Roch, Pembrokeshire
Roch Castle | |
Roch, Pembrokeshire Location within Pembrokeshire | |
| Community | |
|---|---|
| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HAVERFORDWEST |
| Dialling code | 01437 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
Roch (Welsh: Y Garn) is a village and ecclesiastical parish 2 miles (3.5 km) northeast of Nolton and 5.5 miles (9 km) northwest of Haverfordwest. It forms part of the community of Nolton and Roch. Roch ecclesiastical parish includes the hamlets of Cuffern and Druidston.[1]
Census population of Roch parish 538 (1801): 763 (1851): 471 (1901): 377 (1951): 684 (1981) In the 2011 census Roch village had a population of 463.[2]
The village stands on a prominent ridge of Precambrian rhyolite.
Name
The name Roch (/roʊtʃ/) is a rare example of a purely Norman French name: it was la Roche in 1271, and means "the rock".[3] The Welsh name has the same meaning.
Amenities
The village has a primary school, Roch Community School, for children aged 3 to 11.[4]
The Victoria Hall, converted from a farm building in the late 20th century, is a village hall and community events space with a capacity of 175 people.[5]
The village shop and post office, Roch Gate Stores, closed in 2022 after trading since the 1970s. It blamed rises in living costs.[6] Postmaster Tim Brentnall had been a victim of the Horizon IT scandal in 2009, but eventually had his prosecution completely overturned.[7] The shop at Rainbolts Hill Campsite was hoping to take over some of the shop's services.[6]
Notable buildings
Roch Castle is a small 13th century castle standing on top of a prominent rocky outcrop and is visible for miles around. It is a Grade I listed building.[8] It was restored and became a family home in 1900. In 2008 it was purchased by locally-born architect Keith Griffiths and converted into a luxury hotel.[9]
The parish church of St Mary, to the southeast of the castle, probably dates from the 13th century and now comprises a nave, south aisle and vestry. It was restored 1857-9 and has some high quality stained glass windows dating from after this time. The church is Grade II listed.[10]
Roch Gate Motel, on the main A487 road, was developed in the 1960s on a site formerly occupied by a World War II radar station. It closed in 2008 and fell into disrepair. Because of its bright pink colour it gained the nickname of the 'pink palace'.[11] There have been a number of proposals made to redevelop the site, including proposals in 2025 to create a restaurant, shop and holiday lodge complex.[11][12]
The Victoria Inn, located on the A487 road, is a traditional pub which has been trading since 1851. It also has a microbrewery on site.[13][14]
A mile to the east of the village is Cuffern Manor which is an historic house.
References
- ^ "GENUKI: Parish maps". Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Custom report - Nomis - Official Labour Market Statistics".
- ^ Charles, B. G. (1992). The Placenames of Pembrokeshire. National Library of Wales. p. 622. ISBN 0-907158-58-7.
- ^ "Roch Community School". RCAHMW. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Victoria Hall, Roch". Pembrokeshirehalls.org.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b Hotchin, Becky (30 November 2022). "Roch Gate Stores near Newgale closes as cost-of-living crisis bites". Western Telegraph. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Post Office scandal: Postmaster Tim Brentnall cleared". BBC News. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Roch Castle - A Grade I Listed Building in Roch, Pembrokeshire". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Roch Castle near Haverfordwest: £6m refurbishment finished". 3 March 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Church of St Mary - A Grade II Listed Building in Roch, Pembrokeshire". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ a b Harries, Robert (26 May 2025). "The derelict 'pink palace' Welsh motel that's been an eyesore for almost two decades". Wales Online. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Absalom, Sarah-Jane (10 March 2023). "New lease of life awaits for long-forgotten Pembrokeshire landmark". Herald Wales. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Victoria Inn Roch SA62 6AW". What Pub. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ D'Alessio, Dan (25 December 2024). "Victoria Inn, Roch, is a perfect pub for a Christmas visit". Western Telegraph. Retrieved 6 July 2025.