8 Bed Villa with a Pool and Games Room. Large country house in Ubeda Pinoso, Set on a good set on a  manageable plot very private, currently split in to 3 - 4 self contained houses perfect for rental or large families, central heating and mains water and electric, good internet ouside you have a large covered porch and behide the house is the courtyard with large swimming pool with some outbuildings Pinoso or El Pinós rests on the border between the provinces of Alicante and Murcia. This small traditional town is surrounded by the charming Spanish countryside and beautiful sunny homes. Pinoso has a population of around 7,500 and was previously focussed on agricultural with a thriving footwear industry, it is now attracting the attention of foreign buyers as an ideal location for a holiday home away from the hustle and bustle of the busy coastline resorts but with the convenience of access to Alicante and Murcia Airports. There are 45mins and 1hours drive away respectively, with routes to all the major European airports serviced by most of the popular airlines. The origins of Pinoso are a mix of various cultures, including the Iberians, Romans (who probably began the vineyards) and Moors. After the re-conquest Pinoso came under control of the Kingdom of Aragon and at this time was just a small group of hamlets, it gained it's independence from Monovar in 1826. The parish church was built in 1743 in honour of Saint Peter the Apostle. The area around Pinoso is still mostly for agricultural use and grape vines are the most widely grown crop, the local Monastrell variety being one of the most popular and this produces some excellent quality red wines for which the area is renowned. Pinoso is also important for the production of marble and rock salt. Property Pinoso is a popular place for those wishing to purchase rural property away from the busy coastlines of the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida. There are a number of Finca style houses and ruins with large plots of land available to buy in the area. The town enjoys reliable warm and dry weather all year round, so you won’t be feeling those winter chills if you decide to move here. With more and more overseas buyers coming to this area the friendly locals have embraced the international and cosmopolitan environment. Food & Drink Pinoso holds its weekly farmers market on Saturdays and this is a good place to stock up on fresh produce. A lot of the local almonds, olives, and grapes go to Pinoso for processing into wonderful fruity oils and the famous wines. You can buy the local wine in all the bodegas in the area from as little as 60 cents a litre! Pinoso also offers a wide selection of organic wines which you can buy by the box or bottle. A short drive away is the famous wine making town of Jumilla (Murcia region). The wine of Jumilla can be found in most UK supermarkets and the town holds it's famous wine fiesta each August, during which the madding crowd is sprayed with wine while partaking of free local “vino” and the fountain in the main square flows freely with local claret in abundance. Economy Pinoso has been one of the top five richest towns in Spain thanks to the local production of marble, granite, almonds, shoes and local wines. Marble is Pinoso's most important economic product and the Mount Coto area is the biggest producer of limestone marble in Spain. The marble, or "cream-ivory" as the locals call it, has been mined since the 1950's. Alicante province produces over 25% of the total marble production of Spain and of this Pinoso produces over 97% of it from Monte Coto. The School's are fantastic and very welcoming, my 2 children love it here and over the past 8 years have embraced the whole Spanish lifestyle and speak the language fluently. Things to do There are many interesting and vibrant towns to explore and and enjoy near to Pinoso include Jumilla, Novelda, Elda, La Romana, Villena, Yecla, Abanilla and Fortuna. The old town square provides tranquility and relaxation and the local people will make you feel very welcome. There’s plenty to do, from hiking to horseriding, you can even paraglide for a bird’s eye view of the valley. There are three swimming pools that open just in the Summer months and also an all year round sports centre offering various indoor and outdoor activities that appeal to both young and old. There are numerous bars and restaurants to suit all tastes, many of which offer a 3 course 'menu of the day', including a bottle of wine, from 8 Euros. We also have some British bars and a British supermarket for those who miss some things from home. Pinoso, Valencia is situated only 45kms inland from Alicante and the popular Costa Blanca. Benidorm and Torrevieja are within very easy reach, these resorts are full of attractions for the young at heart. Golf is becoming more popular inland, with several new courses planned over the next few years. There are already a number of established and famous courses which offer players the perfect climat to play in. Pinoso Festivities: From the 1-10 of August the Pinoso fiesta is held in honour of Our Lady the Healer with floral offerings and “vaquillas” (bullfights with young bulls). Pinoso Excursions: There are several excellent, entertaining excursions in and around Pinoso like the Cabezo de la Sal mine with its famous red and white walls, the Sierra del Coto marble quarries and the convent in the district of Encebras. Sporting Diary: A section of the “Tour of Spain” cycling passes through and around the surrounding areas of Pinoso. The area also has excellent facilities for horse riding and potholing. Pinoso’s Clock Tower: Pinoso’s clock tower is the most emblematic monument of the town and its origins date back to 1887. Mayor D. Francisco Rico commissioned the project to build the clock tower as the highest point in the town to house the clock, so all the neighbouring villages could behold it. The clock its self came for Madrid in 1889 and still to this day it still need to be wound every 24 hours to keep it ticking. The chime and it’s bells are unique for their high quality and to this day there operation (they don’t make them like they use to!) The clock tower has two bells, one for the quarter hour and one for the hour.   To visit this monument you will need to make an appointment at the Pinoso Town Hall.