Ourique

A beautiful, renovated Portuguese Farmhouse,set within 8.14 hectares of stunning beauty, including lake, swimming pool, terraced gardens and citrus fruit trees, within a huge conservation area. Beautiful lakes of Santa Clara and Monte da Rocha within a short range.

House and annexe approximately 305 m2
2 en suite bedrooms
Kitchen/dining area. Furniture and tools included.
Dining room, sitting room
Annexe bedroom with en suite shower room
Small office, laundry room, workshop

Location
The property is located in the conservation area of Southern Alentejo, 7 kilometres south west of the town of Ourique, it is 3 kilometres off the made up road in the heart of the country which has endless options for quiet walking and riding. Its location affords total privacy with the sound of silence and spectacular starlit nights. Other properties are nearby but in no way intrusive. The region is showing strong interest from buyers who want the country and convenient to all centres of population. Major tourist developments are poised to raise the profile whilst not threatening the conservation area.

General Description
The property is a wonderful mix of a small orchard, grapefruit trees on 1.16 hectares, a palm tree-lined drive leads to a house of character with environs that defy description. Terraced stone gardens lead down to a group of 11 small greenhouses (estufas,) fully irrigated and highly productive for household organic vegetables and soft fruit.

Entrance Hall and Cloakroom 20 m2
An arched passageway with storage area above the cloakroom, fitted bookshelves, storage area for footwear and outdoor clothing. The cloakroom has a vanity basin with fitted cupboards below and WC.

Kitchen 3.3 x 7.6m.
A modern fitted gas cooker is set in an original fireplace with granite surrounds. Natural wood fitted cupboards with a single granite work surface and a cosy dining area. All white equipment included in sale. Archways to dining and sitting rooms.

Pantry 3.3 x1.25m
Including fitted large freezer and fitted shelves for food storage.

Dining Room 3.3 x 5.25m.
An open wood burning fire, with a natural stone surround, telephone point, archway to sitting room.

Sitting room 43 m2.
Double French doors lead to the patio and swimming pool. It is an L shaped room with a wood burning fire, satellite TV point, double doors to master bedroom.

Master Bedroom
4.2 x 4.7m en suite bathroom 4.3 x 2.3m closet 2.8 x 2.3m. Fitted king size bed, en suite bathroom with tiled surrounds, vanity double wash-hand basins with fitted cupboards, bidet and WC. Walk-in closet with shelves and hanging rails throughout.

Bedroom 2
3.3 x 3.26m Double bedroom with en suite shower room 3.3 x 1 .8m with vanity unit, fitted cupboards and WC.

Annexe bedroom
8.5 x 3.4m Double bedroom with en suite shower room, pedestal wash hand basin and WC. Stable-door to cosy porch area for relaxing to front.

Small office
4.5 x 2.5m. Totally renovated and equipped with ISDN lines for computer, fax and telephone.

Workshop
4.3 x 2.4m. Two large benches, fitted cupboards and power points.

Patio
7.65 x 4.75m. Overlooking the lake it is the focal point for al fresco living throughout most of the year. A profusion of flowers and colourful climbing plants complete the picture.

Washhouse/Wine store
3.3 x 2.2m Utility room - washing machine and tumble dryer together with main gas heater for all hot water, a large built in wine rack.

Storeroom with integrated bread oven 2.2 x 1.9m.

Swimming Pool
10 x 4.5 m installed in 2002. It is maintained through a system of either solar power or generator when in use for other purposes. Filtration and electrical equipment is contained in a purpose built pump house.

Alternative Energy
The energy needs are met by a combination of solar power and generator located some 200 metres away. It is a highly sophisticated system controlled from the house. In addition a three phase pump supplies all the irrigation needs throughout the property.

Water Supply
Obtained from a deep borehole drawn to a large water tank, from which it is distributed for household and irrigation purposes. Historically there have always been ample supplies, further demonstrated by a recent drought lasting eighteen months when supplies were plentiful.

Wildlife and Conservation
The property is an exclusion zone for hunting, usually a few partridges, hare and quail are to be found, with wild boar in the vicinity. Swallows nest in the patio producing the joy of aerial display and rearing of their young during the spring/summer months. Other regular visitors include buzzards, herons, storks, kingfishers, harriers, blue magpies and, very occasionally, vultures, with a wide range of birds of passage dropping by throughout the year.

It is expected that wildlife numbers will increase dramatically as shooting associations replace the free for all that has existed to date.

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