Classic Spanish style is the order of the day here at this converted farmhouse set deep in the glorious countryside to the west of Gaucín village ...
The classic Andaluz courtyard around which the farmhouse is built is dominated, of course, by a huge palm tree.
This stylish villa is one of three lovely cottages on a huge and very beautiful estate set deep in the glorious countryside to the west of Gaucín village.
Comprising 120 acres of magnificent mountain scenery – with views to match – there is plenty of countryside and acres of space for all. Each is entirely private and nothing disturbs their glorious seclusion.
Classic Spanish style is the order of the day here, starting at the splendid courtyard entrance around which the farmhouse is built on three sides of the quadrangle.
It goes without saying that the courtyard is dominated by a majestic central palm tree. The beautifully weathered old roof tiles of the farmhouse are gorgeous, impossible to replicate other than by the passing of time.
Lovely original features are classically combined with rich fabrics, classy furnishings and colourful ceramics and artifacts.
Inside, it just gets better and better. To the left, the entrance hall leads through to a beautiful living room. Very comfortable and with a delightfully restful ambience, the exemplary good taste of its owners is evident in the way they have reformed and furnished it. Its lovely original features remain and are classically combined with rich fabrics, classy furnishings and colourful ceramics and artifacts.
A wide arch takes one seamlessly through to the dining room, another elegant space with its sumptuous teak dining table taking centre stage. The wide bay window is the perfect spot for the “Beatrix Potter” writing desk – one can almost imagine her sitting here, looking out to the olive grove outside.
The kitchen comes next, decently equipped with a gas oven, 3-ring gas hob, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer. A utility room beyond, at the end of this wing of the house, houses the washing machine.
One can almost imagine Beatrix Potter sitting here, looking out to the olive grove outside.
Returning to the entrance hall, the master bedroom leads off to the right. Another lovely room, it exudes calm, serenity and elegance. The spacious en-suite bathroom alongside has both a bath tub and walk-in shower.
Both the living room and the master bedroom have double doors which open to a wide and very inviting terrace which runs the length of the property at its rear. A cane awning provides ample shade.
Immediately outside the living room, this cobbled space is furnished with a big teak table (it comfortably seats eight) for al fresco dining and comfortable wicker furniture where one can relax and take in the view which stretches out before you beyond the low terrace wall.
An archway connects this part of the terrace with the adjoining part immediately outside the master bedroom, making the latter semi-private. Greenery clambers up and around the terraces; geraniums and other pot plants add vivid splashes of colour to an enchanting and tranquil scene.
To the side of the terrace, a gateway opens to a wide sun terrace (furnished with a table, chairs and sunbeds) and the inviting swimming pool (8 m x 4 m). Beyond there’s nothing but sumptuous views over a dazzling countryside scene …
Deep within the sublime countryside to the west of Gaucín village, thickly wooded hillsides open to vistas far and wide.
Thickly wooded hillsides roll across a horizon richly forested with mature oaks, carobs and olive trees. To the south the picture-postcard landscapes of Los Alcornocales Natural Park 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 … one of the most serene and peaceful locations anywhere. Sheep’s bells clink gently in the distance, birds singing happily in the trees. There are just the wonderful sights, scents and sounds of pastoral bliss to keep you company.
The other two bedrooms, one a double and the other twin bedded, are accessed from the front courtyard. Both have en-suite bathrooms with a walk-in shower (no bath tub).
All three bedrooms (and the living and dining rooms too) have ceiling fans. The thick, traditional farmhouse walls offer excellent insulation as well, keeping everything cool even in high summer. Equally, they help maintain a warm and cosy ambience in winter, augmenting the open fireplace in the living room and central heating throughout.
The cottage is on one of the most magnificent private estates in Spain, all 120 acres of it offering views of immense charm and beauty.
Access is easy, along a one kilometre farm track (in excellent condition) leading off from the country lane which winds gently down the hillside from Gaucín (seven kilometres away) to the village of Colmenar.
Here you are deep in some of Spain’s most sublime countryside. All around are orchards of peach and orange, mature olive, oak, mulberry and fig trees. The array of wild flowers, shrubs and trees is just one of the wonderful features here. The fragrance of wild herbs, fruit and flowers pervade the clean mountain air.
Elsewhere on this huge estate there is the main residence of the lovely English / Asian owners and two other, rather more rustic, rental cottages.
The local village, Gaucín, is another of Andalucia's special delights, one of Spain's most beautiful pueblos blancos.
All around there are the fields, orchards (there are peach and orange trees just below the cottage) and woods (olive, oak, almond and mulberry) of the huge estate to explore. There is a horse and a donkey as well as cows and free range chickens.
The local village, Gaucín, is another of Andalucia’s special delights, as pretty as a postcard, one of Spain’s most beautiful pueblos blancos. Spectacularly situated high on a mountain ridge, 629 meters above sea level, it enjoys sweeping views to Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of North Africa beyond the sea.
It offers a good selection of bars and restaurants and some above-average local shops.
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!
There’s something for everyone around and about. Excellent day-trip destinations, none of which should be missed, include the historic towns of Ronda, Jerez de la Frontera and Cádiz, each of them offering good shopping and fine restaurants as well as lots of history and architecture of great beauty. Each has its own unique atmosphere.
The truly magnificent city of Sevilla, one of Europe’s great destinations, is little more than a couple of hours from here.
For those who want a day on the beach, Mediterranean resorts are just 30 minutes drive to the south while the white Atlantic beaches of the Costa del la Luz are ninety minutes away.
And what better, at the end of a lovely day, than to return here to your own little piece of Andalucía’s rural paradise. Wonderful views, the peace and quiet of the countryside, genuine charm … and a lovely, comfortable home!
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)
Please, no smoking indoors (and please take great care outside too, in the dry summer months)
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
A second cottage on the estate (with three bedrooms) is also available for holiday rentals. Click here for details
A third cottage on the estate (with one bedroom) is also available for holiday rentals. Click here for details of the second cottage
Please note that arrival time must be before 10pm for this property.
A weekly change of linen and towels is included for rentals of more than one week
Additional maid service is available on request (payable locally)
Cooking services can be arranged upon request (payable locally)
If required, there is an additional charge for central heating of 40 Euros per day, (payable locally)
Please note that arrival time must be before 10pm for this property.
A 300 Euro security deposit is required on each booking. This is held against your credit or debit card and will be cancelled one week after your holiday, subject to any reductions for breakages or damage. See Terms and Conditions for full details.
RB/CTC/2016092144
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January to 22nd March | 1,270 € | 2,540 € |
| 23rd March to 17th May | 1,580 € | 3,160 € |
| 18th May to 28th June | 2,100 € | 4,200 € |
| 29th June to 30th August | 2,730 € | 5,460 € |
| 31st August to 27th September | 2,100 € | 4,200 € |
| 28th September to 25th October | 1,580 € | 3,160 € |
| 26th October to 31st December | 1,270 € | 2,540 € |
| 2025 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January to 11th April | 1,330 € | 2,660 € |
| 12 April to 16th May | 1,660 € | 3,320 € |
| 17th May to 27th June | 2,210 € | 4,420 € |
| 28th June to 29th August | 2,860 € | 5,720 € |
| 30th August to 26th September | 2,210 € | 4,420 € |
| 27th September to 24th October | 1,660 € | 3,320 € |
| 25th October to 31st December | 1,330 € | 2,660 € |
In open countryside, 7 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
