Modernised cottage with Annex and swimming pool in beautiful peaceful setting

As seen in Channel 4’s “A New Life in the Sun” Series 6, Episodes 16, 17 and 18.
Open all year round, Casa dos Cavalos is a Modernised detached cottage in Central Portugal, with 2 bedrooms in the main cottage and an optional detached 3rd bedroom/Annex and a swimming pool, set in 2.5 acres of olive groves, fruit trees and a small forest. It is located in a little village called Arrifana, 6km from Sertã, 4km from Cernache du Bonjardim and a 5 minute drive from the main road IC8 and a few minutes walk to two local cafes/bars. It is very easy to get to, being close to main routes, but in an extremely peaceful setting surrounded by nature.
Sertã is a hidden gem in the centre of Portugal, set amongst river valleys, rolling hills, forests and little villages.
We are a registered Alojomental Local with Sertã council and comply with their rules and guidelines.

THE SPACE
Casa dos Cavalos is a modernised cottage with log fired heating system and all the amenities you would expect, tv, free wifi, microwave, cooker, dishwasher, washing machine, gas BBQ. The main house accommodates 4 people in 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, lounge and kitchen/diner. There is also the option to rent the Annex, suitable for up to 2 people, containing 1 bedroom and bathroom at a small additional nightly fee. The Annex is only available to rent as an addition to the main house. A cot and high chair are available upon request. The lounge has a traditional Portuguese stone floor and log fire, the bi-folding patio doors lead to the shaded pergola with dining table and outside cooking facilities and looks out at the swimming pool, Annex and paddocks. The sparkling pool (built within the old threshing circle) for your exclusive use, is located in a lovely sunny position to the rear. It is cleaned and checked daily. There are corner steps leading into the shallow end and another set of steps in the deeper end. The depth of the pool is 1.0m at its shallowest and 1.5m at its deepest, the average summer water temperature is approximately 27°c. The pergola and patios are equipped with sun loungers, table and chairs and a gas BBQ and burners for outdoor living. The back garden is edged mainly by cork oaks, elm oaks and pine trees. You will be surrounded by nature, finches, tits, woodpeckers, nuthatches, siskins, squirrels and many other birds and there are bird baths and feeders to encourage the birds into the garden. The small forest is also full of wildlife activity. The paddocks are fairly flat and filled with olive and fruit trees, such as orange, lemon, cherry, Fig, plum and nectarine.
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Sertã is a very pretty, bustling market town nestled in the hills of Central Portugal. It has plenty of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and cafes. You can enjoy a glass of wine or your dinner overlooking the river which flows through the town. The local wine, beer and food is good value, fresh and locally sourced. It has a tourist centre, chemists with English speaking pharmacists, a library with an English section and internet access and a sports centre boasting both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There is also a small renovated 1930s cinema.
Around the area are many beautiful river beaches, which are sections of river dammed off to provide safe swimming. They are provided by the councils, free to use and most of them contain changing, shower and toilet facilities and an on-site restaurant/cafe/bar. During the summer there are many local music, culture and food/drink festivals in Sertã and surrounding towns.
We are located just off junction 29 of the IC8, both Lisbon and Porto airports are within 2 hours drive away. Within 1 hours drive you can visit the larger historic towns of Tomar, Coimbra and Castillo Branco. The nearest costal town is a little over 1 hours drive away.

YOUR HOSTS
Your hosts, Alison and Rod, who will be there to welcome you on your arrival, are living at and renovating a neighbouring property. We respect your privacy, but you will often see us attending to the swimming pool or working in the paddocks tending to the trees, cutting grass etc. Please feel free to come and talk to us at any time. We moved from busy lives in the UK to this beautiful part of Europe in June 2016 to enjoy a quieter, healthier life in a better climate. We are very enthusiastic about our hometown and would love to share our enthusiasm with recommendations for places to visit and restaurants to try. Each day we are still astounded by the beauty of the surroundings, culture and friendliness of the people here and Portugal has been announced as the 3rd safest country in the world.

PLEASE NOTE
We do not have facilities for wheel chair users, the doors are not wide enough and we do,not have a wet room. However, if you have someone who cannot manage stairs, the detached Annex is ground floor level located to the rear of the property accessible via a path with one step which can be bypassed by using the grass. Anyone requiring this facility please ask.