Family activity holidays in Spain | Family holidays

Andalucia’s Secret Sierra from the Old Mill

Andalucia – chestnut woods & hidden valleys

Holiday information

Nights: 7
Accommodation: exquisite cottages
Meals: self-catering
Activities: walking, donkey trekking, cultural visits

How our holidays work

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Accommodation at a glance

1, 2 or 3 double or twin bedrooms (sleep 2-6)
1 or 2 shower rooms
sitting/dining room
well-equipped kitchen
underfloor heating
shared vegetable plot
shared barbecue
outdoor terrace
shared pool
shared tennis court
nearest shops and restaurant 5 mins

About Aracena >Declared a Natural Park in 1989, the Aracena Sierra forms part of the western reaches of the Sierra Morena, Spain’s longest mountain range. Its allure lies not just in its gently rolling landscapes, but also in its timelessness. There are only 40,000 inhabitants scattered over its 3,000 square kilometres, and the villages – and their ways of life – have changed little over the centuries. Ruined castles hint at more turbulent times – the border with Portugal is not far away – while mosques built by the Moors and cobbled Roman roads transport you even further back in time. You can still see mules ploughing allotments, hear the ringing of goat bells in the woods, and see men leading donkeys laden with shiny chestnuts. Sleek black Iberian pigs roam the oak forests, their diet of acorns making for delicious air-cured ham which is famous throughout Spain. Indeed, the regional gastronomy is excellent, featuring succulent gurumelo mushrooms, distinctive shellfish and caracoles (snails).

stylish houses in a beautiful, tranquil setting
shared pool and tennis court on site
one of the prettiest, most interesting areas in Spain
walking notes included
7 days' car hire included

Tucked away close to the Portuguese border, the Aracena Sierra is a land of glorious woodland and far-reaching views, of soft, rounded hills and crystal-clear streams. Dotted across the cork-oak clad slopes are small, workaday villages. Their inhabitants live in harmony with the land and, as you walk along inviting paths through mature woodland and picturesque valleys, you get a glimpse of Spanish rural life – men leading donkeys laden with shining chestnuts, workers preparing for the cork harvest, and farmers tending the sleek black pigs which provide the region’s prized air-cured ham.

Outside, we had our own terrace tucked back round a corner of the house and a communal pool and barbecue area lay just down the hill. The view from our window was glorious.

Sarah Vine, The Times

The rolling hills lend themselves to leisurely discovery on foot and lazy family picnics. Indeed, this is a region not to be rushed, as exploration of the sierra’s timeless villages reveals hidden architectural gems. Staying in one of the exquisite self-catering cottages at the Old Mill, with a hire car included for the week, you can explore as the mood takes you, spending your days exploring the sierra’s charming villages, lazing by the panoramic pool, or taking part in activities such as tennis, walking and horse riding.