The Summer holidays are near upon us, which means getting out into the sun and enjoying every last minute in the sun with the family. I was kindly invited to explore the stunning countryside of Pembrokeshire National Park by the team at Bluestone Resort. Well, who could say no to that offer?
We loaded up the car with treats, board games, and very muddy walking boots and set off towards the sunshine. Bluestone Resort is nestled in the beautiful incredible countryside, beaches, wildlife and history of the Pembrokeshire national park. Offering luxury holidays in a relaxed setting where you can roam, relax and have an adventure with your families and friends.
Having arrived early and not being able to get into our lodge straight away, we grabbed our swim kit and our appetites and headed to the super cute village center. Having been to other holiday resorts in the UK and aboard before, I was a tad wary as they tend to be a sensory overload with arcade games and music blaring from opposing direction with a multitude of theme places vying for you attention.
Bluestone has managed to make their village, an actual village. With a quaint bakery, pub and corner shop all next to a tree house playground and green were bunnies took in the afternoon sun.
We tucked into the cosy The Knights Tafarn for a spot of lunch before fully exploring the site. I went for the special which was Spicy Lamb Sausages Pita with a crisp salad, mint yoghurt, and mango chutney. A hearty portion packed full of flavour and spice.
Both my parents went for the Chicken and Bacon Club Sandwich and again a hearty portion with a fresh vibrant salad and wholesome grain bread and juicy chicken.
Having polished that lot off, we slowly ambled to the Blue Lagoon to swim off our lunches. A looming dome that blended into the country in its own hill form, using sunlight to heat the lagoon within. I am a total water babe, I’m my most happy when I’m in or around water. So having a lazy river to bob the afternoon away is my idea of heaven. Ever so often an alarm would go off turning the placid lagoon into a choppy sea with the wave machine kicking off. Again loving diving and splashing around with my Dad. Having gone in the school term, there were only under 5’s with their families so by 4.30pm we pretty much had the pool to ourselves to mermaid around. The sides are awesome as well, warning one is intense which being pitch black and fast! Great for the thrill seekers!
Time had come to check out our lodge and we weren’t disappointed at all. Unlike other holiday resorts where they want to jam in as many rooms as possible to get the most people on site, Bluestone have spaced all the lodges out so there isn’t the sense of living on top of each other but more room to be yourself and relax without being overlooked. That lodge below, all ours for the week. Let me show you around….
Light and airy lounge with squidgy sofas to cuddle up on or leading to our outside patch where bunnies played.
Slick and shiny kitchen waiting for us to cook up a storm. And importantly the games table.
One of the cosy bedrooms…
Deep tub to soak away all the aches and troubles of the day.
My mum made herself at home by setting out welcome treats for the whole family.
For our first evening at Bluestone, we cooked up Mum’s amazing Lamb Tagine which I’ll share the recipe on here soon as you’ll want to try it out yourself. As the sun set, the pack of cards came out and then the competitive genes started shining through.
On the second day, the sun was out in full force, which some may say is unusual for Wales!
I swinged by and picked up our wheels for the week. Being a car-free zone during the week meant I could take to the roads in this snazzy mobile. I did not want to return it at the end of our stay. Really Bluestone is completely walkable but my Dad was suffering for a sore back so it meant he could relax and I got to play chauffeur for once!
Bluestone has two nature trail walks which take you through woodlands, alongside streams and Iron Age Forts.
I may have found some hideouts along the way.
Dad found a goose head made out of bark along our walk.
Scrambling up hills and through forts is a thirsty business so we were glad to see amongst the trees Camp Smokey.
Slurping a warming tea, next to a roaring fire is a wonderful way to spend a morning after rambling through the woods. Also a perfect spot to toast a marshmallow or two.
One of the activities we took part in as a family was on the tournament field was the CROSSBOWS!!! Yes, they were as fun as you can imagine! The staff talked to us all through all the safety points before the competition really started, it got nasty and super competitive. My Dad only won after some pity scoring, next time he’s going down!
We tucked into dinner at The Farmhouse Grill after all our adventures that day. My dad went for the special of Cockles and Laver Bread which was delicious and he tucked into with vigour.
Both Mum and I had the Calamari with Panko Breadcrumbs with Sweet Chilli Sauce. Tender flesh with a deep crunch.
I went for the Ham Hock and Parsley Sauce for my main course and once again it was a hearty serving of a whole ham hock! Smokey sweet tender hock, falling off the bone. Delicious with a side of sweet potato fries.
Mum went for the Lobster Salad which had a whole lobster on top of a salad with corn, avocado and plump tomatoes. My mum was over the moon with her salad and the sheer about of delicious delicate lobster she had. Truly a holiday treat.
Curling up with a good book in the sun is one of my happy places and when you have a lake with quacking ducklings having a splash around then your happy place is taken to the next level.
At this point in our holiday we were so relaxed we could be travelling backwards, but when you can deeply relax in a spa than there’s no question where I’m gonna be! Made up of a selection of rooms to tailor your relaxation to your needs and requirements, such as the Ice Room – a refreshing room to get the circulation going or if you are my brother, throw the ice flakes in my face to aid my relaxation. Herb Steam Rooms, Hot Brick Sauna, Salt Inhalation, Marine Steam and to splash around in outside in the thermal pools, all add up to one very chilled out FoodNerd family. So much so the rest of the day made it hard to be motivated to do anything else.
We weren’t so relaxed and zen from the spa that we couldn’t engage in some healthy competition at the Activity Centre in a game of mini-golf. Family members have lost blood over a friendly game of mini-golf in the past so we were looking forward to a christening this course. Wooden tractors to rest our weary feet between holes and tactic forming to play around the tricky wheat sheaves and staring in awe to the other families scaling the side of the centre in rock climbing walls and swinging from high ropes.
With one more evening soaking in the last rays of Summer warmth and the light thump of rabbits hopping by as we toast them with a glass of bubbles, as a family we were sad to say goodbye to Bluestone. All the staff we met, whether it was to book activities, waitresses, lifeguards, cleaners were the most friendly and helpful bunch of chirpy crew which made the holiday such a welcoming relaxing home away from home. I would highly recommend a family holiday or for a group holiday with friends as you can do as much or as little as you want, which sounds good to me. Book your own Bluestone holiday here.
A big thank you to Bluestone and everyone who works there for a wonderful family home. Our accommodation was complimentary, but all views and opinions are my own. We paid for our cart hire, activities and food.
Address Book
Bluestone Resort
Canaston Wood, The Grange, Narberth SA67 8DE
Tel: 01834 862400
Website: http://www.bluestonewales.com/
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