hen Neil Kedward look from the roadside,” Neil individuality. Each is different, but own, collected during visits to
recounts how he and his recalls. “We stumbled upon it what they do have in common is countries across the globe,W
partner, Zoe Agar, after seeing the estate agent’s that they are all luxuriously including Vietnam, Brazil and
abandoned an exciting city life for sign at the bottom of a lane. The furnished and decorated. Central America.
the lure of the rural idyll, he owner was at home and showed After Neil and Zoe embarked He has hosted his own
worries it all sounds a bit clichéd. us around. We put in an offer on designing the interiors they exhibitions in central London and
Admittedly, the story of two there and then.” realised that, with so many is very keen to work with local
high-fliers with a period home in It was the charm of the house decisions to be made, they artists to run exhibitions at The
Wimbledon and hefty London that lured them. Their Edwardian needed help. That help came in Grove and to buy work from
salaries, ditching it all to enjoy home in London was quirky and the form of top Welsh interior these artists to decorate the
the tranquil pleasures of the The Grove shares that designer, Lesley Taylor, who has a cottages and the hotel bedrooms.
countryside, does sound familiar. characteristic. business less than a mile from The hotel has already
It’s true that Neil and Zoe are not The Georgian L-shaped house The Grove. Not only did she help welcomed its first guests. When
pioneers; many city folk have was extended in the late 19th them with the interiors of the Neil and Zoe read the first entry
trodden this path, but, while Century, when the hall, staircase, house, but with the four holiday in the visitor’s book, they knew
others have fled back to the city lounge, master bedroom and the cottages that stand in the they had made the right decision
after the stark realisation that first floor landing library were grounds. to open The Grove to guests. It
country life was not for them, Neil added. This enlargement was “Lesley has been fabulous in read: “We came to celebrate our
and Zoe have developed an designed by the notable architect, helping us achieve our vision for tenth wedding anniversary and
infatuation that binds them to John Pollard Seddon, in the neo- The Grove,” says Zoe. “We we couldn’t have picked a better
Pembrokeshire. gothic Victorian style, heavily wanted an exciting boutique hotel setting. Neil and Zoe were warm
That obsession is The Grove, a influenced by the Arts and Crafts while staying true to the style of and inviting and we look forward
stunning 18th century country movement, still very much in the existing interior and avoiding to many visits in the future.”
house near Narberth, which they evidence today. a formulaic design that If the happy couple do return,
have opened as a luxury boutique Neil and Zoe have been characterises so many newly- they will have the opportunity of
hotel. meticulous in preserving the refurbished luxury hotels.” dining in the restaurant which
When the couple first set eyes original features. The house has And that’s just what they have Neil and Zoe plan to open later
on The Grove, they immediately Georgian fireplaces in every achieved. As well as antiques, in the year. This will be open to
fell in love with this imposing room. These had been specifically furniture has been custom-made the public and will serve the
three-storey property. So commissioned for the property, and upholstered in gorgeous simple, fresh food, immaculately
impressed were they that they put and all have been restored. One fabrics Neil and Zoe have prepared using ingredients
in an immediate offer to buy it. proved a particular challenge – it personally chosen. One of the ten sourced locally.
They weren’t being was in 30 pieces but was bedrooms is styled as a The restaurant will be located
presumptuous – the house set in painstakingly pieced back gentleman’s bedroom featuring across four rooms in the main
acres of beautiful gardens was up together again. dark, antique wood, lavish deep house — the wood-panelled
for sale. “At the top of our list of red silk curtains and Asian art to drawing room, the breakfast
Perhaps it was the hand of fate priorities has been maintaining give it an eclectic feel. The room, the garden room and the
that nudged them there. They had the integrity of the house. We centrepiece of the master old tannery.
been hunting for similar have only replaced the windows bedroom is a striking four poster “We aim to set the highest high
properties and were the preferred and fittings that were so bed and the room is decorated standards of service and we hope
bidders for a Georgian farmhouse damaged that they couldn’t be with Zoffany patterned wallpaper that this will be very much the
in Devon. repaired. Where we have done while Welsh woollen sheer case when we open the
But, while on a weekend break that we have used originals to curtains frame the windows. The restaurant,” says Zoe.
to Pembrokeshire, they happened match the house,” says Neil. beautiful Victorian-styled
upon the sale details for The While they have succeeded in bathrooms have luxurious
Grove. staying true to the period styling doubled ended roll-top baths and For more information
“It was a Saturday and the of the reception rooms the crackle glaze tiles. contact www.thegrove-
estate agency was closed so we emphasis in the many bedrooms Much of the art which is narberth.co.uk or email
just hopped in the car to have a and suite has been one of displayed at The Grove is Neil’s info@thegrove-narberth.co.uk.
Pembrokeshire County Living 21
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