Lovely country house, walking distance to Montefrio, with private, gated pool

Surrounded by olive groves, this lovely Andalucian country house is just a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk (through olive groves and then a well lit, wide pavement) from Montefrio with its many shops, bars and restaurants, two beautiful churches and a castle that perches dramatically above the pretty white-washed town. Situated down a well-maintained track (absolutely no need for a 4x4), this light, airy and comfortable house sits centrally in its level two acres (fenced and gated) and is secluded but not at all isolated.

On the ground floor there is one double bedroom; a bathroom; and a large, open plan, ‘L’ shaped room with well-equipped kitchen, sitting room area with doors onto the terrace and a wood burner, and a large dining area also with doors onto the terrace.

On the first floor there are three further bedrooms: one with a super-king sized bed and ensuite bathroom; one with a double bed; and one with twin beds (that can be pushed together if required). There is also a family bathroom on this floor.

The house is equipped with crisp, white linens, all bedrooms have fans and there is heating if you are visiting in the winter months when the evenings are chilly.

In the vast garage, accessed via the house or the terrace, there is a washing machine and an additional fridge.

Outside, there is an enormous terrace with a shaded area for dining. From the terrace, steps (gated for safety) lead up to a raised pool area with further terracing, 8 sun loungers and a shaded area. There are lovely views of the olive-studded surrounding hills from the pool terrace which is sun-soaked from dawn until dusk.

There's a cherry and a persimmon tree on the large terrace which provide shade when the sun gets too much; or retreat to the hammock in the shade of the substantial trees at the side of the house; the porch provides a wonderfully sunny spot for early morning breakfasts in spring time but is otherwise a fabulously cool place to sit with a good book or a cup of coffee.

The area immediately around the house provides a pretty, neat and well maintained garden and the remainder of the land the house sits on is rural and well-used by a Spanish neighbour, when the house is not occupied, for his sheep.

To one side, close to the kitchen window (handy for passing out beers and sausages), there is a stone-built barbeque in a shady spot under the trees.

Beyond the pool area there are fruit and nut trees and a meadow area, smothered in wild flowers in springtime and early summer.

The delights of Montefrio, lazing by the pool or walking the many fabulous routes in this area may well take up all your time. However, the house is also perfectly located to explore Andalucia: lively Granada and the famous Alhambra is less than an hour away; historic Seville, with its many attractions, including its pretty, flower-bedecked Jewish quarter, and equally historic Cordoba, with its beautiful Mezquita, are both an easy day trip either by train or car. Skiing in the Sierra Nevada is possible within an hour and a half; and if you MUST have a beach, you’re spoilt for choice on the south coast (1 hr 30 mins) or, much closer to home, there’s the soft, sandy beach at Iznajar Lake (30 mins) where you can also take out a canoe or pedalo. You’ll find golf easily accessible near Granada, a wolf sanctuary at Antequerra, along with the El Torcal Nature Reserve, and there’s a chocolate factory to visit at Rute - all just a taster of what the area has to offer.