THE GROVE NARBERTH: A SUSTAINABLE LUXURY HOTEL

The Grove of Narberth is a privately owned luxury hotel located in the countryside of Pembrokeshire with panoramic views of the Preseli Hills and is set in 26 acres of grounds that include woodland, meadows, lawns, a walled and kitchen garden. Part of Small Luxury Hotels of The World Group, the Grove is in an intimate setting to relax, unwind, enjoy fabulous cuisine and the ideal base to explore the surrounding coastal villages and towns.

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The Grove Narberth: A Review

Everything about the Grove is understated luxury, from the moment you drive up the winding country roads and arrive at the gates and grounds, where you’ll be greeted by the friendly smiles of the staff to a warm and memorable experience throughout. A home away from home, the Grove transports you to a tranquil place where time stands still, and your entire stay is taken care of effortlessly.

The House

The three-storey house is steeped in history dating back to the 15^th century, with Georgian aspects and unique arts and crafts panelling and fireplaces.

The interiors especially in the inviting lounges, have been carefully created and sourced, with many Welsh references such as love spoons hanging on the wall, Welsh rugs, cotton bobbins under glass tables.

The Bar area features a slate-sided bar, black and white photos of the local area of Pembrokeshire and Welsh coal under a glass topped table.

The Rooms

The hotel consists of 26 bedrooms with 14 of the rooms and suites being in the main house, which consist of period features and are all individually designed and named. We stayed in Pipit, which has a timeless elegance decorated in soft blue tones with cream French furniture and an antique fireplace.

The Main House

A super king room with small armchairs in the window overlooking a lawned roof and meadow with a panelled bathroom with a luxurious roll top bath to soak in with meadow views.

Toiletries are by the Good Wash Company, an ethical and sustainable Welsh brand, based on old age remedies.

Fluffy bath robes, towels, a selection of teas, coffees and hot chocolate and an in-hours made bar in the tea tray add the special touch. Also, for special occasions, expect a bottle of chilled Prosecco on arrival to kick off your stay.

The remainder of the rooms are appointed in one of the three cottages…

Herb Cottage

In the grounds and a short walk from the main house, herb cottage comes with six suites, four of which have south facing private gardens and are all named after herbs.

Poyer’s Cottage

Built in the 16^th Century, Poyer’s Cottage is set just to the side of the main house. Offering two character suites with original features enjoying the benefit of small terraces overlooking the rear gardens

Bailiff’s Cottage

Set just apart from the main house is the original building on the Grove. Built as a traditional longhouse it was owned by the Bailiff of Tenby in the 15th Century. The cottage now contains four characterful rooms, with small private garden terraces overlooking the rear garden.

Food & Drink

Under the experience of executive Chef Douglas Balish, The Grove offers some of the best cuisine in Pembrokeshire, with a big focus on Welsh ingredients and vegetables and herbs where possible picked from the hotels herb garden. Read more about the food and drink in Vegetarian Dining Options at The Grove

Breakfast

Served in the garden terrace and artisan rooms flooded with morning light, this is a wonderful meal at the hotel consisting of starters including teas, coffees, juices, a selection of starters such as fruit salads, Welsh yoghurt with granola and honey from the resident honeybees. Second course involves a traditional cooked breakfast, pancakes and much more. The Grove breakfast is truly one of champions and is all cooked fresh to order.

Cocktail Bar & Lounge

The cocktail bar and four lounges are perfect places to sit and relax with a drink pre or post dinner or during the day. Decorated with plenty of cosy soft furnishings it is the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring. If you book a table at The Fernery, you will be invited to the bar half an hour before your dinner to enjoy canapés and a drink.

The Artisan Rooms

The Artisan Rooms offers a relaxed dining experience overlooking the beautiful garden terrace. The menu has been inspired by the best of Welsh ingredients, grazing boards of the Welsh charcuterie and artisan cheese, grilled Welsh lamb and beef, and locally landed fish. This is food simply prepared and served in a relaxed dining atmosphere.

The Fernery

The Fernery, decorated with pressed ferns on the walls, crisp linens and beautiful fern centre-pieces is a fine dining, dinner only affair, consisting of tasting menus (including pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan) including five, seven or ten courses with wine flights. The Fernery has received the prestigious three AA rosettes since 2014 and it’s a must try if staying at the hotel, it is truly exquisite.

At the Grove, you can also enjoy delicious afternoon teas on the terrace as well as hampers or walkers picnics and private dining experiences.

Related Article: Vegetarian Friendly-Dining at The Grove Narberth

The Grove Gardens

These offer stunning visuals throughout the year framed by the ancient oaks and towering beeches. The gardens are spread over four acres of the 26 acre estate, which is beautifully located on a hillside overlooking rolling Pembrokeshire countryside, with the market town of Narberth and the Preseli Hills to the north.

The Walled Garden

The 17^th century walled garden offers a perfect place for guests to relax, read or enjoy a picnic. The walled garden is planted with culinary herbs and vegetables surrounded by cut flowers, and criss-crossed with grass paths to create a formal space to explore.  The chef and sommelier teams often collect a huge variety of ingredients throughout the day for the restaurant and bar.

Kitchen Garden

The Grove kitchen garden sits in the same location as a ‘lost’ garden that pre-dates the existing Jacobean walled garden. The modern kitchen garden spread over one acre and is restoring the ground to its previous use during the 17th century.

The kitchen garden allows the chefs to prepare and serve delicious produce within hours of picking with over 70 varieties of vegetables, herbs and summer fruits being grown for the restaurant throughout the year.

The chefs also forage hedgerows for wild garlic, nettle, elderflower, watercress, wood sorrel, pennywort, wild blackberries and strawberries.

The gardening team manage the garden organically, using composting during the winter months when much the vegetable garden is allowed to rest, which they feel is the only way to grow vegetables.

Sustainability

The Grove’s sustainability efforts are pretty impressive, as reflected by their membership of Green Tourism UK having been awarded a Gold Tourism Award in 2017. Present and future plans include;

Food & Drink

Traceability of ingredients is important at The Grove and great care is taken to ensure they come from sustainable sources. Whenever possible local food is used and sourced from within a 50 mile radius of the hotel.

As mentioned previously the kitchen garden plays a big part in supplying herbs and vegetables but also there are four beehives at the periphery of the grounds beyond the lake, allowing the Grove to become self sufficient for honey.  

The Woodland Project

Over 5000 trees were planted using local species like sessile oak, ash, birch, willow, alder, holly and hazel in order to restore some areas around the hotel to native woodland and meadow. In the future this will serve as beautiful areas for local flora and fauna to thrive.

Energy Saving

Energy saving light bulbs are used across the hotel and they have also installed solar panels to supply electricity to both the main house and cottages. Additionally, most of the heating and hot water across the Grove is supplied by a 199kW Biomass Boiler. A large number of trees have been planted which provide a sustainable source of wood during the winter months.

Spring Water

The Grove has it’s own boreholes, which supply the entire premises with spring water. This water, which is filtered and UV treated, is freely available from the taps, it is bottled in reusable glass bottles so guests can enjoy it with meals and in their rooms.

Recycling & Composting

All glass, plastic and cardboard is recycled with some cardboard being used for composting. All garden and vegetable waste is composted and used in the winter as a fertiliser to refresh the soil.

Water Treatment

The Grove has a water treatment plant and reed beds enable foul water to be treated before it enters the environment.

Wildlife

To increase biodiversity, the hotel has created a pond, hung bird boxes and planted wild meadows and trees. The hedgerows help ring fence the habitation of birds, butterflies, which can be seen throughout the meadows and surrounding environment.

Electric Charging

Guests can charge their cars during their stay in the car park, which accommodates Tesla and universal charging points.

Toiletries

The Goodwash Company is an award winning, ethical wash and lifestyle brand, created in Wales on a mission to change the world #onewashatatime. Each of their good skincare products are based on age old remedies for skin hair and fur. All products are natural, cruelty free and vegan accredited. The social enterprise ‘do good’ at every stage of their supply chain and also use their profits for good. Goodwash employ and work with local communities to make a sustainable difference and improve the lives of people and animals.

Spa

For all you Spa lovers, currently the hotel doesn’t have a dedicated spa but there are future plans in place for one. Worry not as you can have a whole menu of in-room treatments in the privacy of your room or suite.

The Grove at Narberth is perfect for a romantic couple’s weekend, special occasions, family getaway and accommodate the little people in your life.

A Relaxing Getaway

Narberth, is one of Pembrokeshire’s prettiest towns, with cafés, boutiques, a castle and foodie shops, is two miles away. The coast is a 15-20 minute drive away and the perfect location to visit the surrounding coastal towns and villages. You can also do the many walks around the hotel, which are recommended by the hotel and maps are provided.

Truly a gem of a hotel, the Grove is one for your list, imagine waking up to the sound of woodpeckers, bird song and the flutter of dragon flies coming off the pond and meadows. The friendly attentive staff, the surroundings, the delicious food and the understated luxury feel at The Grove make it an absolute gem of a hotel with a home away from home touch.

• Address: The Grove, Molleston, Narberth SA67 8BX
• Website: The Grove Narberth
• Telephone No: : 01834 860915

Shhhh be careful not to disturb the fairies on your wanderings. and and one last gift from The Grove in the form of mini Welsh cakes for the road!

Related Pembrokeshire Reading

• Sustainable Wine Tasting at Cwm Deri Vineyard, Pembrokeshire
• Vegetarian-friendly dining at The Grove of Narberth

• A Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Pembrokeshire

Resources to Plan Your Pembrokeshire Visit

À bientôt

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