Founded 1660
HISTORY
What began life as a stone masonry business developed into the country’s largest dealer in timber.
William, Thomas, Samuel, Alfred....and so the story of Groves continues with a long succession of talented craftsmen. The impressive history of The Groves family who to this day still remain actively involved in the running of the business. While the family links have been retained, the business itself has changed beyond recognition.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
The year was 1660 and William the Mason was on a mission.
It all began with William Groves, a stone mason, establishing a business in Milton-under-Wychwood to exploit the local stone quarries. William’s success led to him being appointed to join Christopher Wren’s team of masons rebuilding St. Paul’s Cathedral after the great fire of London in 1666. This set the tone for the quality and craftsmanship that Groves would become known for. Successive generations of Groves men specialising in large restoration projects nationally, enjoying recognition from even the Royals, continued to grow the business into the 20th century, while the Groves women were educated in finance and bookkeeping.
OUR MISSION
At Groves we have a long-standing partnership with the villagers of The Wychwoods, having provided much needed employment over the centuries and now providing spaces for their own businesses to flourish alongside our DIY shop.
ESTABLISHED
'King of the Cotswolds'
The present company Alfred Groves and Sons Ltd was formed in 1904 and developed into the country’s largest dealer in timber in 1900s. Alfred Groves was known as the King of the Cotswolds supplying the country with sawn timber. At the time of his death (1914) his two sons Thomas Alfred & Samuel Edwin Groves had taken over the management of the business only to add to the significant reputation of the firm being known for it’s high-class traditional building skills and timber yard.
THE FUTURE
It's all about changing with the times, while staying true to our roots!
The past 30 years has seen Groves’ DIY shop grow organically to now form the central part of our trading business. From mainly working on building- and joinery contracts off site for the past 350 years, we are now committed to focusing on our shop and yard within Milton-under-Wychwood, concentrating on improving and reinvigorating this historic yard, to provide the wider community with a central space in the village to enjoy and be a part of.
