Property Description
This compellingly romantic hideaway for a couple has bags of rustic charm and a really beautiful, lawned garden hidden away in the trees behind the cottage. It is a rural idyll, a wonderful place to be with your loved one.
More than 250 years old, it comprises two little white-washed buildings just a couple of metres from each other and linked together by a delightful, covered terrace.
You will immediately be drawn to the private garden a few steps up behind the house. Built into the hillside and surrounded by magnificent, high trees, it's a divine spot, one made in heaven!
The good sized pool (7.5 m x 3.5 m) glistens gloriously blue, gorgeously set off by the extensive swathe of well maintained, lawned gardens which surrounds it. Many a happy hour will be spent here: there's a gazebo at the far end of the garden, a teak table and chairs and, of course, sunbeds.
It is one of the most serene and peaceful locations anywhere in Spain. 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.
This is as good as countryside living gets. The cottage is on a magnificent private estate of immense charm and beauty, 120 acres of stunningly beautiful countryside, seven kilometres 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.
The two little cottages have been restored and converted with great flair to create a perfect hideaway for a couple. They are all about simple country pleasures, the style throughout remaining delightfully rustic. Original features have been carefully retained, complimented by tasteful, quality furnishings.
There is a covered parking area (for one car) and, just beyond, a few steps take one up through a pretty front garden, gloriously shaded by a huge oak tree. This leads to the shaded front terrace where a beautiful Moroccan table will comfortably seat four. This is a perfect spot to start (and end) your day. There is a brick barbecue to the side.
The main cottage building is on the left. One enters to a sweet little living room with a comfy red sofa and coffee table in front of the satellite TV and DVD. There's a CD player and a selection of books and magazines. It's all very simple - but utterly charming too. Furnishings are a mix of traditional Moorish and Oriental; all are of excellent quality.
The thick walls of the ancient cottage keep it well insulated; warm and cosy in winter, cool and calm in high summer. Central heating (throughout) and a ceiling fan help too.
This leads through to a very pretty bedroom which also has a ceiling fan. The beautifully crafted teak-wood double bed guarantees a good night's sleep.
Beyond is the bathroom with a walk-in shower (there's no bath tub). As everywhere in the cottage, the original stone floors and traditional ceiling lend great character.
Just across the way from the living room, is the second little building which has been converted into a kitchen / diner. It's delightfully rustic with a table and chairs (for two) on one side of the room, the kitchen on the other side. It's spacious and reasonably equipped with a gas oven, 3-ring gas hob, fridge/freezer and washing machine. Perfectly adequate for rustling up some simple fare.
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 from Gaucín to the village of Colmenar. 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.
The Estate comprises 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.
For details of the other rental cottages click here and here. Both have three bedrooms and sleep six.
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 is also a horse, donkey, cows and free-range chickens on the estate itself.
Gaucín is one of Spain's most beautiful pueblos blancos, spectacularly situated on a mountain ridge, 629 meters above sea level, just half an hour inland from the Mediterranean Sea. It enjoys sweeping views to Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of North Africa from its pretty, whitewashed houses and tangle of narrow streets.
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 Mediterrranean beaches are less than 45 minutes away. Superb golf courses a plenty are all within an hour's drive from here.
For the more energetic, sailing and windsurfing at Tarifa is a 60 minute drive. The high speed ferry from Tarifa to Morocco takes just 40 minutes to transfer you to a completely different world! Marbella with its shops, restaurants and buzzing night life is little more than an hour from the cottage.
But there's every chance that you wont want to go anywhere … this cottage in the hills is a little piece of paradise … a perfect first (or second or third) honeymoon retreat.
Contact Us
Would you like to book this property? Any questions? We are here to help
00 34 958 763 381
Property Details
Main Cottage :
Living room
Double bedroom
Bathroom (walk-in shower, no bath tub)
Second Cottage :
Kitchen / dining room
Outdoors :
Large private rear garden
Front garden
Covered, furnished terrace
Estate grounds
Facilities
Satellite TV (Free to view) • DVD • CD Player • Collection of books and magazines • WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)
Central heating throughout (on request, payable locally, see note below) • Ceiling fans in the living room and bedroom
Gas Oven • Gas hob (3 rings) • Fridge / freezer • Toaster • Juicer • Kettle • Coffee pot • Cooking utensils • Cutlery • Crockery
Washing Machine • Iron & board
All linen is provided (including pool towels) • Hairdryer • Cot & Highchair available (on request)
Filtered swimming pool (7.5 m x 3.5 m, 1.2 m - 1.8 m deep with entry steps)
Gardens & Grounds • Night lighting • Sunbeds • Barbecue • Outdoor dining and garden furniture • Covered parking • Gated entrance
Notes
The swimming pool is open throughout the year (although, because it's not heated, the normal swimming season is from April to September, inclusive)
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)
A welcome hamper can be provided on request (payable locally)
Cooking services can be arranged upon request (payable locally)
If required, there is an additional charge for central heating of 7 pounds per day, payable locally
Please, no smoking indoors (and please take great care outside too, in the dry summer months)
For larger groups, a nearby three bedroomed cottage can be rented in conjunction with this one. Click here for details of the second cottage
A third cottage on the estate (also with three bedrooms) is also available for holiday rentals. Click here for details
Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday
Location
In open countryside (accessed by a 1 km farm track (in good condition), 7 km from Gaucin (most facilities)
Mediterranean beaches 40 mins; Golf courses 50 mins; Ronda 55 mins; Marbella 65 mins; Gibraltar 1 hr; Málaga 1½ hrs; Jerez 2 hrs; Sevilla 2½ hrs
See the location map above
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.
Car Hire
We offer competitive rates for car hire from Málaga and other airports in Andalucia. Click here for full details
Find Out More
About the Ronda Mountains
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