Andalucia, Malaga, Colmenar, Spain

Chaming old cortijo, which is situated in a quiet setting set deep in the hills in the Montes de Malaga, which was originally built in 1850 as an olive pressing station, or 'lagar', situated in a quiet setting along a very good dirt track of around 4.7km and just 20 minutes from Colmenar.

Typical of these old dwellings and with no neighbours, this lovely property has a wall built along the upper boundary and can become very private and independent from its neighbours.

The cortijo sits on a huge plot of undulating land, with various areas that are flat enough to have an orchard, vegetable patch, etc., the rest dropping into a valley and up the other side. There are many olive and almond trees, along with plenty of natural vegetation and indigenous species such as carob and oak trees.

The location is ideal for walkers and nature lovers, far from everywhere. A track leads down to the 3 houses and a private drive leads to the Lagar. A front garden, with a lower area ideal for a large above ground pool that could be flush with the ground at one end and leaving ample space for a sunbathing terrace area. A small ruined building sits by the main cortijo, perhaps worthy of restoration to make a separate apartment or a workshop.

The cortijo is on 2 floors, each of which are spacious with high ceilings and beautiful wooden ceilings with beams (to be completed in some places). There is plenty of scope for renovation to suit individual requirements, be it a B&B for walkers, or just a lovely, ancient, rambling home, lost in the Andalusian hills.

Ground floor: 1 huge room with the original mill equipment and 2 deep, brick-built wells in the floor that could be kept and incorporated into the flooring with a glass top, to make a feature in the fully restored cortijo. There is a downstairs bathroom and a large rustic style kitchen, with doors out to a rear patio courtyard.

Upstairs: 3 bedrooms to one side, and a huge additional area which could be divided up to suit individual requirements. Plans exist for 5 bedrooms and 4/5 bathrooms upstairs. An interesting feature is the original sundial built into the corner of the outside wall.

This stunning old house is just waiting for the right person to come along and give it the love and attention it deserves. The nearest town is Colmenar, which is around 10km to the north and Malaga city is within an hour.

REFERENCE: 229399