Villa Description
This delightful and very tranquil property really does enjoy the best of both worlds: set deep within the gorgeous Los Alcornocales Natural Park - and with views to match - it is, nevertheless, just a couple of minutes (500 metres) from Jimena de la Frontera, one of the classic pueblos blancos of Andalucía.
A lovely, traditional house set in its own 3½ acres of wooded grounds and gardens, it has been restored and developed into a really delightful country home by its English owners.
It's everything it should be - comfortable, homely and with all mod-cons.
Charming little Jimena de la Frontera clambers up a steep hillside between two rivers. From close to the top of town, a very pretty country lane descends down the other side of the hill heading towards the Hozgarganta River, deep in the valley below.
You are immediately immersed in a totally different world, a verdant paradise of dramatic hillsides, huge leafy trees hanging high overhead; cork oak forests and limestone peaks stretching wide across the horizon.
It's divine countryside and this property enjoys it to the full from its lofty, hillside position.
A short driveway leads up from the lane, through the gate and up to a parking bay with the garage alongside. From here lawned gardens sweep up the slope to the house, the steep hillside behind thickly forested with eucalyptus, pine and cork oak trees. It's a magnificent and very secluded setting.
The extensive gardens to the side and in front of the property are a joy. Appropriately informal, they compliment the gorgeous nature all around. Colourful shrubs and roses clamber here there and everywhere amongst the rocks and trees.
Night lighting along the pathway and in the gardens adds to the beautiful scene.
There are steps leading up to the house and more to the side, going up to the pool and its wide terrace surround. Built into the rock face, this a really delightful spot which makes the very best of the fabulous views down the valley.
It's a pool area which has been deliberately created to be casually rustic and its all the better for it, because it sits very comfortably in its natural surround.
It has everything a good pool area should have, sunbeds and loungers under a shaded, timber pergola at one end, simple wooden tables and chairs for relaxing here and there; night lighting both in and around the blue waters of the mosaic-tiled pool.
Please note that there are one or two places where there are unguarded drops so care should be taken in these areas. And, given the number of steps around and about, it's certainly not an ideal rental property for anyone with wobbly legs.
A wide, covered terrace immediately in front of the house is another fabulous spot to enjoy the views and the peaceful countryside harmony.
It's as private as can be - there are a handful of other properties on surrounding hillsides but they are all a long way away and almost all are completely hidden from view by the trees.
Comfortable cane sofas wrap around the far corner, there's an outdoor dining table and chairs (seating eight) and a built-in barbecue. Roses and bougainvillea clamber up and around, providing delightful contrast to the gloriously green oak forests all around.
From here, one enters to a spacious and attractively appointed living / dining room under a beamed, sloping ceiling. Its charm is entirely in keeping with the relaxed, country-style: a plump sofa and armchairs gathered around the fireplace, central heating and air conditioning (both are throughout the house), original paintings and books and a proper, lived-in ambience (the owners spend much of the year here).
At one end, an arched wooden doorway opens through to a second, smaller lounge with a couple of sofas, an antique woodburning stove, satellite TV and DVD player in the corner, plus a work desk equipped with a computer and printer (both of which clients are free to use).
There is both wired and wireless broadband internet connection.
A second, smaller portable TV can be used in the main living room or on the terrace if you prefer (there are worse places in the world to follow progress at Wimbledon … ). An iPod docking speaker can also be moved around and about.
At the other end of the living room an archway opens through to a good-sized, extensively equipped kitchen with a large Smeg range cooker (with six gas rings and double electric ovens), an American style fridge/freezer with an ice maker and drinks dispenser, dishwasher, granite work surfaces et al.
A utility room houses the washing machine and there is also a guest cloakroom on this floor.
Stairs lead up to the first floor where there are two bedrooms.
The master suite has its own dressing area leading on to the en-suite, walk-in shower room and a lovely, furnished private terrace with fantastic views through the eucalyptus trees to the river valley and beyond. Steps lead down from here to the gardens below.
The second bedroom (also a double) has an en-suite walk-in shower room and views to the forest which rises up behind the house.
The other two bedrooms are on the second floor, separated by a bathroom (shower over bathtub) which they share between them.
Both are double bedded and both open to a sun terrace which runs along the length of the house. Arguably, this terrace has the very best views of all!
Jimena, just ten minutes walk up the lane (and only five minutes returning as it's downhill), is one of the most charming of Andalucia's small towns, its 13th Century Moorish castle presiding over the pretty town houses, tapas bars, restaurants and churches which climb up the hillside.
Head off in the other direction and within minutes you will be down by the river side. Popular in summer (because one can swim in its deep pools), it's a very beautiful spot whatever the time of year.
From Jimena's Moorish castle (another lovely walk from the house) there are uninterrupted views to Gibraltar, Africa beyond, and mile upon mile of fertile valleys, orange groves, forests and mountains.
The surrounding Los Alcornocales Natural Park is heaven-made for great walking.
The owners have an intimate knowledge of the area and provide detailed walking routes and itineraries to help you explore the very best of it. No doubt you will be accompanied by ravens, golden orioles or huge buzzards soaring high overhead.
If walking in paradise is not your thing, you can choose between Mediterranean beaches on the Costa del Sol (just half an hour away) or, a little further on, the wilder beaches on Spain's Atlantic coast. Sotogrande and Tarifa are both popular choices for day trips.
For golf enthusiasts, there are at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Valderrama, Sotogrande and San Roque) close by. Or, if you are looking for something really different, how about nipping over to Morocco for the day!
Heading inland, the timeless beauty of some of Spain's most impressive Natural Parks awaits you. There are lots of charming towns and villages to discover along the way - Gaucín, Genalguacil and, further to the north, delightful old Ronda and the mountain village of Grazalema are all very attractive, lovely places, all well worth visiting.
If you don't want to take the car, try the wonderful, narrow gauge railway which runs from Jimena to Ronda, stopping at little white villages along the way. Further afield the great historic cities of Andalucía - Sevilla, Granada and Córdoba - are between two and three hours drive.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will always enjoy returning to this charming and very relaxing country home.
Villa Details
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 note that this hillside property has some unfenced drops around the pool and a lot of steps around and about the property. Due care and attention must be taken.
It is not suitable for the elderly or anyone with wobbly legs and children under seven are not accepted.
A weekly linen change and house cleaning are included; the house is also given a light clean mid week
Rental start and finish days for this property are usually flexible
Villa Prices
2023 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
1st July to 1st September | 4,200 | 8,400 |
Rest of the year | N/A | N/A |
2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
---|---|---|
Prices Pending | --- | --- |
A 500 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
Villa Location
In open countryside, ½ km from Jimena de la Frontera (most facilities) in the Western Costa del Sol region (Province of Málaga).
Gaucín (most facilities) 20 mins; Sotogrande 30 mins; Gibraltar 45 mins; Estepona 50 mins.
Ronda 1 hr; Tarifa 1 hr; Marbella 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs.
Jerez 1½ hrs; Cádiz 1¾ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs; Granada 3 hrs; Córdoba 3 hrs.
Gibraltar 45 mins; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 1½ hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs.
See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.
The western Costa del Sol and its beautiful rural hinterland extends south from Marbella to the rocky British outpost of Gibraltar …
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Surrounded by the majestic Alcornocales Natural Park and dominated by its Moorish castle, Jimena is a real Spanish gem …
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