Private country house venue near St Davids combines elegant celebrations, fine dining and countryside stays

TUCKED away in the Pembrokeshire countryside just a short drive from St Davids, Crug Glas Country House has built a reputation as one of the area’s most exclusive wedding and events venues.

Set among peaceful rural surroundings and restored historic buildings, the venue offers couples and guests a private country house experience where they can celebrate, stay, dine and unwind in stylish surroundings.

Crug Glas is particularly well known for its exclusive-use weddings, giving couples the chance to enjoy the venue as their own for the day. From smaller, intimate ceremonies to larger celebrations, the setting offers flexibility as well as privacy, allowing each wedding to be tailored to suit the couple’s vision.

With elegant interiors, attractive outdoor spaces and dedicated areas for both ceremonies and receptions, the venue is designed to provide a smooth and relaxed flow throughout the day.

Food is also a major part of the Crug Glas experience. The kitchen focuses on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, with menus designed to feel refined while still personal to each event. From wedding breakfasts and private dinners to other celebrations, the dining experience is regularly praised by guests as one of the highlights of the venue.

Crug Glas also hosts Sunday lunches on the last Sunday of every month, offering another chance for visitors to enjoy the setting and its food in a more informal way.

For those staying overnight, the country house offers individually styled rooms combining comfort with character. The accommodation is aimed at giving guests a luxurious but welcoming place to relax, whether they are part of a wedding party, attending a private event, or simply enjoying a countryside break.

While weddings remain at the heart of Crug Glas, the venue is also used for private parties, retreats, workshops and group gatherings. Its adaptable layout and attentive service make it suitable for a wide range of events, while maintaining the same sense of quality and exclusivity.

Guests frequently praise the venue for its peaceful location, high standard of food, beautiful rooms and friendly team, with many describing their stay or event as memorable and seamless from start to finish.

Located in the heart of Pembrokeshire but within easy reach of local towns and coastal attractions, Crug Glas offers a combination of privacy, comfort and understated luxury that continues to make it a popular choice for special occasions.

For wedding bookings, private events and accommodation enquiries, contact Crug Glas Country House directly.

PLANS for a rural enterprise dwelling to support a Pembrokeshire horticultural business are being recommended for approval despite concerns from the local community council.

In an application recommended for approval at the April meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, Southern Roots Organics/Awen Organics, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seeks permission for a rural enterprise dwelling, track extension, and associated works at Eithin Farm, Felindre Farchog, near Nevern.

This application is being presented to the Development Management Committee as local community council Nevern has objected to the application raising material planning matters, contrary to the officer recommendation for approval.

An officer report says Eithin Farm comprises about 25 acres of agricultural land, with an additional seven acres to be rented by the applicants; the applicants running a horticultural business from the site, using multiple polytunnels and employing irrigation systems which require careful management.

The report says the business has been trading for over three years and can support a full-time worker, meeting criteria which addresses planning for sustainable rural communities. The proposal is said to meet these requirements, and the officer’s report confirms a genuine need for the dwelling.

Nevern, in its objection, said: “The living accommodation is supposed to be part of the business, it needs to be closer to the sheds, making the whole enterprise more aesthetically pleasing. The area designated for future seasonal agricultural workers would be an areas that would be more appropriate for a traditional cottage. A restriction on the house, a tied house needs to be considered.”

Objections to the plan have also been received from members of the public raising concerns including foul water disposal and the application “has nothing to do with the new current business”.

However, a number of representations have expressed support for the application. Issues raised include the benefit of applicants living on site, helping to reduce travel and carbon emissions, and confirming support for local, small-scale horticulture, and the contribution the business makes to the community.

The report says there is an identified need for a rural worker’s dwelling, especially due to the need to quickly respond to changes in crop conditions and potential failures in irrigation or ventilation systems.

It concludes: “The evidence submitted with this application, having been assessed by PCNPA’s Agricultural Advisors, is sufficient to demonstrate that an essential need exists for a rural enterprise dwelling, and that the proposal meets the tests set out in [policy].

“The siting and design of the dwelling are considered acceptable with no concerns in relation to landscape impact, amenity or biodiversity. Overall, the proposal is considered to be acceptable and a recommendation to grant permission is made.”

A REFUSED scheme for a takeaway food kiosk at a former lifeboat store in Tenby’s seaside harbour, has now been allowed following a successful appeal.

At the March 2025 development management committee, Ruby Goodrick sought permission from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners to turn the old RNLI lifeboat store, Penniless Cove, Tenby Harbour, into a takeaway cold food outlet, open 10am-10pm seven days a week.

The application came before committee members rather than an officer decision as Tenby Town Council objected, and was recommended for approval despite being a departure from the adopted development plan.

However, members voted by 12 in favour to three against approval.

Since then, the applicant lodged an appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), Ruby Goodrick in her statement saying: “The application was refused on the basis that the proposed use is located outside the defined town centre boundary and therefore is contrary [to policies]. However, as outlined in the planning officer’s own assessment, the building is situated approximately 25 metres outside of the defined retail centre and is a use that would otherwise be considered acceptable within that centre.”

It added: “Furthermore, there are already existing local businesses at Tenby Harbour that are allowed to operate without issue. These businesses demonstrate that commercial use in the area, including food-related enterprises, does not adversely affect the surrounding environment or the special qualities of the National Park.”

The Inspector’s report which allowed the appeal, granting permission, focussed on “whether the development would be an appropriate use within this location, the impact on the character and appearance of the area, and whether it would affect Tenby Conservation Area”.

It said that, although the site was just outside the town centre “I consider that a small scale cold food takeaway outlet in this location would not undermine the town centre of Tenby or its retail function and would not have any impact on its future viability and vitality,” adding: “To the contrary, the development would complement the role of the town centre by contributing to having a mix of uses within this edge of centre location, which is encouraged within Future Wales.”

On objections raised about a potential conflict between customers and other harbour users it said: “Whilst there would be instances of queuing outside the premises at busier times I am not persuaded that this would cause conflict with other users of the harbour or cause any hazard with harbour vehicles; the Highways Authority raised no objections to the scheme.”

On potential impacts on the Conservation Area and Tenby Castle, the Inspector noted concerns raised but said it “would not result in any visual impact on the historic harbour area or be unsympathetically sited within this historic landscape”.

The report also said, in terms of waste generation “the addition of another small premises would not have a detrimental impact on refuse levels in the area”.

After considering all the issues, the Inspector’s final conclusion stated: “Having regard to the above and considered all other matters raised by interested parties, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed.

“Planning permission for the takeaway cold food outlet at the former RNLI lifeboat store has therefore been granted.”