Chapel of Charm

Chapel of Charm: Catalonia

La Torre de Claramunt is a sleepy village just a fifty-minute drive from bustling Barcelona. Home to an 11th-century castle and plenty of Catalan charm, those wanting a break from city life will enjoy wandering the old-world alleys with local restaurants, bars and bakeries. It's also where you'll find this characterful apartment, set on the grounds of an illustrious estate, bordering on one side to the medieval city centre and on the other side to the green valley. The former home of the Marques de Gironella, it's said he built this home in 1900 to rival his elder brother's castle across the way – no wonder the views at the Castell are so good.

What we love most about this cosy flat is its heritage. It used to be the chapel, and you can feel that history in everything from antique furniture to the sky-high beamed ceilings. But it's not all ancient appeal here – there's a sleek bathroom, a glossy kitchen fit for rustling up tapas and underfloor heating powered by solar panels to keep frosty toes at bay. There's no air conditioning here, but due to the home's high ceilings and excellent isolation, the apartment stays cool in summer, and there are fans too, so you'll scarcely miss it.

Start your morning with an espresso on the sunny patio before strolling among the gardens – you can splash in the shared pool filled with natural spring water, play a game of table tennis, chess or checkers in the Spanish sunshine or use a mountain bike and cycle the unspoiled routes right on the grounds. End the evening with a catered meal (we suggest paella) and a glass of regional Penedès wine as the sun goes down – your host leaves a bottle for you in the welcome basket.

Home truths:
*Two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the living area
*Cots, high chairs, changing pads, toys and a baby bath are available on request
*You'll need a car to explore the local area – there's free parking on-site
*Your host provides a welcome basket featuring a local bottle of wine, fruit juice, water and cooking staples like olive oil, pepper and salt
*This home is set on an estate with other apartments – the entrance is shared with other residents, as are the gardens, swimming pool, playground and table tennis table
*There are a few mountain bikes available for hire
*Barcelona is about a forty-five-minute drive on the A2 – it’s about an hour train ride to Capellades, which is five minutes away from this home