history of the Yard

1807 to 1883 – Brychan Yard, known then as The Coburgh Stables, provided stabling for approximately 50 horses. The train line used to end in Narberth, so these horses drew the coaches which transported visitors between Narberth and Tenby.

 

​1884 to 1920 – The motor car was arriving in Tenby, so the Yard became used to stable horses of country people coming to sell their produce, and the horses of visitor’s to the The Coburgh and White Lion hotels, both of which are on Frog Street and were at that time both owned by the same family as the Yard. Grain, straw and hay were stored in the loft at the end and the high archway was to enable the well loaded hay wagons to pass.

 

​1921 and 1922 – Frederick Brychan Rees and Lewis Bilbie Rees, who grew up in the Yard and are the ancestors of the current owners, accomplished the extraordinary feat of winning the Grand National in successive years, on Shaun Spadah and Music Hall respectively.

 

​The late 1930s and during WWII – The Yard became dilapidated during these years, as most of the stables were let out. Original features can still however be seen in Pandora’s Shop.

 

​1958 – Pat and Peter Clissold inherited the Coburgh Stables and renamed it Brychan Yard, after Pat’s Grandfather and the jockeys’ father, Brychan Rees. They converted one of the coach houses into The Koolabah, a then fashionable coffee bar selling dishes such as Malayan curry, Italian spaghetti, open Danish sandwiches and even scones with jam and cream - only found in Devon and Cornwall in those days! This sort of food was very alien to the chips with everything Tenby cuisine of the 1950s, and the name ‘The Koolabah’ was inspired by Peter, a swagman from Down Under.

 

​1963 - Pat and Peter opened Pandora’s Shop, the only one of its kind in Pembrokeshire and named after their baby born in that year.

 

​1990s to today – Pat and Peter’s family expanded to include three daughters, 8 Grandchildren and 4 great-Grandchildren, most of whom grew up in and around the Yard. Various stall holders have come and gone over the years, and the Yard is now looked after by Pat and Peter’s three daughters – Sophie, Jessica and Pandora (Poppy), who now run holiday accommodation to allow people to come and enjoy the Yard’s character and history.