The UK’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, has been a regular though little known about visitor to the Serranía de Ronda for several years, and this month holidayed at an exclusive hotel near Gaucin, but this time with full security as befitting a head of state.
Cameron and his wife Samantha who are keen walkers apparently love the district for its pristine nature and sometimes challenging walks over local mountains, and tracks in the Genal Valley and Guardiaro Valley are believed to be personal favorites of the couple, though with the couple expecting their first child a statement from Downing Street said it was unlikely they would do too much.
Arriving in Spain, the Prime Minister met Spain’s Premier José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and was quoted as saying that as PM his security entourage would make it difficult to enjoy walking in the Ronda campo, a situation he regretted.
Even though Cameron’s regular trips to the area were largely anonymous, he and his wife are known to have good friends who live at Gaucin, and the Prime Minister has been spotted in Jimera de Libar’s “Bar Allioli” owned by Paul Darwent. At the time Cameron was leader of the opposition and had walked Mr Henderson’s route from the station at Benaojan to the station at Jimera.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!