Everything a country home should be
In a verdant, wooded paradise, yet just 500 metres from lovely Jimena de la Frontera, this traditional house has been restored and converted into a delightful home ...
"What a magnificent Andalusian country house in lovely expansive grounds filled with flowering plants and offering great views across a tranquil wooded valley, all within a few hundred meters of the wonderfully unspoiled pueblo blanca of Jimena de la Frontera. Our family of 5 spent two weeks enjoying the numerous sun terraces around the property and alongside the lovely designer swimming pool. Cool bedrooms, all en-suite, and all leading to their own terrace/balcony - all with air-con and fans, if needed. The living room and separate snug had excellent TV and wifi facilities, again with air-con, with a TV on the lovely shaded terrace too - perfect for watching the Olympics in Rio! Wonderful breezes, lots of wildlife in the surrounding cork forests and super views all round. The kitchen is well equipped, with a large fridge/freezer - ideal. It was a short (uphill) walk to the hill-top Pueblo Blanca village, with 800BC fortress, traditional local shops and excellent places to eat out. Heading downhill there are great walks and river swimming in the valley below. The owners had provided every convenience to make this a truly memorable family holiday. Thank you so much."
"We had a fabulous time at your house in Jimena earlier this month. It really was a great family holiday for us. "
"Just a quick thanks for facilitating a wonderful week in Jimena de la Frontera. Your house is lovely and the surrounding countryside beautiful and fun. Thanks again, I will def be recommending your house and who knows we may be back some day. "
Bedrooms
Four (all double bedded).
Pool
Private swimming pool
irregular shape, 8.5 m x 2.1/5.0 m, 1.2 - 1.5 m deep.
Location
In open countryside, ½ km from Jimena de la Frontera in the Western Costa del Sol region (Province of Cádiz).
Price
From 3,000 € to 4,140 € per week.
Close
Villa Description
Secluded and tranquil
From its lofty position, the house looks out to a verdant paradise of dramatic hillsides, cork oak forests and limestone peaks stretching across the horizon.
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.
Joyful gardens
Complimenting the gorgeous nature all around, colourful shrubs and roses clamber here there and everywhere amongst rocks and trees.
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.
Best of both worlds
Jimena, just a short stroll away, is one of the most charming of Andalucia's small towns.
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.
As private as can be
Set deep within the gorgeous Los Alcornocales Natural Park, peaceful countryside harmony is the order of the day here.
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).
A real home
The house has a proper, lived-in ambience and all mod-cons which include air conditioning, central heating and an extensively equipped kitchen.
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.
Casually rustic
Built into the hillside, the pool area to the side of the house sits very comfortably in its beautiful natural surround.
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!
Country living
The River Hozgarganta is just 10 minutes down the lane, a place to swim in its deep pools and walk along its banks within the magnificent National Park.
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.
Costa living
And there's a different world ... immaculately manicured golf courses and polo fields, sandy beaches and all the sun, fun and frolics of life on the Med.
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
The Villa in Detail
All the facts and features about this villa
Distribution
Ground Floor
- Living / dining room
- Kitchen
- Utility Room
- Guest cloakroom
- Shaded dining terrace (furnished)
- Gardens and Grounds
First Floor
- 2 bedrooms :
- (1) Master double bedroom with dressing area, en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower) and private, furnished terrace (with steps down to the gardens)
- (2) Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom (walk-in shower)
Second Floor
- 2 bedrooms :
- (3) Double bedroom with access to the front roof terrace
- (4) Double bedroom with access to the front roof terrace
- Bathroom (shower over bathtub)
- Sun terrace
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. - 2nd portable TV
- DVD
- Portable speaker with iPod connectivity
- Books (including walking guides) & DVD's
- Computer (& printer)
- Broadband internet connection, both wired and wireless (WiFi)
Amenities
- Open fireplace in the living room
- Wood burning stove in the 2nd lounge
- Central Heating throughout
- Air Conditioning throughout
- Washing Machine / Dryer, Iron & board
- All linen is provided (including pool towels)
- Hair dryer
- Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Kitchen
- Smeg Range cooker (with 2 electric ovens, one with a spit roast)
- Gas hob (6 rings)
- Microwave
- American-style fridge / freezer / icemaker
- Dishwasher
- Toaster, Blender, Kettle, Coffee machine
- Cooking utensils, Cutlery, Crockery
Outdoors
- Filtered swimming pool (with an irregular shape, 8.5 m x 2.1/5.0 m, 1.2 - 1.5 m deep) with entry steps and night lighting
- Pool terrace with pergola
- Sun beds & loungers
- Night lighting around the pool and in the gardens
- Covered dining terrace
- Outdoor dining and garden furniture
- Barbecue (gas)
- Garage Parking
- Gated property
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 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
Prices and Seasons
ZC 98
| 2023 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1st July to 1st September | 4,200 | 8,400 |
| Rest of the year | N/A | N/A |
ZC 98
| 2024 Season Dates | Week | Fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Prices Pending | --- | --- |
Security Deposit
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
ZC 98
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, ½ km from Jimena de la Frontera (most facilities) in the Western Costa del Sol region (Province of Cádiz)
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.
Nearest Airports
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.
Around and About
This is an excellent base from which to explore this delightful and very beautiful part of Andalucía.
Excursions
- There are a plethora of beautiful white villages and hilltop towns to explore and enjoy in the magnificent countryside all around – starting, of course, with Jimena de la Frontera just up the lane. One of the most charming of Andalucia's small towns, its Moorish castle presides over a village well known for its traditional houses, narrow winding streets, bars and restaurants. It's charming.
- Others include Gaucín, Casares, Genalguacil and lovely old Ronda, all surrounded by the majestic mountain scenery of the Serranía de Ronda and the fabulous Los Alcornocales Natural Park which starts right outside your door! It's a paradise for walkers, riders, bird watchers, nature lovers and anyone looking for calm and relaxation.
- To the south there's Sotogrande (30 minutes away), a a completely different world of indulgent opulence and immaculately manicured golf courses and polo fields. Immediately beyond lie the sandy beaches, sun, fun and marinas of the Med. Resort towns include Estepona (50 minutes) and glitzy, glamorous Marbella (an hour).
- From here you are equally well placed to head for the Atlantic beaches on the Costa de la Luz. Gibraltar, steeped in history, VAT free shops … and fish & chips, is less than an hour away, but perhaps of more interest is Tarifa on the southernmost point of Spain, an hour 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.
- 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 a 90 minute drive.
- Cádiz (1¾ 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.
- From Gaucín (20 minutes away) a beautiful road winds over the spectacular mountains to Ronda (45 minutes from Gaucín), 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 nearby Jimena. 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.
- Córdoba and Granada are both 3 hours drive from here
Activities
- Here you are in the heart of the "Costa del Golf" with at least 25 top quality golf courses (including Finca Cortesin, Valderrama, Sotogrande, and San Roque) all within half an hour's 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.
- Jimena de la Fontera has a decent municipal pool and there's excellent swimming in the pools of the nearby Hozgarganta river.
- The surrounding Los Alcornocales Natural Park is heaven-made for great walking. A bird watchers paradise too, no doubt you will be accompanied by ravens, golden orioles or huge buzzards soaring high overhead.
The Area
Costa del Sol
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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Jimena de la Frontera
Surrounded by the majestic Alcornocales Natural Park and dominated by its Moorish castle, Jimena is a real Spanish gem …
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