Our growing desire for healthy, sustainable produce is driving buyers to areas with independent grocers and farmers’ markets.
Narberth, Pembrokeshire
With the opening of the Market Square Chophouse & Grill, a new top chef installed at The Grove restaurant and the Michelin-starred chef Will Holland moving to Coast in nearby Saundersfoot, Narberth has taken its spot firmly on the foodie map. These factors – along with the annual Narberth Food Festival which took place last weekend – have helped to pull peckish punters to the are
After living in south-west London for 30 years, Diana and Charles Dredge decided to take early retirement in their late 50s and flee to the countryside. In 2011 they moved to be near Narberth in Pembrokeshire – a natural choice as Charles hailed from Porthcawl.
“We originally looked at Carmarthen, but then discovered the area around Narberth and found our idyllic “good life” house, with 13 acres in Manorbier Newton”, said Diana.
The couple, who share a love of good food, soon discovered how many passionate people there were in the area providing fabulous food – from independent delis to freshly butchered meat and seafood. “There is so much going on here food-wise”, she says.
The couple have become members of the South Pembrokeshire Farmers Club and Diana enters her home-cooked jams and jellies, as well as the strawberry, blackcurrent and elderberry wines they make at home, at the annual county show.
Carol Peett, from West Wales Property Finders (who found the couple their dream home), says that many of her clients are specifically searching for a home within a 30-minute drive of Narberth due to the town’s foodie reputation. “People sometimes ask me why we have no Waitrose here. The answer is there is absolutely no need for one; we can get everything we need from the local farms and shops”, she says.
Last year the town was brought to a wider UK audience after Nigel Slater’s BBC programme, Eating Together was broadcast featuring Narberth. “Enquiries for properties in the area have certainly risen dramatically since word has spread that Narberth and its environs is the place for excellent food”, Peett says. To the north of Narberth, Savills is selling Clynderwen House, a handsome country house in 4.7 acres, which has 10 bedrooms, six receptions and a walled garden with tennis court. It is listed with a guide price of £825,000.
If, like Charles and Diana, you are looking to move to West Wales, or buy a holiday home here, give West Wales Property Finders a call on 01834 862816. Over 90% of the properties we find our clients never hit the open market, ensuring they get the pick of the crop. We can find your dream home for you.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/buy/where-to-live-for-the-best-local-food/ – The Daily Telegraph – 1st October 2016
