In 1936, the Graveling family purchased The Grove and moved in. That same year, Bob and Hilda welcomed their fourth child, John Graveling, into the family. The household of six thrived at The Grove, but as the children grew up, they eventually left home. Many years later, John returned with his wife Ann and their three children, living at The Grove until 2004. During their time there, they welcomed a couple more children, the youngest being Ruth. The Graveling children spent countless summer hours outdoors, often camping in the field, creating a magical childhood experience.
John Graveling sadly passed away in November 2023, leaving behind his remarkable vegetable garden and greenhouse, which supplies fresh produce for the two Grove restaurants. Renowned as the best cherry tomato grower around, John’s legacy continues through Leon, who worked alongside him and now lovingly tends to the garden. Ann still resides on the grounds and crafts award-winning marmalade that is served daily at The Grove—definitely worth a taste!
The five siblings—Richard, Chris, Liz, and Hannah—now manage The Grove, while Ruth, the youngest, launched her own glamping business in 2015. Since then, The Grove Glamping has flourished, offering a variety of five and six-metre traditional Mongolian yurts. There are three yurts that accommodate four people, one that sleeps six, and a six-metre yurt designed for eight. In 2022, Ruth and her husband Rich introduced the Shepherd's Lodge, featuring a hot tub and luxurious amenities like a Big Green Egg, a pizza oven, underfloor heating, an ensuite toilet and shower, as well as both indoor and outdoor kitchens and table tennis. The Shepherd's Lodge comfortably sleeps five, with a cleverly designed triple bunk that can be tucked away, making it ideal for couples as well.
Each Mongolian yurt, complete with oak doors, is surrounded by a wooden lattice and features a window for stargazing. They are equipped with all the comforts of home, including a double bed with a proper mattress and duvet, bunk beds, and a wood-burning stove for cozy nights. Each yurt also has low-wattage 240-volt electricity for charging phones and staying connected, along with its own undercover cooking and dining area featuring gas hobs, a fridge, and a charcoal BBQ for sizzling sausages or burgers.