Quinta do Jardim Secreto

08/03/2026

Very slowly, we are getting tasks done after the storms. The sunshine is helping us tidy up and finish some of the works. Even a few blossoms! Our guest spaces are both fully functional and we dare to look forward to spring coming soon...

30/01/2026

Following the storms, we are grateful our guest spaces are dry and warm, even though the garden will need lots of love 💕

28/01/2026

A terrible night with the storms, but we are still here.

Last night's extreme winds have caused untold damage at QJS... roof tiles blown off, our shed uprooted and squashed flat... perhaps the most painful, almost all the most mature trees on site are gone.

Mr QJS is on the roof making good the vulnerable areas. We had to cut our way out of the front door; our glorious wisteria is decimated.

We will take some time to lick our wounds and regroup. Thankfully, we and our current guests are all OK. We offered help to neighbours snd received news in return. We're down but not out.

Hope you're all OK. Warm wishes.

Onwards!

19/01/2026

Things don't always work out as planned, so sometimes you have to remind yourself how far you've come!

We've not been able to post an update on the roof of the tiny cob shelter, sadly, because the rubber for the green roof arrived just too late to fit it before the rains started.

So we've been taking some time to appreciate all the (hard) work we've done and how much our project has developed. For example, this former woodshed which is now the Figueira Eco Annexe.

Hope you enjoy this before and after shot; it's helped us find some perspective and appreciation, when things are not going to plan.

We're booking into June/July apart from a couple of weeks in February, so if you're dreaming of a stay here and to learn from our experiences/mistakes, do get in touch!

www.quintadojardimsecreto.com

29/12/2025

Now booking into May 2026 and onwards... so if you're dreaming of a soft landing here, do get in touch!

Thank you to all the lovely souls who stayed in 2025 and looking forward to hosting you in 2026!

www.quintadojardimsecreto.com

26/11/2025

Your perfect cosy lounge for the winter? Imagine the fire roaring whilst you hum festive tunes and bake seasonal goodies!

Our 1 bedroom Eco Annexe near Miranda do Corvo will be available from 20 December for stays of 1 to 3 months.
Sleeps 4 (1 double, bunks)

Explore the area near Coimbra, connect with local alternative projects for lifestyle and education.

Rent 500 pcm or hybrid rent and volunteering possible. Offroad parking for vehicles up to 6m available.

Contact us for a chat about the possibilities ✨️

www.quintadojardimsecreto.com
Quinta do Jardim Secreto

10/11/2025

Offering 1 bedroom tiny house for rent
Figuera Eco Annexe, sleeps 2 + 2 children
Compost loo
Miranda do Corvo, Coimbra district

Rent 570 per month via Airbnb, 500 direct booking, or possibility to reduce rent with part work exchange
Includes gas, water, electricity and fibre broadband

Perfect for families exploring Central region, parking available for vehicles up to 6m long.

Connect with local alternative educators, community networks, help restore our garden and see if this is the life for you.

www.quintadojardimsecreto.com
Quinta do Jardim Secreto

06/11/2025

Surviving or thriving?

Our hearts are telling us there must be a better way than traditional renting or volunteering. Something that provides mutual benefits and gets us back to our trading and bartering roots.

We are inviting individuals, couples or small families who are ready to explore alternative means of exchange. Our idea is paying a reduced monthly rent contribution, whilst also offering a morning per week for a shared project, such as rediscovering veggie beds, destroyed by wild boar last season, or cobbing our ‘hobbity’ garden shelter with mud.

If you would like to feel part of a real-life project, whilst gaining first-hand experience in permaculture-inspired gardening and natural building for your future in Portugal, this could be the place for you. No expensive courses or additional outlay - you will have access to our extensive local knowledge, experience, and our network to help you plan your next steps, as well as hands-on experience. It’s a safe, supported landing space to see if this lifestyle is for you.

We have two, private, 1-bed tiny houses available in our 1 acre of land, at the edge of a village with a shop, café, greengrocer, and baker. We have free, off-road parking for vans up to around 6m long, so it might be a perfect winter-friendly option for van-lifers or campers, too; contact us to explore the options. The spaces are:
- Mini Apartment sleeps 1 or 2
- Eco Annexe sleeps 2 to 4

Our spaces usually rent for 21 per night on AirBnb (with fees and discount, currently 570 per month). We are proposing rent 430 per month, inclusive of gas, water, electricity, wifi and our practical knowledge and support to find your feet, make connections and learn the skills you need for your own future projects. We envisage an initial agreement of 1 to 3 months, which could be extended by mutual consent.

If you're ready to stop surviving and start thriving, so are we. Let's explore how we can help each other.

Photo of the reciprocal roof of our cob shelter in construction - it worked! :-)

04/11/2025

Life's always unpredictable, but sometimes all the challenges seem to come at once! In the last couple of weeks at QJS, we've been dealing with improving water drainage (again), winter prep, leaking appliances and electrical upgrades.

We've had some good family chats about resilience. It's one of the things people don't often talk about; changing your life and taking on a project like this can be hard and you need good friends and community connections to make it all work. We are so grateful for ours!

Then a bolt out of the blue, our dear cat Tinkerbell who is a part of our support system an loves making friends with our visitors, was apparently bitten on the tail by a neighbourhood cat yesterday. The poor love came in scared and bleeding. All thoughts of needful jobs were banished and we rushed her to a local vet, who made her better. She's doing great and we expect a full recovery. We are reminded of the things that really matter.

Here's a photo of her without her shaved poodle-style tail, for you to enjoy! Good wishes appreciated!

Today we are back on task getting things sorted. Onwards!

27/10/2025

Rosa Mini Apartment
Vacancies from 3rd week of November

Perfect for those seeking a quiet spot to spend the winter in Central Portugal, without the need to sign lengthy utilities contracts. We are in a village 4km from the nearest town. There is a great cafe, shop, bakery and greengrocer within walking distance.

1 bedroom, sleeps 2
Kitchenette, shower room with WC and private entrance
500 pcm, or 21 per night inclusive (except firewood, welcome basket only)
Minimum stay 2 weeks.

'Warm welcome' basket of local produce for all bookings during winter 😊

25/10/2025

Another great thing about staying in Lamas: our Mini Mercado, Todas Dias! Not so called because it opens every day (closed Sunday) but rather for the lovely family who run it, Natalie Dias and family opened it just over 1 year ago.

It stocks all the everyday essentials- treats, too- not to mention it's another place to stock up on local tips and knowledge!

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.