Welcome to Barrington Homes

November 4, 2014

Easyjet announce Bristol to Gibraltar flights starting April 2015

Filed under: Duquesa Information,News — Barrington Homes @ 9:34 pm

Great News for tourism, business and residents of both Spain and Gibraltar is that Easyjet announced today that flights from Bristol to Gibraltar will commence in April 2015 with up to 3 flights per week. The low cost carrier already offers a service from London Luton to Gibraltar and due to the success of this route they intend to make the South West and Capital more accessible to Gibraltars growing tourism and finance industries.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Commercial Manager, said: “We’re really pleased to be introducing Bristol’s only direct air link to Gibraltar Airport.

“With a year round service, affordable fares and flight time of just over two and a half hours, we’re confident that it will prove a popular service for both business and leisure travelers. We will have more than 19,000 seats available on the new service next summer alone.”

Shaun Browne, Bristol Airport’s Aviation Director, added: “Bristol Airport is delighted to play its part in extending the air links between the UK and Gibraltar. The city of Plymouth in the South West has a strong connection to Gibraltar through its rich naval and marine industry history, and more recently the financial services sector plays an important role in both our economies. This new flight will provide easy access and improve connections for both business and leisure passengers.

The flights will go on sale at www.easyjet.com this Thursday, 6 November. Puerto de la Duquesas tourism and property business are sure to benefit from the increasing number of flights to Gibraltar. Accessibility and journey times from the South West of England will be dramatically improved making Puerto Duquesa as a holiday destination even more appealing. Barrington Holidays property owners are already enjoying an increase in bookings for 2015. The strong Pound, improvements in the economy and improved accessibility to Puerto Duquesa is sure to make 2015 a great year for tourism. Barrington Homes look forward to welcoming new and existing clients back to Puerto de la Duquesa in 2015.

May 28, 2014

Duquesa Beach improved ready for a busy summer season

Filed under: Nature,News — Barrington Homes @ 9:11 pm

Work has commenced to improve the Las Gaviotas Beach, the popular beach just West of Puerto de la Duquesa marina infront of Urb. Marina del Castillo and up to El Castillo village. 4500m3 of imported sand is being distributed to help regenerate this beautiful stretch of the Manilva coastline.

2playa_duquesa

The project is being undertaken between the 28th May and the 3rd June and will leave the beach in a perfect condition for residents and tourists to enjoy. The project is being undertaken at no cost to the Manilva townhall as it is a directive of the ‘El Consistorio y Marinas del Mediterráneo’ to improve the already fantastic Blue Flag beach.

new pics 085

May 22, 2014

New Footbridge connecting the Casares Costa and Sabinillas promenades

Filed under: News — Tags: , , — Barrington Homes @ 1:16 pm

Antonia Muñoz, the Mayoress of Manilva signed an agreement for work to commence connecting the promenades of Marina de Casares and Sabinillas. The 2 meter wide footbridge will span the 41 meters over the mouth of the Rio Manilva. The project costing 131,183Euros has commenced on the 19th May 2014 and i expected to be completed within 3 months.

Sabinillas Promenade

Sabinillas Promenade

The project is long awaited and will make a huge impact to all residents in Sabinillas and Casares Costa allowing easy pedestrian access between the 2 popular areas. The project is one of many completed and approved projects to improve and connect areas the beachfront promenade along the 7.8km of Manilva coastline.

Rio de Manilva

Rio de Manilva

January 24, 2014

Spain growing in tourism popularity

Filed under: News,Property — Barrington Homes @ 3:09 pm

The tourism statistics for 2013 have been released and they confirm that Spain and Andalucia especially have grown in tourism popularity in 2013. The percentage of tourists in 2013 was over 60 million, an increase of 5.6% which was higher than the global average of 5%. Britain remained Spain’s most important market, accounting for 23.6% of total visitors, followed by Germany with 16.2%, and France with 15.7%. An independent survey showed increasing numbers of overseas visitors opting out of package holidays. Some 42.4 million, or 69.9% of total visitors, decided to make their own arrangements either in self catering accommodation or private hotels, an increase of 6.8% over 2012. A staggering 21 million of the total visitors which is approximately 1 in 3 people chose to visit Andalucia for an average holiday of 12 days. More good news is that the average spend per day in Andalucia was 52€ compared to 68€ in the rest of Spain confirming that Andalucia is still providing great value holidays.

All very positive news and very promising for the future of Barrington Homes and Barrington Holidays clients. The increase in the number of visitors to Duquesa and more importantly those choosing to stay in self catering accommodation means that any current Barrington Holiday property owners will enjoy a great rental return on their holiday property and all new clients looking for a buy to let investment property in Duquesa can look forward to potentially ever increasing rental opportunities for their property. If you are looking to buy a property in Duquesa take a look at our current top 5 buy to let investment properties;

Manilva Gardens 2 bed, 2 bath 200m from the beach – 85,000€

Residencial Duquesa, 2 bed, 2 bath, 500m from the beach – from 95,800€

Duquesa Suites, 2 bed, 2 bath, incredible onsite facilities – 115,000€

Monte Duquesa, 2 bed, 2 bath, walking distance to amenities – 129,000€

Marina de la Duquesa, 2 bed, 2 bath. South facing next to Puerto Duquesa Marina – 190,000€

August 19, 2013

Spanish Property Insight August 13 2013

Filed under: News,Property — Tags: , — Lucy @ 8:19 am

I have just read Mark Stücklins excellent article “Too many homes in the wrong place, too much red tape” (http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com/2013/08/13/too-many-homes-in-the-wrong-place-too-much-red-tape/) which sums up what has happened and what is happening in the Spanish Property market.  He says that Spain’s real estate problem “is not so much a glut as too many homes in the wrong place” and “not enough for sale where people want them”.

If you had watched the recent Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May,  drive the McLaren Mp4-12c Spider, Ferrari 458 Spider and Audi R8 Spyder from Gibraltar through Spain, you would have seen evidence of some of “the glut”.  Large developments on the outskirts of Spanish cities or large towns that are like “ghost towns” and which you cant imagine anyone ever wanting to live there.

These developments were bought by greedy developers and financed by thoughtless banks happy to lend to anyone without considering the consequences.  If they had been made to build better quality and well designed properties in the better locations then the country’s overall situation would be much healthier.

To support Mark Stücklin’s statement that “there are not enough for sale where people want them”, we have witnessed a surge in activity of people wanting to buy property in the La Duquesa, Manilva, Sabinillas and Casares areas.  The problem we are facing is that we are running out of properties to sell.  The only reason why some of the properties we have listed are not selling is simply because the vendors cannot lower the selling price down to the current market values.

The area Barrington Homes covers is only a 20 minute drive from Marbella, the area Mark mentions that will sell. Because our area is not as well known as Marbella many people start their property search in the Marbella Municipality and end up buying in the Manilva or Casares Municipalities as they discover and fall in love with the place and can buy a property at a fraction of the price.

Barrington Homes have a large number of clients coming to look at property with a view to buy over the next couple of months.  If you are considering selling your property please contact Damian or Claire on +34 952936216 .

If you are thinking of buying a property in Spain and would like to know more about our wonderful area, please email me at lucy@barringtonhomes.eu and I will send you the guide I have written about this beautiful area.

August 11, 2013

Sotogrande celebrates its 50th anniversary

Filed under: Local Events & Culture,News — Tags: , , , , — Lucy @ 11:59 am

Last week numerous spanish celebrities flocked to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Andalucia’s most up-market urbanization – Sotogrande.  The event was held at Sotogrande’s exclusive beach club “El Cucuracho” which is situated at the foot of the Mediterranean sea with views of Gibraltar and El Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande.

El Puerto Deportivo Sotogrande

Over the last 50 years Sotogrande has developed into an extremely popular up-market residential development with facilities to cater for the rich and famous and even royalty.  It has a port, canal system giving access to apartments so that you can harbour your boat outside your apartment, beach clubs, top class hotels, golf clubs (including Europes no. 1 golf course Valderrama) and tennis clubs and polo clubs.

Sotogrande is located in the municipality of San Roque in Cadiz province and is Manilva’s neighbour.  From the borders of Manilva municipality there are wonderful views over Sotogrande to Gibraltar.

From Manilva border to Sotogrande and Gibraltar

If you are staying in the Manilva area, Sotogrande is well worth a visit to have lunch in the marina and to take a look at the beautiful large villas on the palm tree lined streets.  In August it is polo season and the matches are an exciting spectacle to watch.  Entry is normally free except for the grand final.  I will post dates in the next blog.

For more information on Sotogrande visit http://www.sotogrande.es/ and if you are interested in buying a property there contact info@barringtonhomes.eu and one of our agents will help you find the perfect property.

February 8, 2013

Manilva Town Hall to pay for repair of collapsed road by Duquesa Golf Club

Filed under: Duquesa Information,Lifestyle,News — Lucy @ 8:10 pm

I went to a meeting at Manilva Town Hall today to find out what was happening with regards to repairing the road which has collapsed at the bottom of the hill by the Spa at La Duquesa Golf and Countryclub.

Firstly I was amazed at what goes on behind the scenes in Manilva.  From the outside Manilva appears to be a sleepy white village with not much going on during the day.  But once you enter the multi storey car park behind the police station you realise there is a hive of activity going on behind the scenes as the car park was packed full of cars and smartly dressed professionals were coming and going.  It took me back to the days when I used to work in England.

Sunny Manilva one Autumn Morning

Present at the meeting were Diego Urieta – Councillor for Town Planning and Foreign Residents,  Mario Jimenez – Councillor for Infrastructure and Building Works,  Valentina Radu – Co-ordinator for Town Planning and Foreign Residents,  Dean Sheldon – Co-ordinator for Urbanizations, Communities and Commerce and some presidents of the communities affected by damaged road.

Manilva Town Hall Meeting

They advised us that they had been working hard to find a solution to getting the road mended.  The difficulty is that the road that collapsed is adjacent to a river which is the responsibility of the regional governments environments department.  And as the road actually collapsed a few days after that department had carried out comprehensive cleaning of the river, it is likely that this department is liable for the cost of the repair.

Manilva Town Hall have tried to get them to pay for the repair works and although the regional government havent refused to pay ,they have said that Manilva would have to wait for the money.  Manilva Town Hall realise that this repair work is very urgent and so have decided to reallocate some funds from elsewhere to pay for it and then will reclaim it back.

Ironically as access to the river is needed to make the repair works, Manilva Town Hall are awaiting written permission from the regional government environment department before they can proceed.   If they didn’t they could be subject to a fine which could be more than the cost of the works!

The good news is that this written permission is all they are waiting for  which they hope to receive next week.  Once received, the works will commence and hopefully be completed within a month.

The other good news for residents of property that are situated around La Duquesa Golf Course is that Manilva Town Hall have agreed to put up a street sign “Calle Cornisa del Sol” to help people who live here give directions to those who dont!

Are there any issues in the Manilva area that you are concerned about and would like answers to?  Please either leave your comments below or email me at lucy@barringtonhomes.eu

November 9, 2012

Things to do when its raining

Filed under: Lifestyle,News — Lucy @ 3:03 pm

Things to do when its raining.

Manilva hit the news today as having had the most rainfall in Spain last night

It doesn’t rain very much in Manilva but when it does you certainly know about!

Its a bit of an inconvenience in that you can’t do the things that you are used to doing in the good weather,  your washing takes ages to dry and the kids go a bit stir crazy inside – but there are benefits.

Apart from the obvious benefits in that our reservoirs need filling up and our crops need watering, it makes us change our plans and think of other things to do that we don’t normally do because we are outside enjoying the good weather.

For example on Sunday we went out for a lovely Sunday lunch at The Clubhouse in Los Hidalgos and enjoyed a lovely meal ( try their vegetable soup it is delicious).  While waiting for the food to come we taught our two children how to play the card game Rummy.  They learnt quickly and we all enjoyed playing the game and interacting with each other rather than seeing them lost in their world of Nintendo DSi’s and iPods!

We were able to do that because our kids are old enough to play cards now but a few years ago it was a different story and what we really needed when it rained was an indoor play park for them to run off their energy.  There weren’t many about when my kids were really little but thankfully a few have opened up in recent years within a 20 minute drive of Manilva.

I have decided to compile a Top Twenty of things to do when it rains in Manilva but l need your help so please can you email me at Lucy@barringtonhomes.eu with your suggestions or add a comment at the bottom of this blog.

Off the top of my head the things that we would do and the places that we would go when it rains in Spain are as follows: (in no particular order):

  • Go shopping to Palmones in Los Barrios -Bahia Azul in Algeciras or  La Canada or Puerto Banus in Marbella
  • Watch a movie – any suggestions for family films associated with Spain?
  • Go to the cinema – we are lucky that we have Gibraltar only 30 minutes away which shows the latest cinema releases in English.  There are also cinemas at Guadacorte (Los Barrios),  Puerto Banus and La Canada in Marbella but you need to go to the VO (versión original) or VOS (versión original subtitulada) screenings which  show English language films with Spanish subtitles. .
  • Do the housework or declutter!
  • Go Ice – skating in Gibraltar
  • Go to indoor play park  – AgroJardin in San Roque has a great indoor play area for kids.  There is also Kidz Kingdom and Blue Planet in Estepona.
  • Do some arts and crafts
  • Play Chess, cards, Monopoly or other board games or have a family game on the Wii
  • Learn to play Basketball or handball as they are generally played indoors
  • Go for a walk on the promenade and watch the waves and get wet!
  • Teach your kids or yourself to cook/ bake
  • Read a book – can anyone recommend some good books with a Spanish link to it?  I will compile a list of good ones to read.
  • Learn Spanish – yes you really should try as it makes living and visiting here so much more rewarding.
  • Go to a museum – what museums are near here?
  • Take kids swimming at Estepona indoor swimming pool
  • Go chocolate making in Mijas
  • Go to a spa and get pampered
  • Go to the Butterfly park in Benalmadena
  • Go to the Sealife centre in Benalmadena
  • Look on www.yougodo.com for things to do

Any other ideas would be gratefully received 🙂  Please email them to me at lucy@barringtonhomes.eu or leave a comment at the end of this blog.

December 13, 2011

Spain, best place to buy property 2012

Filed under: News,Property — Barrington Homes @ 1:05 pm

A Place in the Sun magazine have previewed an article in their February 2012 issue of the magazine in which they announce Spain as the best place to buy property in 2012!!

The list has been put together based on the findings from research undertaken at both A Place in the Sun Live shows and the A Place in the Sun magazine reader survey.

If you are considering investing in the Spanish property market, look no further than Barrington Homes. We have a fantastic selection of properties in the Duquesa area and at unbelievable prices; we also work closely with agents all along the Costa del Sol and will happily help you in your search. We are happy to advise you with regards to mortgages and can recommend an english speaking Lawyer to guide you through the buying process.

To book a property viewing trip click here.

December 2, 2011

Cirque du Soleil in Malaga

Filed under: News — Barrington Homes @ 9:00 am

It is circus time in Malaga when the performers and musicians of Cirque du Soleil put on their “Alegria” show.

Beginning on the 1st December and here until Sunday 4th December the 55 international world famous entertainers will wow the visitors to their show with a spectacular display of acrobatics and music. Ten million people world wide have already seen the extravaganza that includes high energy aerialists 40 feet above the stage and fantastic display of synchronised tumbling. Tickets are priced between €25 and €65 and the show can be seen in Malaga City’s Palacio Deportes Martin Carpena. Go to their web-site to book your tickets

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