All about Campo Del Moro

Campo Del Moro is set within an extensive finca in the stunning Sierra de Montanchez in Extremadura. It is surrounded by beautiful, unspoilt oak woodland within a protected mountain area, and yet only 30 minutes from three world heritage towns, Merida, Caceres and Trujillo.

From the finca you can amble along ancient paths up into the mountains or to the Moorish town of Montanchez or the charming village of Arroyomolinos. All are beautiful walks with vast views and a chance to see how rural life is still very much alive in this part of Extremadura. The olive and fig groves are well tended, the roads are kept in good shape with water gullies and cobbles. You will more than likely come across donkey and horse traffic which is often the only way to reach most of the fincas in the area. There are bikes for hire if you want to explore further afield, maybe to the mysterious Visigoth temple of Santa Lucia set in a vast oak forest where the Iberic black pigs roam freely, eating the acorns which help to give such a distinctive flavour to the famous local jamon.

Besides lovingly restoring and running Campo Del Moro, Pippa and Manfred are enthusiastic travellers. Their last trip was to the Capo Verde islands off the coast of Senegal and they have been regular visitors to Morocco. You will find tasteful touches from their travels in all the tents at Campo Del Moro.

Pippa also tries to find time to paint. Her ambition for the future is to have a proper studio rather than lugging canvases and paints around the house. She is also busy with a writing project which was originally inspired by the Battle of Arroyomolinos, fought on the olive groves next to the finca in 1811. The whole project has now sprawled out of control to cover all sorts of weird and wonderful events and personages in Portugal, Spain and England during the Peninsula wars and the Regency period in England. Luckily she is enjoying the research so much that it doesn’t really matter if the project ever gets finished!

Environmental policy

At Campo Del Moro, the whole finca is run by a powerful solar energy installation and the water supply is from a deep bore hole which runs 100 meters through pure granite so the water is as pure as spring water. It is delicious to drink and extremely good for you. All the buildings at the finca are designed with good insulation against cold and heat.

Wildlife

Campo Del Moro is well known among wildlife photographers and film makers as it has an exciting and diverse plant and animal presence. There are 2 pairs of eagle owls nesting in the crags above the barn meadow, you will also find short toed eagles, bee eaters, azure winged magpies, hoopoe and hundreds of other species.

Getting there

Campo Del Moro, Finca Al-Manzil, Montanchez 10170, Extremadura, Spain.

Please try to call by telephone when you are on your journey so that Pippa can arrange to meet you on arrival.

By Car

Follow the A5, then E90 south towards Badajoz and then Cáceres. Exit at Trujillo and follow the signs for Cáceres. (Do not take the sign for Caceres before Trujillo!) Just before leaving Trujillo there is a sign for Montanchez on the left, take this and continue for 30 kms until the roundabout at Torre Santa Maria which is a busy junction. Cross straight over towards Montanchez and continue until the next roundabout with a bar called Parador de Padriño. Follow signs for Merida and Alcuescar, (NOT Montanchez.)

After 2kms take the left turning to Arroyomolinos at the crossing with Albala. Continue for 1km until you see the sign for Finca al-manzil on the left. Continue for 500 meters up the lane until you reach the finca. Campo del Moro is the 1st gate on the right. Parking is opposite the gate.

By Train

The nearest train station is Caceres which is 40 km from Campo Del Moro. Cáceres is served by several trains daily originating in Madrid, Lisbon and Badajoz. Details of all services are available on the RENFE website.

Bus

The nearest bus stop is Montachez which is 7km from Campo Del Moro

Pick-ups

If pre-arranged, Pippa and Manfred are happy to pick you up from Merida, Caceres or Trujillo for €20 per journey.

If you are getting to the Cabin by train, bus or any other non-car means you can think of be sure to take a photo and enter our Go Greenly competition to win a 4 night stay at The Wagon or The Ark.

Things to do

Outdoor and active

Walking and hiking in the Sierra is spectacular. Clambering among the towering granite boulders is great exercise and is rewarded by stunning views. The natural swimming pool is right outside your tent and there are 3 other swimming pools available nearby for cooling off in the Summer, all with very pleasant surroundings, bars and snacks. There are also bikes for hire and experienced riders may enquire about horse and donkey riding.

Towns and Villages

Caceres and Merida are UNESCO world heritage sites and are endlessly fascinating. Trujillo is an undiscovered gem, most of the Spanish conquistadors were born here. Trujillo, Caceres and Merida are all about a 40 minute drive from Campo Del Moro. About 1 hour away is the town of Guadalupe, the home of the original black Madonna celebrated all over South America. There are excellent museum and gallery collections in the local towns.

At Campo Del Moro

The casa has a varied selection of books, DVDs and board games for guests to enjoy.

Eating & drinking

Eating at Campo Del Moro

Eating and drinking is a large part of the wonderful service you will receive at Campo Del Moro. On arrival guests are welcomed at the barn with tapas and wine. It is also a magical experience to enjoy a candle-lit supper of tapas under a canopy of twinkling stars, sitting outside your tent on a warm summer's evening.

Every morning you can wake up to the delicious breakfast (included) laid out for you in the casa between 8.30- 10.00. Expect fresh bread and croissants, a selection of home made preserves, cheese, fruit, home made muesli, yogurt, orange juice and tea or coffee.

Pippa and Manfred also cook an amazing and varied three course dinner 3 nights a week. On the other evenings local and Moroccan influenced tapas are made with love and imagination. All meals are made using fresh, seasonal produce and vegetarian dishes can be provided on request. Light lunches can also be provided. The cost for evening meals is €25 per person, and €10 for lunch. Both can be ordered in the morning of the day you want them, when you will be able to see a menu of that evening's meal.

Coffee and tea are free and available all day. Alcoholic and other soft drinks are available on a trust basis, you will find a detailed price list at the camp.

There are no self catering facilities at Campo Del Moro although there are many other cafes, bars and restaurants nearby.

Cafe's and Restaurants

The 3 nearby swimming pools all have great cafes. Montanchez, a 40 minute walk away, has a lovely selection of bars and cafes on the plaza where the local jamon can be sampled. There are 3 restaurants open for lunch and one for dinner where you can eat in a walled garden under fragrant orange trees. They serve good grilled food and salads for lunch and dinner and also offer lifts back to the camp at a very small charge, walking back is also possible, and especially wonderful on moonlit nights.

Caceres, Trujillo and Merida are all within driving distance and have many wonderful restaurants and bars including the famous 2 Michellin star restaurant Atrio in Caceres.

The nearby villages take it in turns to host local markets where you will find seasonal and fresh vegetables and fruit, cured meats, cheese, wine and traditional specialties.

All about Campo Del Moro

Campo Del Moro is set within an extensive finca in the stunning Sierra de Montanchez in Extremadura. It is surrounded by beautiful, unspoilt oak woodland within a protected mountain area, and yet only 30 minutes from three world heritage towns, Merida, Caceres and Trujillo.

From the finca you can amble along ancient paths up into the mountains or to the Moorish town of Montanchez or the charming village of Arroyomolinos. All are beautiful walks with vast views and a chance to see how rural life is still very much alive in this part of Extremadura. The olive and fig groves are well tended, the roads are kept in good shape with water gullies and cobbles. You will more than likely come across donkey and horse traffic which is often the only way to reach most of the fincas in the area. There are bikes for hire if you want to explore further afield, maybe to the mysterious Visigoth temple of Santa Lucia set in a vast oak forest where the Iberic black pigs roam freely, eating the acorns which help to give such a distinctive flavour to the famous local jamon.

Besides lovingly restoring and running Campo Del Moro, Pippa and Manfred are enthusiastic travellers. Their last trip was to the Capo Verde islands off the coast of Senegal and they have been regular visitors to Morocco. You will find tasteful touches from their travels in all the tents at Campo Del Moro.

Pippa also tries to find time to paint. Her ambition for the future is to have a proper studio rather than lugging canvases and paints around the house. She is also busy with a writing project which was originally inspired by the Battle of Arroyomolinos, fought on the olive groves next to the finca in 1811. The whole project has now sprawled out of control to cover all sorts of weird and wonderful events and personages in Portugal, Spain and England during the Peninsula wars and the Regency period in England. Luckily she is enjoying the research so much that it doesn’t really matter if the project ever gets finished!

Environmental policy

At Campo Del Moro, the whole finca is run by a powerful solar energy installation and the water supply is from a deep bore hole which runs 100 meters through pure granite so the water is as pure as spring water. It is delicious to drink and extremely good for you. All the buildings at the finca are designed with good insulation against cold and heat.

Wildlife

Campo Del Moro is well known among wildlife photographers and film makers as it has an exciting and diverse plant and animal presence. There are 2 pairs of eagle owls nesting in the crags above the barn meadow, you will also find short toed eagles, bee eaters, azure winged magpies, hoopoe and hundreds of other species.