Around Anceu

Anceu is a village of about sixty people in Ponte Caldelas, inland from Pontevedra. That is the whole appeal and, for some people, the whole problem — so it is worth being precise about what is actually around you.

Mossy stone walls of a ruined watermill in the oak woods near Anceu One of the old watermills on the walk that starts at the edge of the village.

Walks from the door

Trails start at the edge of the village. Some are half an hour through chestnut and oak; some take most of a morning and end at a river pool worth the walk. You do not need a car for any of them, and you do not need to plan — people tend to head out after work and be back for dinner.

The river

There are swimming spots within walking distance, and they are cold in the best way. In summer the river is where the house ends up on the hot afternoons.

Working outdoors

For a good part of the year you can work outside. There are shaded tables, the wifi reaches the garden, and there is a particular pleasure in taking a call from under a tree while the person on the other end sits in an office.

How far is everything

  • Vigo: under an hour, and the nearest airport.
  • Santiago de Compostela: about an hour, and the bigger airport.
  • The Atlantic beaches: thirty minutes to the nearest, at Redondela, and the Cíes islands are a boat ride from Vigo in summer.

You can live here without a car — people do — but a car makes the coast and the mountains casual rather than an expedition. Colivers share lifts constantly.

Keeping those paths open is work, and we look for someone to help with it. If that sounds like your kind of month, read about the trail maintenance and wayfinding steward.

Getting here

Bus and train reach Pontevedra, and we will pick you up from Ponte Caldelas. If you drive, there is space at the house.

Tell us when you are thinking of coming and we will sort the details.