We spoke with owner of Grove of Narberth, Neil Kedward on how a neglected Welsh country house was carefully brought back to life, while preserving the character, history and sense of place that make it so special.
A chance discovery
Some places reveal themselves slowly, while others leave an immediate impression. For Neil and Zoe Kedward, discovering Grove of Narberth was entirely unexpected.
“We had spent the day in Tenby and, on the way back, followed an estate agent’s sign up a narrow lane near Narberth. It led us to the gates of this rather grand but very neglected old house.“
What captured them was not only the house itself, but the setting around it. As the drive winds through the grounds, Grove sits within a natural glade surrounded by giant beech trees and wildflowers, with a stream running quietly through the landscape. That contrast between the openness of the view on arrival and the more intimate, sheltered feeling of the house creates something rather enchanting, and those first impressions have remained at the heart of Grove’s identity ever since.
At the time, Grove was a long way from the welcoming hotel guests know today. The house had been empty for years and needed considerable care, but beneath the neglect was something that immediately stood out: a sense of character and potential. It was clear that Grove had a story to tell; it simply needed someone to bring it back to life.
After that first visit, Neil and Zoe returned the following day for a closer look and made an offer there and then, which was accepted on the spot.
“It probably sounds impulsive, and in some ways, it was, but it also felt instinctive.”
Built over generations
One of the things that makes Grove so special is that it was never created at one moment in time. Instead, the house has evolved over centuries, with each generation adding something of its own while respecting what came before. At its core are medieval cottages, alongside Jacobean proportions and Arts & Crafts additions from the 19th century, creating a house that feels layered, personal and full of character.
Rather than a grand country house designed to impress from a distance, Grove feels more intimate, with each part of the building revealing something about its past.
“Each generation clearly added something of its own while respecting what was already there. That’s what gives Grove its character.“
The influence of architect John Pollard Seddon, who designed Grove’s Arts & Crafts enlargement in the 1870s, can still be felt throughout the house today. His belief that architecture extended beyond structure into the details of a space continues to shape Grove’s approach.
The Seddon Room remains one of Neil’s favourite spaces. It was one of the first four bedrooms opened when Grove welcomed guests in 2008 and still features Seddon’s original ceramic fireplace, a reminder of the thought and creativity that shaped the house.
“Seddon has quietly influenced our whole approach to Grove.”
Restoring Grove with care
Bringing Grove back to life has been a gradual process, shaped by careful decisions made over many years rather than a single transformation. The house has evolved through ten stages to become what it is today, with each chapter building on the last while remaining sensitive to the character and history already held within its walls.
The journey began modestly, with four bedrooms in the main house and four self-catering cottages, before gradually expanding through thoughtful additions and improvements. Each stage has been guided by the same approach: understanding what Grove needed while ensuring that its original character remained at the heart of every decision.
In more recent years, the interiors have continued to evolve with the help of renowned designers, enhancing the spaces while allowing the history and individuality of the house to remain visible. The result is a home that feels timeless yet personal, where each room has its own story and no two spaces feel quite the same.
A house full of life again
For Neil, the greatest reward of Grove’s journey is not simply seeing the building restored, but seeing it filled with life once more. After years of being empty and neglected, the house now welcomes guests celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, spending time with family and friends, or simply enjoying a slower pace in this special part of Wales.
“When we first arrived, it had been empty for years and felt very quiet and neglected. Today Grove is full of joy.“
For Neil, there is something particularly meaningful about seeing a place that once felt forgotten becoming somewhere that brings so much happiness to others. The rooms, gardens and spaces that were once waiting to be rediscovered are now filled with conversations, celebrations and memories, continuing the story of Grove in a new way.
“There is something very special about seeing a place that once felt fragile and forgotten become somewhere that brings so much enjoyment to other people.“
