Nestled in the scenic Pembrokeshire region of Wales, Bluestone National Park Resort is an ideal refuge for families, couples, and nature lovers seeking a break from routine. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Bluestone combines luxury with adventure surrounded by verdant hills, pristine woodlands, and tranquil lakes.
This unique family holiday destination aims to provide a serene atmosphere alongside a wide array of activities for those eager for excitement. Whether you’re keen on exploring the rugged Welsh landscape, indulging in water sports, or treating yourself to a spa day, Bluestone offers a diverse range of options. Its eco-friendly lodges and cottages allow guests to fully experience nature without sacrificing contemporary comforts.
For families, the resort serves as a playground rich in both indoor and outdoor activities tailored to children of all ages—from the thrilling Blue Lagoon waterpark to tree-top climbing experiences. Nature trails, bike paths, and chances to observe wildlife enhance the adventure, ensuring entertainment for all regardless of the weather.
Features and Reviews Editor Emily recently visited the resort with her family, sharing a detailed account of the entire Bluestone experience that encompasses accommodations, facilities, dining options, and activities. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a family vacation, the resort’s blend of natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation makes it a top-notch destination.
Accommodation
Bluestone offers a diverse selection of accommodation options designed to suit various group sizes, preferences, and budgets, all surrounded by the stunning Pembrokeshire scenery. The resort features eco-friendly lodges, cottages, and studio apartments, each furnished with modern amenities and comfortable living areas.
For families and larger groups, the lodges range from cozy two-bedroom units to spacious four-bedroom homes. These lodges are perfect for extended stays, boasting open-plan living spaces, fully stocked kitchens, and outdoor areas. The cottages, nestled in the village, are designed for smaller groups or couples, providing a quaint, traditional Welsh ambiance along with easy access to resort amenities. Those seeking a simpler arrangement can choose from studio apartments, which are compact yet comfortable, ideal for shorter trips.
During our stay, my family opted for one of the newer Platinum Lodges, the Carningli Lodge, which offers ample space and adaptability, making it suitable for families or groups in need of comfort and privacy. This two-story lodge has been designed with a thoughtful layout that maximizes both communal and personal areas, accommodating up to eight people.
In our experience, the upstairs living spaces are bright and airy, featuring large windows that allow plenty of natural light to filter in.
The lodge includes an expansive, open-plan area that combines a fully equipped kitchen, dining section, and a welcoming lounge. With essential kitchen appliances at hand, self-catering becomes an easy task. However, with our group of six (plus one infant), we felt that a double oven would have been beneficial, as the single oven was limiting when preparing larger meals. I can only imagine this could be more cumbersome for a party of eight.
The living area is furnished with inviting seating, highlighted by a large, plush sofa. It comes equipped with a 43″ TV and an AGA electric fire, creating a cozy environment to relax after a day of exploring the resort. We thought having access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime or the option to rent movies would enhance our downtime during those chilly evenings.
The sunroom, with its balcony, turned out to be a lovely spot for my family to enjoy drinks. On sunny days, we especially relished the chance to fold back the bifold doors and take in the breathtaking views.
Although we didn’t utilize it during our stay, there is an intimate ‘cwtch’ (the Welsh word for cuddle) room equipped with a sofa, TV, and desk, perfect for younger guests who may prefer to watch their own shows.
On the lower floor, the Carningli Lodge features four tastefully styled bedrooms, offering a mix of double and twin layouts to suit various group needs. The two double rooms come with en-suite bathrooms, which, interestingly, do not have doors—something our group found less than ideal for privacy. Nonetheless, the en-suites were spacious and well-equipped, featuring double sinks, large showers, and luxurious roll-top baths, where we indulged in several relaxing bubble baths throughout our stay. Both twin bedrooms share a modern bathroom and toilet also located downstairs.
Each bedroom is cleverly designed for comfort, complete with soft linens and stylish décor. While there was sufficient space for hanging clothes, having drawers would have been a practical addition.
Guests are required to park their vehicles in a designated area after unloading their belongings at the lodgings, so Bluestone provides electric buggies and bicycles for traversing the expansive resort. Our lodge included two four-seater buggies, which, while not very fast, were a fun way to explore the area. We found plenty of buggy parking spaces available for us to leave and recharge while enjoying various activities or dining.
Bluestone boasts a wide range of attractions for people of all ages, blending adventure, relaxation, and fun activities suitable for families.
The Blue Lagoon serves as the resort’s indoor water park, featuring thrilling slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a designated area for younger children. Thanks to its year-round heating, the Blue Lagoon is perfect for both energetic play and relaxation, making it a central feature for families. We loved taking our son for his first swim and floating along the lazy river. However, while the changing facilities are spacious and clean, they do show some wear, with several lockers that are either too small or in need of repair. On the bright side, Bluestone offers complimentary swim nappies, which I found considerate.
The Serendome is a multifunctional outdoor playground designed suitable for any weather, featuring an array of exhilarating activities beneath a unique transparent roof. Guests can participate in high ropes courses, rock climbing walls, water play areas, and creatively designed spaces encouraging exploration and engagement for both children and adults. The Serendome also offers dining options, including a waffle hut, making it easy to refuel during your adventures.
The Hive serves as an engaging indoor entertainment center focused on younger guests, featuring climbing walls, a play tower, a multi-sport arena for various ball games, and more. You can also experience Glowzone Bowling, where lanes can be booked in 30 or 45-minute increments. However, during our visit, we found that 30 minutes wasn’t quite sufficient for our group of six to complete our game, which was a bit frustrating.
At the heart of the resort lies The Village, a charming, pedestrian-friendly area where guests can explore…
Bluestone Village offers a lively hub where visitors can discover shops, cafes, and restaurants, all set within a relaxed, communal atmosphere. Guests can shop for local produce at the grocery store.or enjoy delicious meals at the coffee shop and various restaurants within the village. The area also features a well-maintained playground designed to help children burn off some energy.
While Bluestone offers a wealth of physical activities, our family felt that the resort could enhance its facilities by adding an on-site gym, catering to regular gym enthusiasts eager to stick to their fitness routines.
Activities
Regardless of your interests, Bluestone showcases a broad spectrum of activities, both on the premises and in the nearby area.
Several family members tried their hand at kayaking (starting from £15) and stand-up paddleboarding (also from £15) on the tranquil Bluestone Lake. Both experiences were guided by instructor Ricky, whose passion for water adventures was contagious. These beginner-friendly activities provided participants with the chance to glide across the calm waters while soaking in the beautiful natural surroundings.
Paddleboarding is a fun way to challenge your balance and coordination, while kayaking offers a more relaxed means of exploring the lake.
For those in search of excitement, Bluestone features the exhilarating Sky Walk and Sky Wires. The Sky Walk (from £30) presents an outdoor high ropes course that puts participants through their paces with various obstacles suspended at remarkable heights—ideal for those wanting a mixture of physical challenge and exhilarating fun.
The Sky Wires (starting at £32) offer a thrilling zip line experience, enabling guests to soar through the air and take in stunning views of the resort from above. I had the opportunity to partake in this activity, guided by instructors Ross and Jess, and found it to be an exhilarating and heart-racing experience.
True to expectations, Bluestone provides a wide variety of activities tailored for children, including archery, gold panning, wacky racers, nature art, and messy play.
My three-month-old son participated in Bubbles swimming lessons (£16) at the Blue Lagoon Water Park, which my husband and I were delighted to attend. The class included young children of diverse ages, and each child received personalized attention. The swim instructor offered invaluable tips on how we could engage our son in the water.
The Spa
Located on the premises, the Well Spa acts as a serene sanctuary for those looking to relax and rejuvenate. The spa creates a tranquil environment for guests to unwind and refresh. Thanks to the help of our grandparents, my husband and I managed to steal some time away from our baby to enjoy this calming retreat.
The highlight of our visit was the Thermal Suite, where we began our experience. This area features a range of thermal rooms, including saunas, steam rooms, and even an ice room, each offering unique benefits for detoxification, skin health, and relaxation. Additionally, there’s a calming hydrotherapy pool, complete with water jets to relieve tension and soothe sore muscles.
The spa menu includes an array of luxurious treatments, such as massages, facials, and body therapies, all designed to promote wellness and relaxation. My husband chose a Gentle Tonic massage, while I opted for a signature massage with therapist Hollie. She personalized my experience by allowing me to choose from a range of ESPA scents. The massage was truly exceptional as Hollie expertly worked through the knots I had acquired from my parenting posture. She also recommended some ESPA products that I might consider buying from the spa’s shop.
Dining Options
If you wish to take a break from meal preparation, Bluestone presents an impressive selection of dining options that cater to a variety of tastes, from quick bites to more sophisticated meals. The Oak Tree Restaurant offers the resort’s fine dining experience, featuring Mediterranean-inspired cuisine made from local ingredients.
For those craving hearty, home-cooked dishes, The Farmhouse Grill serves up a menu brimming with grilled options and family-friendly fare in a cozy, rustic setting. During our first dinner, our group savored loaded burgers, tender steak, and juicy pork. We finished our meal with generous helpings of brownie, creamy cheesecake, and indulgent sundaes. Each dish was delightful, and dietary considerations, including that of a gluten-free guest in our group, were expertly addressed. Our attentive server, Johnathon, provided exceptional service and shared helpful recommendations for attractions beyond the resort.
If you prefer a more informal dining experience, The Knights Tafarn is a traditional Welsh pub with a menu filled with comforting classics, making it perfect for a laid-back meal or a pint. The pub also features live music and quiz nights, which we enjoyed on our final evening. Guests looking for alcoholic beverages will find well-stocked bars throughout Bluestone.
For those needing a quick bite, Ty Coffi provides coffee, light meals, and breakfast, serving as a convenient stop to recharge during a busy day of activities.
Moreover, guests who prefer to cook for themselves can visit Newton Stores for local produce and essential items.
Final Thoughts
Bluestone Resort turned out to be the perfect multi-generational escape for my family, accommodating a wide range of ages and preferences. The extensive accommodation options and abundance of activities ensure that everyone remains entertained, with the guidance of friendly and knowledgeable instructors. Although Pembrokeshire boasts many attractions, we found plenty to enjoy without leaving the resort, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in our Bluestone adventure.
As dog lovers, we would have appreciated the option to bring our furry friends, but we understand the resort’s choice to be dog-free. The absence of cars, along with the availability of buggies and bikes for rent, contributes to a pleasant atmosphere at the resort.
Our inaugural visit to Bluestone was exceptional, and we have readily recommended it to family, friends, and couples. I look forward to the prospect of more Bluestone locations opening across the UK in the future.
