Earthen home
4.81 out of 5 average rating, 104 reviews4.81 (104)Cottage in Traditional Cork Forest
Converted Shepherds Cottage in Traditional Cork Forest, with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen & private terrace and a family shared swimming pool is available. Situated in beautiful countryside of cork trees, olive groves and vineyards, on the foothills of the Serra D’ Ossa 20 km south of Estremoz.
Ideal for sight seeing in a scenic and historic part of Portugal and within easy reach by motorway of Lisbon (2 hours) and Spain (1 hour).
There are a myriad of activities to enjoy on the farm. For the walkers or mountain bikers there are kilometers of footpaths around the 540 hectare farm for you to explore and for those wishing to venture further afield, the nearby peaks offer unrivalled views of the surrounding countryside. Serra d’Ossa lies at 500 metres above sea level and boasting one of the driest climates in Europe. The absence of light pollution makes this an astronomers’ paradise.
Twitchers can enjoy seeking out over 70 species of birds in the unique habitat provided by the cork forest, several of our past guests are members of the RSPB and have made lists of the birds they have seen / heard. Here is a list of a few: White Stork, Booted Eagle, Red Kite, Kestrel, Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Hoopoe, Red-Rumped Swallow, Great Bustard, Little Bustard and Bee Eater. Visitors to the local damn include black winged stilts and the occasional avocet. Very occasionally, bustards can be seen in the lower plains.
Within a one-hour drive from the farm, you can also explore nearby towns including Evora (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Estremoz famed for its Saturday morning market, Vila Viçosa with its two royal palaces, Reguengos and even neighbouring Spain. Historical tours of Evora can also be arranged through a private guide.
Vineyards : While predominantly a hilly cork forest , a vineyard has recently been planted in an open valley producing Alicante Bouschet, Aragonêz, Touriga Nactional and Syrah quality grapes. Most of the grapes are sold; however a selection of the best quality grapes are retained for the production of a high quality red wine sold in Portugal under the Cem Reis label, and in the Netherlands under the Het Tientje name. This wine has been awarded silver medals in Wine Masters Challenge (Portugal), Mundus Vini (Germany), and Challenge Du Vin (France). Next year a white wine will also be produced from viognier grapes.
Our wine and some products are available for purchase onsite.
