Grove of Narberth

Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
Book from GBP Book from £234 per night

Grove of Narberth

Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom

A gorgeous country-house hotel and estate, close to Tenby, set among rolling hills and a stunning coastline

A gorgeous country-house hotel and estate, close to Tenby, set among rolling hills and a stunning coastline

Entering the Grove of Narberth is like stepping into a timeless refuge, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. This achingly handsome Georgian manor house gazes out across 26 acres of picturesque meadows and woods, towards the rugged Preseli hills beyond. The pretty seaside town of Tenby is just a 20-minute drive away, gateway to the stunning Pembrokeshire coast.

Owners Neil and Zoe worked hard to transform this once-derelict property into Pembrokeshire's smartest country-house hotel. They preserved the building's elegant facade and grand original features, then added modern interiors with a warm colour palette and Welsh-inspired decor. Local heritage is embraced at every turn; the bar is a masterpiece of Welsh steel and Pembrokeshire purple slate, and the bedrooms glow with upcycled antique mining lamps. Accommodation options vary from stylish contemporary rooms in the main building to charming cottages scattered throughout the grounds. Candles and crackling fires light up the cosy lounges at night, and the food at the two restaurants is sublime. We sipped Champagne and looked out at panoramic countryside views, feeling totally enchanted by our surroundings.

Highs

  • Beautiful period house meticulously restored and extended with good proportions and lovely views
  • Classy, comfortable bedrooms: not over-designed or chintzified
  • Not far from award-winning sandy beaches
  • Outstanding food: the fine dining restaurant has won 4 AA Rosettes
  • Beautiful gardens including a 17th-century walled garden and a kitchen garden

Lows

  • The Fernery restaurant is closed Sun-Tue, but the Artisan Rooms restaurant is open for dinner daily
  • No minibars in the original rooms, but the 6 new suites have well-stocked complimentary minibars

Best time to go

Any time of year. In spring, the driveway is a dazzle of bluebells and daffodils. Summer is best for trips to the beach, though be aware that Tenby gets very busy in school summer holidays. Autumn and winter are lovely for quiet cosy evenings beside the roaring fires.

Our top tips

Make sure you pop into Narberth. This small market town has a great cafe culture, an assortment of boutique shops, and a very tasty deli called Ultracomida, which fuses Spanish, French and Welsh influences; their cheese selection is fabulous.

Great for...

Family
Great Outdoors
Romantic
  • Boutique Hotel
  • 25 rooms
  • Restaurants and bar
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car recommended
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Croquet
  • Boules
  • Electric car charger
Room:

Rooms

You can stay in the Main House or one of the converted outbuildings - either Poyer’s Cottage, the Longhouse or the Herb Cottages. There's a variety of room types in each building. All rooms have different designs but expect calm discreet colours, soft Welsh carpets underfoot, comfortable mattresses and crisp 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Furniture is traditional but feature wallpapers, Asian art and silk fabrics add boutique style. Bathrooms gleam with polished tiles and come with waffle bathrobes, thick towels and fancy toiletries. All rooms have kettles with coffee, a selection of teas and house-made biscotti. The Suites also come with complimentary minibars.

Within the Main House, the Seddon Deluxe's grand four-poster bed, covetable big bath and far-reaching Preseli Hill views make it a favourite. The pale green Partridge Room (Deluxe) is slightly larger though cosily tucked away at the top of the house. The Classic Rooms are smaller and more affordable but just as comfortable.

If you want more space, opt for one of the suites. We stayed in a Herb Cottage Suite called Sorrel, whose open floor plan seamlessly connected the bedroom to the luxurious bathroom, complete with a rainfall shower and deep cast iron bath. White French doors lead to a south-facing private garden and terrace. We loved the vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, subtle lighting and charming decor pieces - like old field rakes, garden tools, Welsh miner's lamps and local landscape paintings. The comfy sofas and a wood-burning fireplace were perfect for slow mornings and romantic nights in.

Features include:

  • Bathrobes
  • Central heating
  • Coffee / tea making
  • Cots Available
  • Fireplace
  • In-room treatments available
  • Safe box
  • TV
  • WiFi

Eating

The Grove of Narberth has two dining options: one casual, one formal.

The Fernery (open Wed-Sat) specialises in lavish tasting menus: five- or eight-course feasts. The dining room is intimate and charming: walls are decorated with pressed ferns, fires crackle and candles are lit on crisp white tablecloths. It's a lovely place to dine. The cuisine is modern European, using the finest Pembrokeshire produce and fresh vegetables and herbs straight from the kitchen gardens. If you can, go for the wine pairing: Fernery’s sommeliers are brimming with knowledge and a real, tangible passion for what they do.

For something a little more laid-back, choose the Artisan Rooms brasserie, with its large windows and views of apple trees. It's open for lunch (selected days), dinner and afternoon tea, and serves up mean roasts on Sundays. Expect comforting fare with quality Welsh ingredients. We tucked into a bream starter, a Welsh lamb and mash main, and the artisan cheese selection to finish. Breakfasts include croissants, colourful fruit salads, oats and delicious cooked options such as pancakes, buttermilk waffles, eggs Benedict and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs.

For lunch, you can opt for a picnic experience, where the chef curates personalised Gourmet Hampers with charcuterie and Champagne for a leisurely afternoon on the sunny terrace, or ask for the hearty Rucksack Walkers' picnic to take on your hike. And if you fancy staying put, we highly recommend the hotel’s renowned afternoon tea.

For eating out, the owners recommend their sister restaurant, Coast. It's located 15 minutes away in Saundersfoot and offers spectacular views and locally sourced fresh seafood. With wonderful foodie surprises in Narberth (including gourmet grocers Wise Buy), it is definitely worth a visit.

Features include:

  • Bar
  • Kids' meals
  • Picnics on request
  • Restaurant
  • Restaurants nearby
  • Room service
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Walking: a stroll through the property's 26 acres takes approximately 40 minutes. The Walled Garden is great for a post-dinner walk, or you can wander amidst the Japanese cherry blossoms and around the sparkling pond. Further afield, Pembokeshire has some of the most stunning coastal walks in the UK, ranging from steep limestone cliffs to undulating red sandstone bays and volcanic headlands – there’s 186 miles to traverse!
  • Beaches: you're within easy striking distance of many award-winning sandy stretches (Barafundle Bay, accessed by cliff path only, is regularly voted one of the best in the UK). Surfers head to Freshwater West (classic spot) and Newgale (good for beginners and gear available for hire)
  • Tenby: this pretty harbour town with award-winning beaches, a castle and attractive Georgian architecture all contained within fortified walls is only 20 minutes' drive away
  • Narberth: a surprisingly hip Welsh market town with delis, cafes, boutiques and galleries is just 2 miles away
  • Horse riding: can be arranged with a nearby stables and there are lots of bridleways taking you into the Pembrokeshire National Park
  • Coastal foraging: courses can be arranged in Saundersfoot, where you'll learn some fascinating tips and coastal history
  • Adventure sports: mountain biking and the high-adrenaline sport of coasteering can also be arranged nearby
  • Golf: there's an 18-hole course down the lane at Heronsbrook plus a championship links course at Tenby

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Cycling
  • Foraging
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Horse riding
  • Mountain biking
  • Surfing

Kids

Families with children of all ages are very welcome at the Grove. Under 4s stay for free.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Of the rooms, the Suites are best for families, as they have private gardens and sofabeds. The House Signature Suite, Daniel & Elizabeth, can be booked with an adjoining twin room to provide a Family Suite, located on a private floor within the main house of the hotel. A cot (free) can be added to rooms, subject to availability.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Babysitting:

Babysitting can be arranged with advance notice

Baby equipment:

Baby cots, high chairs, baby baths, nappy bins and changing mats are available upon request.

Remember  baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking

Children's meals:

Children under 12 are not permitted in The Fernery. All ages are welcome in the Artisan Rooms, and there is a children's menu available.

Kids Activities on site:

  • Board games in the main house
  • Boules or croquet on the lawns
  • Magical fairy trail around the grounds

Kids Activities nearby:

  • Folly Farm (funfair, outdoor play area, kid-friendly woods, zoo)
  • Oakwood Theme Park
  • The Dinosaur Park
  • The Reptile Experience
  • Merlin’s Magic Children’s Play Centre
  • Manor House Wildlife Park
  • Toddler-friendly sandy beaches

Kid Friendly:

Location

The Grove of Narberth is just outside the charming town of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, 20 minutes inland from Tenby.

By Train:
Narberth has its own train station, 10 minutes' drive from the house. It is a request stop so make sure you advise the driver. There is also a station in Clunderwen which gives you additional routes/times.

By Car:
The hotel is an easy drive from the M4. Follow A48 towards Carmarthen then join the A40 towards Haverfordwest, then A478 to Narberth. If you want to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations. There's free parking at the hotel as well as one universal and two Tesla charging points for an electric car.

By Air:
The nearest international airport is Cardiff International, which is about 150km (90 miles) away. For a list of airlines serving this airport, click on the links at the bottom of the page.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to the UK and getting around

Airports:

  • Cardiff 150.0 km CWL

Other:

  • Beach 10.0 km
  • Shops 1.0 km
  • Restaurant 1.0 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests

10/10
Room
10/10
Food
10/10
Service
9/10
Value
10/10
Overall

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Rates for Grove of Narberth

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