Site Record

The Grove, mansion. The earliest structure on site is believed to be a 15th or 16th century 'Ty hir' or long house, now with the appearance of a barn built of blocks of old red sandstone and limestone. This was superceded by the tannery building, discussed in documentary sources: 'Henry Poyer, a rich tanner of Canaston, bought Grove from Richard Hitching, and was assessed at four hearths in the house in 1670. By will dated 1677 Henry left Grove to his son Daniel Poyer who was described in 1701 as a tanner living at Grove' (Major Francis Jones, Historic Houses of Pembrokeshire and their Families, 1996, p. 77). The tannery was served by an abundant water supply via a channel or leat from the south-west. The main mansion on site is belived to have been constructed in 1742 in the Georgian style. Fenton in 1811 described the house thus'... the respectable old house of Grove, embosomed in trees, seat of the ancient family of Poyer... and the place has not been inhabited as a family mansion for several years.' The Georgian mansion was added to on the north side with a 19th century wing, fitted out with Arts and Crafts fittings, fireplaces and a wooden screen in the downstairs lobby decorated with stained glass and perforated details. The house, and associated buildings and the walled garden, have been undergoing restoration as part of a hotel development since 2005.

RCAHMW aerial reconnaissance on 26th January 2005 revealed low earthworks of a possible 17th century formal garden within the grounds of Grove (see NPRN 403984). The site was visited by T. Driver on 13th May 2009.

T. Driver, RCAHMW, 15th May 2009