If you are looking for Bed and Breakfast in Murcia then Hospederia Molino Charrara is the place. Located at the head of the Rambla Benito in the Campo de Ricote this 19th century *Bucket Mill* offers a rustic and friendly place to stay with English, German and Spanish speaking staff. Playing an important role in war time and through the black market helping to feed the local people, the house has been completely rebuilt respecting the original building elements using furniture and rustic decor and now under new management offers a family atmosphere in total harmony with the environment of rural milling.
Although some of the tourist books for the area state that Molino Charrara produced olive oil, this is incorrect. It is in fact an antique flour mill and as such most of it is listed and cannot be altered. Because of this we were a little worried about our inspection by the authority for our Hospederia upgrade as a couple of the rooms and bathrooms are a little smaller than would otherwise be allowed in modern hotels. We need not have worried, in an historic building such as this it doesn’t matter and we can bypass some requirements. So we do apologise in advance if you bang your elbows in the shower or are unable to jump off the top of the wardrobe onto the bed without banging your head on the wall. You are staying in a living museum and can enjoy the peace and tranquility of your countryside surroundings in a place where generations of people have struggled to work throughout history. The Moors first built a mill on this site around 1000 years ago and they didn’t have wardrobes or beds, so count yourselves lucky. You have a private bathroom too but please consider the environment as we are not on mains sewage, anything you throw down the toilet other than toilet paper can block the septic tank causing it to overflow across the lower patio where you will be eating, into the water supply for the olive growers further down the Rambla who will not be too happy if they try to have a drink or a wash.
We also apologise that disabled access is very limited but again due to regulations and our cliff side situation this is beyond our control. We have provided ramps where ever we can but these are a little steep in places.
We have been inspected, we passed, we are fully insured and we are 100% legal to offer you accommodation, food and drinks in this beautiful area.
The Region of Murcia enjoys a Mediterranean climate of a semi arid type with mild winters and warm summers. The Ricote Valley is one of the most beautiful and little-known areas of the fertile plains of the great river Segura which runs through the heart of Murcia. Here you can soak up the remnants of Islamic culture, for the Ricote Valley was the last bastion of the Moors in south-eastern Spain where the Mudejares remained until 1614. For those of you who want a different holiday in Spain and a break from the beach this area offers many different ways to enjoy rural Spain but with beaches just an hour away you can still enjoy a holiday with a difference.
*Bucket Mill* – A mill where the water wheel is driven by water falling into buckets rather than flowing against paddles.
