The Old Mill

Holiday home The Old Mill, suitable for a very comfortable stay of up to 10 people + 3 children and 2 babies, is a lovingly restored old mill in the heart of the rolling hills of the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park in north-western Andalusia. The house is located an hour and a half north-west of the elegant old city of Seville, famous for its Moorish and Jewish heritage. A couple can happily enjoy the home, and a group of family and/or friends will particularly enjoy the very sociable kitchen, pool and terrace areas.

Description holiday home The Old Mill

The mill is said to be over two hundred years old and retains much of its original structure. The oldest reference dates from 1893 and two of the original millstones can still be found in the garden. In the village of Cañaveral de León, a perfectly restored olive mill has opened as a museum for anyone interested in seeing how a similar mill once functioned. The house is nestled in the hills overlooking a ‘dehesa’ valley – trees as far as the eye can see. It is only a few minutes to a road heading to the small town of Jabugo. Xabuga, as the place used to be called, is known throughout Spain, and increasingly abroad, for the quality of the ham it produces: Jamón de Bellota.

The property stands in 2,5 hectares of olive and fruit trees, as well as cork and holm oaks, and in the spring the orchard is covered with wild flowers. The birds are constantly singing and there are some very special birds to spot, from the spectacular black vulture to the beautiful European bee-eaters, the lesser spotted woodpecker, and even charming goldfinches. White stork nests adorn the local churches. There is a lovely, large, new swimming pool, as well as two plunge pools next to the house, a petanque court, a table tennis table and a massage studio next to the pool. A large table, made from 17th century old pine trees, stands on the upper terrace for dining on balmy evenings.

The huge kitchen dominates the upper part of the mill with its ‘bar’, dining table, benches, chandeliers, and views across the grounds and the hills to the whitewashed town of Cortegana with its castle. The house has underfloor heating in every room which is controlled by thermostats. Keep in mind that it takes time to get every room up to temperature!

The Old Mill has been made as ‘green’ as currently possible. The hob uses induction technology, there are solar panels on the roof, the hot water boiler uses wood chips, and the water comes from its own well. Decorations, furnishing and carpets in the house come from different parts of the world: South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Of course there is internet in the house and in the surrounding grounds.

Layout of the holiday home

The entrance to the house is through the large old chestnut brown door which opens into the hallway. To the left are the stairs that lead to the kitchen, living room and upstairs bedrooms. On the right you will find the “Chestnut” bedroom and stairs to the “Holm Oak” and “Millstone” bedrooms . There is also access to the terrace, with 2 plunge pools (appr. 4 x 3 metres each) and a comfortable seating area for 8 people, from the hall.

The huge kitchen has everything a foodie could wish for in equipment + an 8-person bar, 10-person dining table and a large corner sofa and coffee table. The ceiling of the kitchen is a whopping 6 meters high at its highest point. The kitchen opens through an arch into the large living room, again with a high ceiling, fireplace, sitting area, and on a loft you will find the tv, a double sofabed and 2 cots for infants. The living room has next to it a shower, a toilet with bidet and washbasin.

From the living room you reach the “Library” bedroom with a single bed and built-in wardrobe (bathroom in the hallway), followed by the “Cork Oak” bedroom with a king-size bed, dressing table and two large built-in wardrobes, an en-suite bathroom with shower, bidet and toilet, and a door leading to the terrace.

The “Chestnut” bedroom on the ground floor has a comfortable king-size bed, two built-in wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom with shower, bidet and toilet. In front of this room you will find the door to the terrace and the stairs to the “Stone Oak” bedroom with king-size four-poster bed, dressing table and built-in wardrobes. This bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with shower, bidet and toilet. In front of the room is a small sitting area, door to the terrace and the stairs to “Mill Wheel” bedroom. This bedroom has a four poster bed, its own sitting area and a high ceiling side room with built-in shelves and a clothes hanging area. Fun fact: the mill wheel once hung in this ‘walk in closet’. There is also an en-suite bathroom with bath, shower, bidet and toilet.

Near the pool (8×5 metres) is a small casita with wood burner, kitchen worktop, small fridge and sink, convenient for poolside drinks or a salad. This is also used for massages in the summer.

Surroundings of the The Old Mill

The holiday home is located a few minutes from Jabugo, a small town, about 15 minutes from Aracena, the main town in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche National Park. The Old Mill is not far from Portugal to the west and Extremadura to the north. You can reach the coast within an hour and a half, Seville is a 1.5 hour drive as well, and you are in Faro within 2.5 hours. Aracena itself offers beautiful limstone caves and a very nicely preserved castle.

Remarks

• The property manager is on hand to resolve any issues and to make restaurant and other bookings. The nearest airport is Seville.You can also fly to Faro in Portugal, Jerez, Cordoba or Malaga.
• The owners of the holiday home ask for a returnable security deposit of € 500,-
• Reservations possible from Saturday to Saturday, exceptions in consultation.
• For an additional payment, you can book a massage at home, and a local chef is usually available to provide meals cooked at The Old Mill.

Availability

Reservations preferably from Saturday to Saturday.
Minimum stay is 4 nights.

Price

Includes

• Electricity and water.
• Duvets, sheets, towels, soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.
• Welcome pack with carefully chosen local products for arrival and breakfast, for stays of at least 7 nights.

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Facilities

• 2 cots and high chairs (on request)
• 2 ovens
• 2 plunge pools
• 5 bedrooms + 6 bathrooms
• American Fridge
• Central Heating
• Cot
• Dishwasher
• Dryer
• Fire place
• Fridge/Freezer combo
• Garage for 4 cars
• Grounds of 2,5 hectares
• Loungers
• Outdoor kitchen
• Outdoor shower
• Parasols
• Petanque court
• Pool
• Pool with gate
• Several terraces (2 with small fridge)
• Tv (Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, HBO)
• Underfloor heating
• Very complete welcome package for a stay of 7 nights or more
• Washing machine
• WiFi
• Woodburner in casita