Figueira

This annexe, about 25m from our village house with a ‘secret garden’ is perfect for digital nomads, permaculture enthusiasts and those looking to trial a more off grid lifestyle here in Central Portugal without a commitment to signing up to contracts and utilities.

One bedroom detached eco-annexe, on the ground floor, lovingly refurbished using natural and recycled materials. Comprises open plan sitting and kitchen area, one bedroom (with a double and bunk bed, so sleeps 2+2 in one room) and a private shower room. This is 29m2 tiny home, totally self-contained annexe of our traditional Portuguese village house – your hosts live on site. Access is via our main gate, around the side of the main house and onto a terrace which contains a basic camp kitchen (shared use). The sitting room contains modular sofas and a cosy wood burning stove. At the other end of the room, a lovingly recycled and refurbished, quirky kitchen comprising sink, units for storage, full gas hob and oven and small fridge. Natural dishwasher liquid, tea towels and towels are provided. NB there is no washing machine. The shower room, off the bedroom has a large shower made from an old wine barrel, which was sourced from a winemaker in the next village. It also has a handbasin over cabinet and a compost toilet. The compost loo is a ‘bucket system’ - you need to take the bucket down the garden to empty it! There is also a shared ‘long drop’ compost loo in the garden, providing choice. It’s a great way to see if you enjoy the off grid life, with no risks! Hot water is provided via a gas boiler from bottled gas. We provide towels and handmade soaps in a welcome pack. The bedroom is fresh and simply furnished, with a double bed, bunks, chest of drawers and hooks for hanging clothes. Bedding is provided. The whole space is yours, and it is part of the garden of our family home. Directly outside Figueira is a shared terrace which also contains the camp kitchen and a beautiful old Linden Tree. The Figueira that the Annexe is named after is just outside and is a glorious old fig tree, very productive and delicious!

Located is a beautiful rural village in the wine making countryside. It’s set on a hill, with views down onto the surrounding olive groves and vineyards. Access on the main street is pretty level, which means getting to the local baker, shop, café or vegetable seller is simple on foot. There are two big village festivals every year, one in mid-August and the other to celebrate wine harvest Vindimas usually on 2nd week in September. You can also visit on the second Sunday after Easter to see the 1km long flower carpet through the village; well worth a visit! Our neighbours are mainly Portuguese; some have lived here for decades. They are welcoming and generous people, who might invite you in for a glass of home-made wine. Past guests have enjoyed lending a hand during grape or olive harvesting times (September to December) and been treated to a family meal as well as a wonderful day out at the heart of village life. In the surrounding there are many points of interest, such as walks, forests, caves, castles, rivers, river-beaches and of course the picturesque city of Coimbra. You might like to visit the famous library at Coimbra University, home to bats who keep the bookworms at bay, or the Medieval Fayre at Penela castle in mid-May, a feast for the eyes, ears and the stomach! We’re happy to recommend things based on your interests.

At 5 minutes by car are all the facilities of Miranda do Corvo (a typical small market town with a great weekly produce market). Within 20 minutes by car are many beautiful river beaches, mountains of Serra da Lousã, the City of Coimbra, Roman ruins of Conimbriga. We are 45 minutes from the coast at Figueira da Foz. We are 1 minute from the nearest junction of the main A13 highway, using this road you can be in Coimbra in 10 minutes.

Guests have shared access to our family garden, which is wild and in constant change. We love the many wild creatures we see here, including bats, woodpeckers, fireflies, eagles and the javali (wild boar) – who were responsible for ploughing up the garden last year. The terrace has two steps up to a roughly level lawn with trees and a kids trampoline. The whole garden is a work in progress! We often have small scale building works ongoing (natural building, for example) and the garden is beautiful but still has undeveloped areas, so care is recommended. There are various approximately terraced levels on a gentle South West slope, many mature trees including orange, fig, olive and native oaks and we hope to reinstate our vegetable garden in the coming months. There is a shared compost toilet, low-tech solar heated shower and compost area for vegetable waste. There is a shared (basic) camp kitchen with sink, fridge, gas hob, seating and wood fired bbq. We are gradually making changes with a permaculture ethos and we are also working to develop more guest and volunteer spaces for future sustainability.

Long leases are possible of more than 1 month and less than 6 months. Sorry we can't provide paperwork for Visas. No smoking site. Pets are welcomed by arrangement. Internet is usually on a timer and is switched off between around 11pm until 6am. If you need it outside these times please discuss this with us. Thank you. There is a wifi point in the camp kitchen. Firewood is not included, but is available from a local seller at cost price. Fair use policy for gas and electricity, equal to 1 gas bottle or 50 euros electricity per month. Surcharges will apply beyond these limits, please ask for details. Please include the sheets and towels in your own washing trips to the launderette during your stay. Pets welcome by prior agreement. Please note we have 2 resident cats, so dogs must be kept on a lead and good with cats, please. We ask animals are kept off the beds and – please – don’t wash your pet in the shower! Free parking off road at the front and rear of the property