A Perfect Family Break – Bluestone National Park Resort

Review by Sarah Cooper

Descending upon the winding hillside path to our luxurious wooden lodge I thought maybe I had stepped in to my own personal heaven and when we opened the doors to the lodge we were certainly not disappointed. A quick gaze around revealed that only the best quality furniture and appliances were in use here and confirmed to me that we were in for a luxurious time.

Baumatic, Smeg, Royal Doulton; these were some of the names that graced the kitchens of Bluestone and on top of the kitchen work surfaces were a selection of treats welcoming us. Chocolate biscuits, teabags, crisps, fruit and wine which were all little things which were greatly appreciated by all of us. This was just a small taste of the luxury which we were about to experience at Bluestone...

Our accommodation was a Ramsey lodge which was located in ‘Forest View.’ A two bedroom lodge with two ensuite bathrooms and ‘upside-down living’; the bedrooms being downstairs and the living area and kitchen being upstairs.

After unloading the contents of our suitcases in to the wardrobes (which incidentally smelt of red wine) we all walked up to the golf buggy centre to collect the golf buggy which had been provided for our stay. Walking over the bounding hills on the way there, my eldest son asked me to race him to the bike and buggy centre; and as Bluestone is a car-free zone we raced along the hills, which was slightly tough on the body as a lot of it was uphill. But racing through those hills with beautiful Welsh scenery all around us is going to be a memory which will be etched in to my heart forever. The total feeling of freedom and harmony with nature, the bonding between parent and child, peals of laughter from my children enveloping me and I felt like I didn’t have a care in the world. This was good and this was only the first hour!

Driving back in the golf buggy was an adventure for the children and my husband was asked to take the long way back to our lodge. “This is the life” he said as we circled the scenic lake and took in the beauty of the only national park resort in Wales. We were right in the heart of the Pembrokeshire playground but it seemed everything we needed was right here in Bluestone.

It was quite late in the day by the time we had unpacked and the children were exhausted from all the fun, so we ordered pizzas from Smithy’s to be delivered to the lodge. They were delicious and after the children had devoured their portions they unwound by taking a lovely bubble bath in the nicely sized bath together. The bedrooms were really comfy and soon we were all fast asleep ready for the next day’s activities.

We took the boys to the Blue Lagoon swimming pool the next morning and all I can say is that both of them were exhilarated. Corey, age 7, loved the water slides and Bailey, age 19 months loved the toddler pool with the slide and nozzles in the bottom of the pool creating a bubbling effect. The Blue Lagoon is a water park with wild waves, flumes to zoom down, bubble pools, a lazy river and much else besides – all in an amazing upturned coracle where it’s summer all year round. I think Corey really experienced an adrenaline rush when using ‘The Cannon’ and ‘The Cave’ – these are two enclosed flumes which snake their way outside the Blue Lagoon; twisting, turning and spiralling and then re-entering into a catch area.

In the afternoon we weren’t at a loss for things to do either as ‘The Adventure Centre’ was calling us. The Adventure centre contained a soft play area for the under-2’s, a larger play area with ropes, tunnels and slides, mini-golf, toy tractors to ride round, a huge tepee with toys and books in, a sand pit, a bouncy castle and a Sky Trail which was a high ropes course with 12 obstacles to negotiate – all 20 feet above the ground. There was also a Techniquest there, a Lego room, a room which contained giant TV’s and Wii games and an upstairs games room where you could play pool or air hockey. If all this made you thirsty and hungry then you had the option of getting something lovely from the Adventure Centre cafe. The raspberry slush drinks were particularly popular with my children. The weather took a turn for the worst whilst we were at Bluestone but there was no need to worry as everything we needed was right there. It was such an enjoyable place. One particular aspect I liked was that no where seemed over-crowded. I could go inside the large play area with the ropes and slides with Corey, age 7, and feel totally confident that I wasn’t going to get pushed over by an over-enthusiastic child as there seemed enough space for everyone to move about.

Can I commend this place highly enough? I don’t think I can. We spent hours in the Adventure Centre and then went for another buggy drive around Bluestone. Corey had had the option of going to ‘Junior Rangers’ in the morning but he was too enthralled by the Adventure Centre and Blue Lagoon to want to go. If he had have gone he could have done a wide variety of activities such as nature trails, bug’n’grub hunting, making bird feeders and insect houses, and craft activities using seeds, leaves and recycled materials, as well as high energy games such as 5-a-side football.

In the night we opted for some pub grub at The Tafern and it was great, not only did they offer delicious food (my particular favourite being the Scampi and Chips) but they offered a range of board games that the children could borrow to play. Outside was a small play area too and it was just such a lovely family atmosphere.

The next day we went for a nature walk, had Sunday Dinner at The Granary where the food was absolutely divine, back to the Adventure Centre and the Blue Lagoon, and in the evening we went to the Summer Hoedown at The Yard. Platters of spare ribs, jacket potatoes, chilli, beans and rice were brought out whilst drinks were drunk out of cups. Children had their faces painted like cowboys and you could buy cowboy hats and neckerchiefs, all with a live band playing music to add to the atmosphere. The children loved it, my 19 month old jigging in his highchair to the music whilst devouring his food. The evening was finished off by a delightful display of fireworks and lanterns by the lake. My boys were tired by 10pm, the time of the fireworks, but we had a perfect view as our lodge overlooked the lake. This was the perfect ending to a perfect stay. I can’t recommend this highly enough to families. All this fun and we didn’t even leave Bluestone. We will be back...

Wish You Were There?www.bluestonewales.com launches Christmas and gives Santa Claus a break!

For anyone with more than a passing interest in Father Christmas, you’ll already know that he needs as much R & R time and space as he can get in readiness for the festive season.

This summer, Santa will be having a little extra time off in readiness for his extended stay at Bluestone National Park Resort, Pembrokeshire!

From 19 November 2010, families will be invited to Christmasland –where kids can come to play in the North Pole, visit Elf Village, dine in Christmas Café or embark on the ultimate Santa Journey where they meet the man himself!

Guests will first have to pass through Elf Border Control where an Immigration Elf will stamp passports before they start to make their way through Elf Village where the King of the Elves will be present to greet them. They will then be taken to the Incredible White Kingdom where the hard working elves get the chance to kick back and relax.

Guests are then taken for an Elf Briefing before being escorted to Santa’s Sleigh Shed to help with the organisation of gifts, before helping Mother Christmas with her critical baking duties and assisting the elves as they sort through post at the Elf Post Office.

The journey culminates with kids visiting Santa’s Grotto where they will be able to chat with their festive hero, who will give them a book charting their adventure in Christmasland

For any Grinches out there, shame on you! Christmasland at Bluestone National Park is just about to add even more enchantment to the festive season. Come and see it for yourself!

For more information, visit www.bluestonewales.com