Pastoral bliss, comfort and real, rustic charm
This old farmers cottage in a wonderful countryside setting has been restored with great love and respect for tradition. The result is beautiful, as homely as can be ...
"I wanted to let you know that we had the best holiday we've had in years this summer. The villa was gorgeous and my wife and kids were in heaven. "
"I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed staying at ZC22 and what a fantastic time we had. It was a beautiful villa in an amazing spot and we completely fell in love with it. The owners were very kind and gave us fresh fruit and vegetables from their garden and Jeffrey looked after us extremely well, keeping the pool clean etc. The area was lovely and, of course, the weather was amazing! Just wanted to say thank you. We will definitely be back, if not next year then the year after, so keep it for us!
"
Bedrooms
Three (two doubles, one twin bedded).
Pool
Private swimming pool
7.5 m x 3.5 m, 1.2 m - 1.8 m deep.
Location
In open countryside, 7 km from the village of Gaucín in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
Price
From 860 € to 1,800 € per week.
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Villa Description
Glorious natural splendour
Deep within the stunningly beautiful countryside to the west of Gaucín village, wooded hillsides of wild olives and Spanish oaks open to vistas far and wide.
This is a lovely and very comfortable cottage, as homely and rustic as can be with some very attractive details. More than 250 years old, it has been restored with great love and respect for tradition.
The location isn't bad, either, set deep within a sea of glorious natural splendour, the stunningly beautiful countryside to the west of Gaucín village.
Thickly wooded hillsides roll across the horizon richly forested with mature oaks, carobs and olive trees. To the south the picture-postcard landscapes of Los Alcornocales Natural Park (named after its handsome and beautifully kept cork forests, the largest in Europe) 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 …
Private countryside estate
The cottage is on one of the most magnificent private countryside estates in Spain, all 120 acres of it offering views of immense charm and beauty.
It is one of the most serene and peaceful locations anywhere. There's no traffic, not even an electricity pylon to be seen! Sheep's bells clink gently in the distance, a fleeting shadow from an eagle soaring high overhead; birds singing happily in the trees - just the wonderful sights, scents and sounds of pastoral bliss to keep you company.
Seven kilometres from the village of Gaucín, the cottage is on one of the most magnificent private countryside estates to be found anywhere in Spain, all 120 acres of it offering views of immense charm and beauty.
On the Estate there is a main residence (occupied by the lovely English / Asian owners) and two other rental cottages. Each is entirely private and nothing disturbs their glorious seclusion. There is plenty of countryside and acres of space for all.
A joyous scene
The array of wild flowers, shrubs and trees is just one of the wonderful features here. The fragrance of herbs, fruit and flowers pervade the clean mountain air.
The cottage is accessed by a one kilometre farm track (in excellent condition) leading off from the country lane which winds gently down the hillside to the village of Colmenar. Entrance gates open to covered parking (with ample space for a couple of cars) and a short pathway which leads up to the cottage.
All around are mature olive, oak and palm trees. The array of wild flowers, shrubs and trees is just one of the wonderful features here. The fragrance of herbs, fruit and flowers pervade the clean mountain air.
Outside spaces are divine: a big, wide terrace runs along the length of the main house shaded by a cane awning, one of many places here where you will savour the magnificent countryside setting and its joyful peacefulness. It's furnished with a large wooden dining table and comfortable cane seating.
Just beyond, a second sitting / eating area with a teak table and chairs enjoys the dappled shade of a huge, ancient mulberry tree.
The main terrace opens through to the lovely pool and its sunny surrounds to the side of the cottage. Behind and beyond, the rocky, forested terrain clambers dramatically up the mountainside, forming a glorious natural wrapping around the pool terrace. To the south, views are far and wide.
The pool (7.5 m x 3.5 m) glistens gloriously blue in the day-long sunshine. Comfy sunbeds make the most of an idyllic scene.
Homely and rustic
More than 250 years old, the cottage has been restored with great love and respect for tradition.
Inside, the thick walls of this 250 year old farm cottage keep everything beautifully cool and serene. The style throughout is delightfully rustic, the best of its original features carefully retained. It is perfectly complimented by tasteful, quality furnishings throughout.
The main room, under its original and delightfully sloping, beamed ceiling, is divided into a comfortable living area at one end and a dining area at the other, three steps down. In this part, the traditional stone floor remains.
It's a large and very relaxing room, offering simple but classic - and very pleasing - country-style living and comfort. Concessions to modernity include central heating, ceiling fans, satellite TV, DVD and WiFi internet.
The cheerfully rustic kitchen leads off to the rear; it's spacious and decently equipped with a gas oven, 3-ring gas hob, microwave and fridge/freezer. A utility room beyond houses both a washing machine and dryer.
From the dining area, three steps lead up to the twin bedroom, a lovely room with its old floor tiles under a slatted and beamed ceiling. Light floods in from windows on both sides. The matching teak beds are of the highest quality; the en-suite bathroom has a walk-in shower (there's no bath tub).
Exquisite touches
Beds fashioned from solid teak and, here and there, some very beautiful Thai furnishings add an exotic flavour.
Upstairs is given over to the master bedroom suite … an absolutely massive room and every bit as lovely …
Under its beautiful old roof beams are a wonderful teak double bed, a dressing table, writing desk and a day bed. Pretty and very tastefully decorated, a more delightful place to wake up in is difficult to imagine.
Its equally cheerful and traditional en-suite bathroom has both a bath tub (with shower over) and a walk-in shower.
The third bedroom is in the annexe building to the side of the main cottage. Accessed separately, it is entirely in keeping with the rest of this lovely property, this part having a very attractive Thai theme to it. A comfortable double bedroom (the bed is also beautifully fashioned from solid teak and the fabrics are exquisite) leads through to an en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower only).
A little further a field
Whichever direction you head off in, there is something for everyone in this wonderful part of Andalucía.
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.
And there's plenty to do a little further afield. The mountain countryside of the Natural Parks which surround Gaucín is ideal for walkers, bird watchers and nature lovers. Riding stables just outside the village offer guided walks, treks and excursions.
There are lots of fascinating little villages and hilltop towns to explore in this beautiful part of Andalucía.
Gaucín itself is a charming and very pretty mountain village with sweeping views to Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of North Africa. There is a good selection of bars and restaurants serving local fare as well as international cuisine. The centre of the village is a tangle of narrow streets and flower-festooned, whitewashed houses. Standing high above the village are the remains of its old Moorish castle, Castillo del Aguila (the Eagle's Castle).
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!
A drive north from Gaucín along the wonderful mountain road will quickly bring you to Ronda with its spectacular gorge and Spain's oldest bullring. To the south, sandy beaches are less than 45 minutes away at Sabinillas; a plethora of superb golf courses are all less than an hour away.
For the more energetic, sailing and windsurfing at Tarifa is a 60 minute drive. Marbella with its shops, restaurants and night life is also just an hour away. Perhaps you will be tempted to try a taste of Morocco - the fast boat from Tarifa to Tangiers takes just 40 minutes.
Great fun, something totally different … but maybe you prefer to watch Africa from afar, from right here at this traditional, beautifully crafted and very pretty cottage in the hills.
Villa Details
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
Ground Floor
- Living / dining room
- Kitchen
- Utility Room
- Twin bedroom (3 steps up) with two single beds and an en-suite walk-in shower room
- Shaded terraces (furnished)
- Pool terrace (furnished)
- Gardens and grounds
First Floor
- Master bedroom suite with double bed and en-suite bathroom (shower over bath tub and walk-in shower)
Annexe cottage (outside access)
- Double bedroom suite with double bed and en-suite walk-in shower room
Facilities
Entertainment
- Satellite TV (UK Channel Information)
This property has a Freeview box but due to changes to the UK satellite services currently does not receive UK terrestrial programmes, BBC, ITV etc. We will provide updates if this situation changes. - DVD
- iPod speakers
- Radio
- Collection of books and magazines
- WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Amenities
- Open fireplace in the living room
- Central heating throughout (on request, payable locally, see price note below)
- Ceiling or floor standing fans in the living / dining room and all bedrooms
- Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer, Iron & board
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Hair dryer
- Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Kitchen
- Gas Oven
- Gas hob (3 rings)
- Microwave
- Fridge / Freezer
- Toaster, Juicer, Kettle, Coffee pot
- Cooking utensils, Cutlery, Crockery
Outdoors
- Filtered swimming pool (7.5 m x 3.5 m, 1.2 m - 1.8 m deep with entry steps)
- Pool terrace
- Night lighting
- Sun beds
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- Gardens & Estate grounds
- Covered Parking
Notes
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
For larger groups, a nearby one bedroomed cottage can be rented in conjunction with this one. Click here for details of the second cottage
A third cottage on the estate (with three bedrooms) is also available for holiday rentals. Click here for details
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)
Villa Prices
Prices and Seasons
ZC 22
| 2023 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January to 18th March | 970 € | 1,940 € |
| 19th March to 12th May | 1,240 € | 2,480 € |
| 13th May to 23rd June | 1,620 € | 3,240 € |
| 24th June to 25th August | 2,000 € | 4,000 € |
| 26th August to 22nd September | 1,620 € | 3,240 € |
| 23rd September to 20th October | 1,240 € | 2,480 € |
| 21st October to 5th January 2024 | 970€ | 1,940 € |
ZC 22
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Notes
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.
Security Deposit
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.
Villa Availability
ZC 22
Availability 2023
Please contact us for latest availability and to reserve the villa.
Your browser does not support this calendar (Javascript is not enabled). For availability you can contact us directly via our contact form, email or by phone.
Villa Location
Location Map
In open countryside, 7 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga)
Location
In open countryside, 7 km from Gaucin (most facilities) in the Ronda Mountains region (Province of Málaga).
7 km from San Pablo de Buceite (basic facilities); Jimena de la Frontera (most facilities) 25 mins.
Ronda 45 mins; Estepona 45 mins; Marbella 1 hr; Gibraltar 1¼ hrs; Málaga 1½ hrs; Tarifa 1½ hrs.
Jerez 2 hrs; Cádiz 2¼ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs; Granada 3 hrs; Córdoba 3 hrs.
Nearest Airports
Gibraltar 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs.
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
Around and About
This is an excellent base from which to explore this delightful and very beautiful part of Andalucía.
Excursions
- La Costa del Sol with its wealth of sandy beaches, sun, fun and nightlife is just 30 minutes away. Resort towns include Estepona (45 minutes) and glitzy, glamorous Marbella (under an hour).
- Gibraltar, steeped in history, VAT free shops … and plenty of fish & chips is 1¼ hours away.
- Tarifa on the southernmost point of Spain is 1½ hours from here. Looking directly across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, Africa is so close you feel that you can almost touch it!
- Beyond lie mile upon mile of magnificent white beaches on Spain's Atlantic coast, La Costa de la Luz.
- A taste of Morocco perhaps? The fast boat from Tarifa to Tangiers takes 35 minutes, so you can be exploring the local souks in just a few hours. Fascinating and colourful, it really is a different world.
- Spain's unique sherry wine region (Jerez and Sanlúcar), is well worth a visit, enhanced no doubt by stopping at one or two of the famous bodegas along the way! Jerez de la Frontera is 2 hours.
- Cádiz (2¼ hours) continues to evoke the romance, intrigue and mystery of centuries of trade (some legal, some not so) between Europe, Africa and the Americas.
- One of Europe's most important wetland reserves and bird sanctuaries, the Doñana National Park, is a popular attraction for nature lovers (4 hours). Its enormous variety of bird species include everything from flamingos to imperial eagles.
- A beautiful road winds over the spectacular mountains to Ronda (45 minutes), with its spectacular gorge and Spain's oldest bullring, Hemmingway’s favourite town in all of Spain.
- Sevilla takes 2½ hours. It is impossible not to be captivated by its exuberant atmosphere: stylish, confident, ancient and proud, yet also convivial, intimate and fun-loving. If you don't know what alegría means, Sevilla is the place to learn!
- The fantastic railway between Algeciras on the coast and Ronda, to the north, stops at the little pueblo of Colmenar (20 minutes away). One of Europe’s great short railway journeys, running through landscapes which offer constantly plunging and spectacular views, this is a remarkable and wonderful way to see some of Andalucía's best and most dramatic countryside.
- There are a plethora of beautiful white villages and hilltop towns to explore and enjoy in the magnificent countryside of the Serranía de Ronda – Jimena de la Frontera, Casares and Genalguacil to name but a few.
- Nearby National Parks include the fabulous Los Alcornocales Natural Park and the Grazalema National Park, one of the most beautiful tracks of mountain anywhere in Europe. Jagged peaks, gorges, chasms, faults and caves, underground rivers and deep canyons are interspersed, here and there, by some of the prettiest villages in Spain, Grazalema, Zahara, Setenil and the other famous "pueblos blancos".
- Córdoba and Granada are both 3 hours drive from here
Activities
- Guided and self-guided walking, horse riding, mountain biking and yoga are all available in or around Gaucín.
- The village has an excellent municipal swimming pool, a tennis court and gymnasium.
- For golf enthusiasts, there are at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Finca Cortesin, Valderrama, Sotogrande, and San Roque) within 50 minutes drive.
- On the coast (both the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz) there’s every beach pursuit imaginable, from sailing and windsurfing, diving and snorkelling to whale and dolphin watching.
