Needle In The Hay

Needle In The Hay: Balearic Islands

Dating back to 1841, this old Mallorcan farmhouse has bags of charm. Wandering the old courtyards and patios, you get the feeling that you’re staying in the renovated ruins of a historic building. Seating nooks are tucked into crumbling alcoves and alfresco dining is surrounded by old olive barrels and the farm’s stone well. A built-in stone barbecue provides the rustic farm feast and there’s a second dining area beneath a curtained gazebo. Slip into the L-shaped swimming pool and unwind with nothing but fields and hills before you.

Heading inside, you’ve got several seating spaces for the whole group to spread out – the grand, stone-vaulted lounge and dining area, rocking chairs in hallways packed with curious artworks (we love the vintage moped), and a tucked-away living room in white and dove-grey. The kitchen still has its 19th-century hearth as a striking feature, but you’ll find all the mod cons and appliances of the 21st-century filling the cupboards too.

The villa sits in unspoiled countryside with beautiful views of the hills all around, but it’s just a few minutes' drive into the centre of Llucmajor for supermarkets and restaurants. If you fancy a day of culture and history, Palma is just a twenty-minute drive away.

Home truths:
*In a remote location, having a car is recommended and there is plenty of private parking
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for infants, just ask
*The swimming pool is not fenced in to children should be supervised