire room becomes part of the terrace, encompassed by all the natural beauty. Here again you will find part of the rock features that show how the house is woven into, and out of, its rock and mountain setting. This room has sofa seating for all the family and an open fire place for the cooler, winter evenings (all wood is included).
From the same hallway a steep ladder stairs (not for wobbly legs) takes you up to a tower bedroom. A room with high vaulted ceiling, just big enough for a double bed and a small closet but with windows facing south, east and west – all round views… and French windows leading to the stunning “suntrap terrace” from where you can watch the sun rise and set. If you do not mind the steep access, this room is in the most privileged setting. The terrace is furnished with loungers and terrace furniture and has direct access along a walk way and down some steps to the “front” terrace and back into the main house.
Views down to the river, Rio Hozgarganta, and centuries old flower mill – a perfect place for those who love bird watching. The river attracts many…keep your eyes open for raptors that seem to take advantage of the thermals above the ridge to enjoy themselves. The area is home to Griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures and also the rare Imperial and Royal Eagle.
At the opposite end of the kitchen 4 steps up to the second tower – this has been transformed into a cosy reading room, with a minstrels gallery, reached by a ladder, with just space enough for a desk and chair and books, books, books… You can imagine spending the hours, overlooking the grounds and dreaming of writing a bestseller.
Directly from here to the master bedroom. The second largest room of the house with it grand four poster bed, antique English furniture, dark natural stone floors and brick and timber beamed ceilings – juxtaposing textures and time periods to create a it’s own unique style. The décor is once more a mixture of old and new, modern and classic.
River, pool, ping-pong or tennis...your choice
Through to the en suite shower room – very unusual – atypical with its Victorian toilet and vintage French shower bowl – again it all adds to the character of this individualistic bathroom….and again the doors leading to the terrace with a little private seating area.
Stairs lead down from the bathroom to the downstairs twin room. This room can be connected to the master bedroom via the bathroom for children or the door closed for privacy and the room accessed from outside, just below the front terrace. There are 2 double brass beds.
The bedroom downstairs also has its own very unique bathroom, the centre piece a large ceramic bath – rescued from an English boarding school many years ago.
And the most spectacular pool, grass tennis court and games area (ping pong) and badminton. A short distance away from the house accessed from the entrance drive, a few steps leading up to – stone pavers and walls surround the pool area and grass tennis court – Flanking the pool, a built in BBQ, kitchen area complete with fridge, a large table under a canopy festooned with wisteria and pink trumpet vine.
All together complimenting the gorgeous natural surround. A perfect place to enjoy the day – at night the trees light up with fairy lights adding to the magic of this beautiful scene.
Along the banks of the Hozgarganta River and on through glorious woodland.
To the right of the driveway is the 2 bedroom self-contained cottage – perfect for additional members/numbers of the party/family.
One enters the cottage directly into a large open plan room, comprising a fully equipped kitchen running the length of one wall, dining and sitting area around the open fireplace, all under a high vaulted, light wood ceilings. On the opposite side from the kitchen, doors and windows open onto the covered terrace.
Stairs, the first flight unprotected, up to a mezzanine level with 2 single beds. Perfect for children.
The double bedroom and shower room are on the ground floor directly off from the main room, with direct access to the front terrace.
The general atmosphere of the cottage is of light, elegant simplicity – accentuating the rich, natural surroundings. The house is surrounded by wonderful places to sit and enjoy the views down to the Hozgarganta River – during the summer months the river is flanked by a sea of pink adelfa. It is an ideal place for a dip in the cool waters of this totally “virgin” river, that passes through no inhabited areas from its source until reaching Jimena.
This is also an ideal starting point from which to explore this magnificent area, the National Park is heaven-made for walkers, it’s a land of glorious woodland – The acebuche – wild olive tree natural to the Mediterranean area, not used commercially for oil, attract a myriad of wild birds: thrushes, redbreasts, blackbirds, great tits, nightingales, warblers, tree-creeper, wagtails.
Jimena de la Frontera is one of the classic Pueblos Blancos, with it’s 13C Moorish castle watching over the town houses, gardens, streets, bars, and restaurants which climb up the hillside towards it.
All the facts and features about this villa
Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open throughout the year (although, because it’s not heated, the normal swimming season is from late April to September, inclusive)
A weekly change of linen and towels is included for rentals of more than one week
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Please, no smoking indoors
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.
RB/CTC/201666782
| 2024 Season Dates | Main house Only per week | Main House Cottage per week |
|---|---|---|
| 5th January to 18th March | 2,810 € | 3,750 € |
| 18th March to 23rd June | 4,060 € | 4,380 € |
| 24th June to 25th August | 4,690 € | 4,690 € |
| 26th August to 6th October | 4,060 € | 4,380 € |
| 7th October to 8th December | 2,810 € | 3,750 € |
| 9th December to 5th January 2025 | 4,060 € | 4,380 € |
| 2025 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | — | — |
In open countryside, ½ km from Jimena de la Frontera (most facilities) in the Western Costa del Sol region (Province of Málaga).
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