I can't resist the lure of a few days away and the chance to explore somewhere fresh, unwind and rejuvenate. It always outweighs the hassles of packing and driving — and even my travel sickness.
This particular trip took us down the M4 to west Wales, where we booked into Bluestone, a "5-star luxury holiday destination located within 500 acres of wild Welsh countryside in Narberth, Pembrokeshire".
Renowned for its accolades, Bluestone has clinched the title of top holiday park in Wales and third across the UK for the third consecutive year by Which? magazine in their 'UK's best and worst holiday parks 2024/25' edition. With those credentials, we were brimming with anticipation for our Welsh getaway.
Our accommodation for the next four nights was 23 Merlin Crescent. We stayed in a "St Govan Lodge", a three-bedroom property that comfortably sleeps six people, and it surpassed my expectations.
The lodge was spacious with the living area situated upstairs, boasting a modern interior and finished to a high standard. I couldn't resist claiming the beautifully yet simply adorned large master bedroom; the king-size bed was irresistible from the moment I glimpsed it from the hallway.
But the piece de resistance was the enormous ensuite attached to the master bedroom - definitely larger than my bathroom at home. It featured a shower, a clawfoot bath, and a double sink vanity unit; it was the bathroom of my dreams.
Also located downstairs were two additional bedrooms, each furnished with two single beds which we conveniently pushed together to create two more double beds. The lodge also included a second bathroom equipped with a bath and shower.
One aspect that immediately caught my attention was the child-friendly nature of the lodge; it had a nappy bin in the bathroom and stair gates at both ends of the staircase. As requested, there were two travel cots, along with a potty (which proved useful as we began introducing my two year old to potty training).
The spacious upstairs area of the lodge was equally impressive. The open-plan living space boasted a well-equipped kitchen complete with everything you could possibly need, from ample plates and cooking utensils to a dishwasher and microwave. It was indeed a delight to cook in.
The expansive living area also housed a large sofa, a TV, and a cosy electric fireplace. There was a small snug with a TV, which we didn't get around to using, and a sunroom with vast windows where we unwound a few times.
Given that Bluestone is a car-free site, once we'd unpacked, I was left to look after the children while my two thrilled friends went to fetch the golf buggy. As expected, driving the buggy around turned out to be one of the holiday highlights.
After a day of journeying, we opted to spend the evening in - preparing a meal in the delightful kitchen and unwinding on the plush sofas before heading off to bed.
Day two
Our first full day at Bluestone kicked off with a swim at the indoor water park, known as Blue Lagoon. As we hadn't had much opportunity to explore the site yet, we ended up getting lost trying to locate it, seemingly taking the buggy around the entire site before finally finding it.
This resulted in us arriving at the Blue Lagoon later than planned (and slightly frazzled), but what ensued made the early morning chaos worthwhile. The swimming sessions start at 8am, prior to the pool opening to the general public, so only a few families were present.
There was also no music playing, which contributed to a serene and inviting atmosphere - crucial for children who might be apprehensive about water, like my friend's son. Unsure of how this would pan out for my friend's two-and-a-half year old, we were both thrilled and impressed when he entered the water.
The water depth increased gradually, allowing him to walk in and take things at his own pace. He wasn't rushed or pressured by the instructor, which was exactly what he needed.
The session was a delight, centred on play and reigniting my desire to re-enroll my water-enthusiast toddler in swimming lessons now that our household is free from a cycle of illnesses. Most importantly, the experience has helped my friends son become much more at ease in the water making the early morning scramble entirely worthwhile.
The swimming facility was expansive with a dedicated smaller area for toddlers, brimming with toys, reminding me of Bath Leisure Centre. By 9am, as music filled the air, a few eager swimmers were already at the scene.
Our aquatic adventure at the Blue Lagoon was followed by a visit to the Serendome the park's unique "indoor-outdoor adventure play area". A concept I found genius given the frequent drizzles in our part of the world.
We whiled away some time at the playground before enjoying a performance by Bluey and Bingo. The show was top-notch, and it absolutely captivated my son. Although the queue for the meet and greet was lengthy, the joy on my son's face upon meeting Bluey was worth it.
Feeling somewhat spent from the days fun, we headed back to our lodge for lunch and a brief rest. We capped off our day with an exploratory visit to the village where the children revelled in the spacious playground.
By 5pm we were back at the lodge, a mix of exhaustion and contentment setting in. After cooking dinner in the lodge, we settled into the evening lounging on the cushy sofas.
Day three
Regrettably, our second day was a bit subdued as I woke up with a severe migraine. All I could muster was a leisurely stroll and a visit to the playground and shop.
I conserved my energy for our evening meal at the Farmhouse Bar and Grill. As a family-friendly establishment, the restaurant was bustling when we arrived at 6pm.
We kicked off our meal with some scrumptious appetisers, including sweet corn rib fritters - a new culinary experience for me. They were bursting with flavour, and the lime added a nice touch.
The hearty comfort food was exactly what I needed.
Day four
Our third day on site began with a visit to the Hive - Bluestone's latest hub for activities and play. The space is vast and brimming with various activities.
Although we were blessed with good weather during our stay, this would have been perfect for a rainy day. I appreciated the climbing frame for young children, while it was a challenge to coax my child away from the inflatable park.
We wrapped up our morning with a messy play session, which was a riot of fun. The colourful room reminded me of Bristol's own amusement park, Wake The Tiger.
It's an imaginative space teeming with exploration opportunities. Different areas are set up for various activities.
While my toddler was hesitant about the slime table, he thoroughly enjoyed the water station and the sand one.
I spent the afternoon at the site's spa, which provided the ideal self-care experience I was seeking. It was so tranquil upon my arrival that I only spotted a few individuals.
I confess that I began my spa visit with a much-needed snooze in the meditation room, followed by a brief exploration of the spa facilities. The saunas were appropriately hot, and I appreciated the abundance of spaces to simply unwind and relax.
Verdict
Nestled within 500 acres of rural landscape, Bluestone truly felt like a world away from everything else. We were thoroughly impressed by the quality of the accommodation, as well as the variety of activities on offer.
Bluestone is genuinely child-centric, and one of the highlights for me was having the opportunity to truly bond with my son and friends. Given our hectic lifestyles, sometimes a short break is all we need to reconnect with those we cherish most.
