Casa da Cascata - How Many Houses Have Their Own Gorge?

Great Price - substantially reduced.

CASA DA CASCATA (CASCADE HOUSE)

Zen paradise with solid income. A grouping of three restored houses in magical location, private gorge, waterfalls, fantasy ‘tropical’ gardens, breathtaking views, 12m infinity pool.

This is a rarity – one of the most privileged locations in the region, and benefiting from a warm micro-climate. The houses stand entirely on their own at the end of a cobbled street, tranquil and not overlooked, c. 100 mtrs from the village of Carvalhinhos. The village is obscured by a bend in the road. Beyond the houses is forest track, so there is almost no passing traffic. All three enjoy a sunny, south-facing aspect. The view is quite breathtaking, down a wooded valley to the hills beyond.

The magical ‘tropical’ gardens are bordered along c. 120 mtrs by a series of tumbling cascades, through rock pools, giant rocks and ferns. Winding paths lead to little ‘secret’ terraces, where you will find a walled garden with Japanese-style hot tub; a small Chinese pagoda perched on a crag; a lily pond into which tumbles a 5-metre waterfall; and of course the 12m spring water pool, constructed infinity-style to make the most of the gorgeous view. Birdsong and the gentle rush of the cascades are normally the only sounds to be heard in this verdant paradise, but when illuminated at night they are even more fairly-tale.

The property stands in the Serra da Lousã, Portugal’s ‘Tuscany’, one of the country’s loveliest and most diverse regions, noted for its lush countryside and warm, clear lakes and rivers (great for swimming).

Only forty minutes by car or train from the houses, Coimbra is the regional capital and Portugal’s third city. Here you can find vast shopping malls, as well as the quaint streets and squares one would expect of this medieval university city, on the banks of the River Mondego. It is known as ‘City of Doctors’, and has one of Europe’s leading university hospitals. Fast, reliable and cheap trains link the city to Lisbon and Porto.

For everyday needs, the town of Miranda do Corvo is only ten minutes’ drive from the houses. It has shops, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, cinema, public indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a health centre and a metro station (to Coimbra). Five minutes’ drive through the forest takes you to Espinhal, which has a few basic shops, a pharmacy, bank, cafés and Sunday market. The picturesque fortress town of Penela is just twelve minutes away.

The Main House consists of a grand entrance hall; three double bedrooms (one with en suite Jacuzzi bathroom, two with verandas); family double shower room; utility room; good-size fitted kitchen; inner hall with under-stairs cupboard; huge living/dining room with feature stone walls, massive ceiling beam, wood-burning fireplace; glazed doors to covered terrace, on which there is an outside toilet.

From the sitting room of the main house there is a connecting door (easily blocked off) through the near one-metre thick walls to the One-bedroom cottage, which has a large living/dining room with wood-burning stove, fitted kitchen, door to outside terrace, steps up to large double bedroom and fully tiled shower room. This cottage could be let or serve as granny flat/visitors’ accommodation.

The separate two-bedroom cottage stands about 20 mtrs from the main house, but screened off by a huge tangerine tree, and on a different level, assuring mutual privacy. It has its own very large terrace commanding wonderful views. Inside on the ground floor is a large living/dining room with fitted kitchen, wood-burning fire, under-stairs cupboard, bedroom with adult bunk beds. Steps lead up to a tiled shower room and large double-bedroom with vaulted wooden ceiling and a veranda with those heart-stopping views. This cottage can produce a very useful income from tourist rentals. All houses were renovated a few years ago and are in excellent decorative and functional order. Double-glazed throughout. Main house has oil-fired central heating throughout; others have programmable oil-filled electrical radiators. Mains water and electricity. Drainage to septic tank. Undercover parking for two cars, space for three more. Garden shed with electricity and water.

Fantastic price for a quick sale, as the owner needs to sell due to personal reasons.