Unique 2 Bed 2 Bath Villa near Sedella. Stunning views & heatable pool.

We live in The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, and are fortunate enough to be surrounded by nature and wildlife, although our busy jobs don't allow us to enjoy our local outdoor space as much as we would like to. Our children are both grown up with homes of their own, so with a few years to go yet before we retire, we decided to take the plunge and buy a home in Spain.

We first visited the Axarquia in 2016. The memories of the pink-tinged mountains we saw on that first drive from Velez-Malaga towards Vinuela in the late afternoon stayed with us, and we always tried to make a detour to visit the area whenever we were in Spain. In 2021, following a health scare and multiple covid lockdowns, we decided it was time to realise our dream of owing a home in Spain. Although we love the sea and the beach, we chose a home in the mountains for the peace, tranquility and views. We love the authenticity of this part of Andalucia, where you still hear the tinkle of goat bells at the end of each day, bread and cheese vans still visit the villages, and the locals are friendly and patient with our terrible Spanish.

Las Cinco Palmeras felt like a home the first time we viewed it, but it was the location that really sold it to us. About a kilometre and a half from the main road down a well-maintained track, it's still close enough to walk into the village if you're feeling energetic, but only a 5 minute drive if you're not. Our guests are looked after by a local English couple who will meet and greet on arrival and are on hand to help with any questions about the house or local area during your stay. We have open countryside views from the front of the house, and the pool terrace and there are only a few houses beyond us on the track, so it's an incredibly peaceful spot. Often all you can hear during the day is birdsong. At night, there is very little light pollution so the star-gazing is amazing. Our local village, Sedella, is tiny, and picture perfect. A maze of narrow streets tumble down the hillside from the church square, most cobbled in intricate patterns and pictures, bordered by colourful pots of geraniums, cacti, and other bright flowers. There is a restaurant, and a couple of bars to sit outside and soak up the atmosphere, and a small village shop. For us, the house is the perfect antidote to our busy work lives and family responsibilities. A place we can come and instantly relax. We love it here. We hope you will too.