You know how annoying it can be.
You’ve just laid out your towel, SPF 30’d-up, put your new shades on, and you’re just getting to a juicy bit in your trashy novel when suddenly thousands of marauding horsemen and hundreds of French longboatmen intent on murder, rape and plunder go and spoil the mood.
At least that’s how it was at Freshwater West Beach in Wales when movie director Ridley Scott rocked-up (with superstars Russell Crowe, William Hurt, and Cate Blanchet in tow) to film the major battle scenes for Robin Hood.
The movie, which has just been released on DVD, is dripping with Scott’s famous attention to detail, and over two weeks the beach (and the locals) witnessed film-making on a truly epic scale.
Student Marlon Godfrey, who lives in nearby market town Narberth, said: “It was unbelievable. My friends and I would come out here at the crack of dawn and watch the film being made.
“Normally nothing like this happens in this part of Wales, but we’ve had Harry Potter being filmed here too.”
But after a long day putting French invaders to the sword how do legendary mythical heroes unwind?
Well Crowe, who plays Robin Hood, set up a caravan and threw endless barbecues. You can take the boy out of Australia…
But the more discerning Blanchett (Maid Marion), Hurt (the hapless William Marshall) and of course A-list director Scott headed for The Grove, a gorgeous 18th century country house close to Narberth which has been painstakingly restored to former glories by owners Neil Kedward and Zoe Agar.
The Grove offers both nine traditional bedrooms and three beautifully appointed suites. A little further across the 26 acres of painstakingly tended gardens are four converted stone cottages with oak kitchens and wood burning stoves. These can be self-catering and visitors can even help themselves to produce from the seasonal country garden.
The whole thing is set in a small hollow on a hillside with stunning views of Narberth and the Preselli Hills and the deliciousness of the setting is only met by the food served in the restaurant. The breakfast is a gem — if you can steer yourself away from the traditional Welsh breakfast try the homemade toasted crumpets with blueberries and Greek natural yoghurt or the creamed smoked haddock and parmesan omelette.
Neil says The Grove is no stranger to celebrity guests but the cast of Robin Hood was a bit special.
“To have to remain completely cool and professional even though Cate Blanchett was in the bar was difficult!” he adds.
