Casa del Hortelano

The house Pedro and María bought in 1957

Casa del Hortelano is a traditional Chinchón farmhouse bought in 1957 by Pedro "El Hortelano" and María. He was the third generation of market gardeners in his family; the greenhouses were opposite, where Calle de los Huertos now runs, and María sold the vegetables at the door of the house. The house keeps an inscription dated 1698, a room layout from the early twentieth century or earlier, and a cave-cellar with its original clay tinajas. The family still works the kitchen garden, vineyards, olive grove, flowers and esparto, and if you are interested you can try their seasonal produce.

It is about five minutes' walk from the Plaza Mayor, in a quiet area, and 45 km from Madrid by the M-404.

Rented whole, for ten

It is not rented by the room: it is the whole house, for up to ten people. It has three large bedrooms, one with a jacuzzi, two bathrooms, an equipped kitchen, a dining-living room with fireplace, terraces with views of the Counts' Castle and a Castilian patio that opens onto the parking. There is heating and wifi. It is a house for large families or groups of friends who want to sleep together in the town and spend time indoors.

The website does not publish prices, minimum stay or check-in and check-out times outside the booking form: ask on 600 672 708 or at [email protected].

The car, inside the property

In Chinchón, parking near the square at weekends is difficult, and here you can leave your car inside the property, a few steps from the door, for €10 per car per night; when booking you say how many cars you are bringing. If you prefer not to pay, the free public car park of San Roque, at Carretera de Morata de Tajuña 4, is nearby.

With a dog or cat

It admits up to two pets per stay, dogs or cats, at €10 per pet per night, which covers extra cleaning. Dogs of potentially dangerous breeds must arrive with their licence and third-party liability insurance. They must be vaccinated; they may not go on beds or sofas (bring their bed or a blanket), may not be left alone in the house for more than two hours and on the patio and terrace must be on a short lead. There is enclosed outdoor space.

What is nearby

Five minutes away, the Plaza Mayor; the Counts' Castle can be seen from the terraces. To eat without cooking, the Mesón Cuevas del Vino is a short walk away.