Mill House on an Organic Cork and Cattle Farm with a Summer Camp for Children

A fabulous old grain mill dating back to before the 16th century that has been lovingly restored into a wonderful family home full of character and charm. Ideal for families, with a large garden, a children’s trampoline, swing, and slide, table tennis, a basketball hoop, a treehouse, and a fenced private swimming pool measuring 9x6m. Located on a private organic cattle and cork estate (1,000 acres) in the Alcornocales Natural Park and just a short drive (25 km) from the famous beaches of the Costa de la Luz and Tarifa.
The building’s unique character has been emphasized in its redesign, combining traditional and contemporary elements; a glass window in the floor downstairs offers a glimpse into how the mill operated, and clever lighting highlights the stonework of the columns and archways. Other original features from its history as a mill have also been preserved, including its meter-thick walls and flagstone tiles, which help keep El Molino wonderfully cool even at the height of summer.

The downstairs features a large open-plan layout with vaulted ceilings that surround the state-of-the-art modern kitchen, complete with its enormous Silestone countertop and breakfast bar. The kitchen is extremely well-equipped, with everything needed to satisfy even the most accomplished cook; its six-burner range cooker and American-style fridge/freezer/ice-maker make this an ideal setting to make the most of some of the fantastic local produce (the Algeciras market is one-of-a-kind, offering the best Mediterranean and Atlantic fish in the area, not to mention a plethora of Moroccan delicacies) or even to try the homegrown organic beef! Beyond the kitchen lies the dining area—and where better to feast than at the 12-person oak dining table? The centerpiece of the living room is the massive wood-burning fireplace, complemented by a Scandinavian-style sofa and armchairs.

Downstairs, there is one double bedroom with an en suite bathroom featuring its own Moroccan-style wet room. The other bedrooms are all upstairs—the master bedroom is the largest, featuring a super king-size bed; in August, you need only reach out the window to pick some of the delicious figs from the tree! The other bedrooms include two smaller double bedrooms, a children’s bedroom with a king-size bed that can also be converted into twin beds, and one children’s bedroom with a single bed, all featuring splendid high ceilings with wooden beams and ceiling fans. There are two bathrooms upstairs; the “white” bathroom has been decorated with seashells from Tarifa Beach and features a large bathtub, twin sinks, and a walk-in shower. The second bathroom has a shower and was renovated in 2019.

The garden is located at the back of the house on the mezzanine level; it seems to stretch as far as the eye can see, as the lush lawn slopes down into the farm’s pastures where long-horned Retinto red cattle graze and storks nest and clack. The rear terrace was expanded in 2016; with natural shade from the fig and Judas trees, the large banquet-style wooden table and benches are the ideal spot for entertaining. There is also now an outdoor kitchen equipped with cabinets containing cutlery, plates, and glasses, a sink for washing dishes, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator. Cooking can be done on the industrial-sized stainless steel Weber barbecue and gas stove!

The garden is very child-friendly, featuring a hammock seat in the fig tree, another one under the shade of the eucalyptus trees, a 14-foot in-ground trampoline by the pool, a table tennis table, a basketball hoop, and a treehouse. There is also a climbing frame with a slide, two swings, and a trapeze. (Toys can be provided for guests’ use upon request.)