Cortijo Alcornocosa

Amidst the picturesque and unspoilt countryside of the Alcornocales National Park, we followed the private driveway of this grand estate as it meandered its way through gently undulating grounds of cork oaks. However, it was not until we reached a clearing and saw the imposing, gleaming white walls that encircle the fine house that we really appreciated how truly magnificent the setting of Cortijo Alcornocosa is.

Spreading out ahead of us was a vast, uninterrupted panorama encompassing what seemed to be miles and miles of breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Down below in the valley bottom, the turquoise green waters of the Embalse de los Hurones shimmer invitingly between vegetated slopes. Beyond, higher peaks of grey and green signal the start of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.

Our delight at discovering such a spectacular location was increased even further as we made our way through the stone flagged courtyard and entered the house, for here beneath high pitched ceilings, exquisitely furnished rooms exude comfort and style. From the entrance hall, we gasped as we once again admired the view, clearly visible through the wide picture window that stretches from one end of the spacious living room to the other.

Beautifully coordinated sofas and armchairs have been thoughtfully positioned, some around a coffee table by the window and others either side of the fireplace. From the dining area, French windows open out onto a wide covered terrace, beyond which a pretty stone pathway curves through well kept lawns to the swimming pool. Within the main house, four smart bedrooms lie off a wide inner hall and all enjoy the comfort of en suite facilities.

With such fine accommodation and unrivalled views to enjoy, guests could be forgiven for not wishing to leave the grounds of the property. Nevertheless, the nearby whitewashed towns and villages are well worth exploring: the pretty 'pueblo blanco' of El Bosque nestles beneath green hillside just 12km away. A little further on, the leather making centre of Ubrique hangs dramatically over the Río Majaceite, whilst only 30 minutes from the house the larger centre of Arcos de la Frontera spreads out across a huge rock and looks out onto the Guadalete valley. For trips further afield, Jerez, Cádiz and Sevilla are all between 50 and 90 minutes' drive away.