I've never been keen on lengthy car journeys, less so as a passenger and certainly not with little ones in tow. My battle with motion sickness has only intensified since pregnancy, adding another layer of 'fun' to travelling with young children.
Despite this, the lure of a few days away a chance to explore somewhere fresh, unwind and rejuvenate outweighs the hassles of packing and driving. 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 journey on Monday afternoon was surprisingly serene free from traffic snarls, just a lengthy hop along the motorway bathed in brilliant sunshine. Upon arrival at Bluestone, we initially joined the queue for check-in, only to realise that the platinum lodges had their own designated area. Once redirected, check-in was swift and seamless.
We approached 23 Merlin Crescent, our residence for the forthcoming four nights. The dwelling, a "St Govan Lodge", had three bedrooms and catered for six patrons it was indeed beyond my anticipations.
The lodge boasted an upside-down layout, with the living quarters above, and I was instantly convinced this place would be a delightful base for our short stay. I swiftly laid claim to the large master bedroom with its expansive ensuite bathroom, clearly larger than my own at home. Complete with a shower, a clawfoot bathtub, and a twin-sink vanity unit, it epitomised the kind of luxurious bathroom one dreams of (I certainly do).
On the lower floor, two additional bedrooms each came with a pair of single beds, easily combined to form another two doubles. A second full bathroom was there too, fitted with both bath and shower options.
One immediately noticeable feature was the child-friendly nature of the lodge; it came equipped with a nappy bin in the bathroom, stair gates at both ends of the staircase, and two travel cots as requested. There was even a potty, which proved useful as we began introducing my two year old to potty training.
The spacious upstairs area was equally impressive. The open-plan living space housed a well-equipped kitchen complete with all necessary utensils, a dishwasher, and a microwave, making it a delight to cook in.
The large wooden table and benches were a hit with everyone. The expansive living area also featured a comfortable sofa, a TV, and a cosy electric fireplace. Additionally, there was a small snug with a TV, which we didn't utilise, and a sunroom with large windows where we spent some relaxing moments.
Given that Bluestone is a car-free site, after unpacking, I took over child supervision while my two eager friends went to fetch the golf buggy. As expected, driving the buggy around became one of the holiday's highlights. After a day of travelling, we decided to stay in that evening - cook some food in that lovely kitchen and then relax on those comfortable sofas before a good night sleep.
Day two
We started our first full day at Bluestone with a swimming session at the indoor water park, known as Blue Lagoon. Not having had much of a chance to explore the site by this point, we got lost trying to find it and it felt we took the buggy round the whole site before we found it.
This meant we got to the Blue Lagoon late (and a bit frazzled), but what was to follow made the early morning stress worth it. The swimming sessions are at 8am, before the pool opens to the general public, so there was only a handful of families in attendance.
There was also no music on, which made the space felt calm and welcoming - which is particularly important for children who may be nervous around water, like my friend's son. Unsure about how this would go for my friend's two-and-a-half year old, we were both so happy and impressed with him when he got in the water.
He was able to walk in, with the water getting deeper very gradually, which meant he was able to take things at his own pace. He was able not rushed or pushed by the teacher, which is what he needed.
The lesson itself was engaging and playful, reigniting my desire to re-enrol my water-loving toddler in swimming lessons now that our days of going from bug to bug are behind us. Most importantly, since the lesson, my friend's son has found a new comfort in the water, making the early morning hustle completely worthwhile.
The pool was impressively large, featuring a smaller toddler area to the side brimming with toys. By 9am, tunes were playing and a few early birds had already made their splash.
Post-swim, we ventured to the Serendome the park's unique "indoor-outdoor adventure play area". I was particularly keen to see this space, thinking it an ingenious solution for a country prone to rain.
We dallied in the playground before enjoying some high-quality entertainment with Bluey and Bingo. The meet and greet required patience in line, but the joy on my son's face upon meeting Bluey was utterly invaluable.
A bit worn out, we retreated to our lodge for lunch and a brief rest. Our day concluded with a leisurely exploration of the village and the children revelled in the expansive playground.
By 5pm, we were back at the lodge, pleasantly exhausted from our eventful day. After cooking dinner, we unwound on the cosy sofas.
Day three
Regrettably, on our second day, we had to take it easy as I woke up with a terrible migraine. All I could muster was a short stroll and a visit to the playground and shop.
I was conserving my energy for our dinner at the Farmhouse Bar and Grill that evening. Given its family-friendly nature, the restaurant was quite bustling when we arrived at 6pm.
We kicked off our meal with some tasty appetisers, including sweet corn rib fritters, which were new to me. They were packed with flavour, and the lime added a nice touch.
This was a hearty, satisfying meal of comfort food - exactly what I needed.
Day four
On our third day at the site, we spent the morning at the Hive - Bluestone's latest hub for activities and play. The space is vast and filled with various activities.
Although we were fortunate with the weather during our stay, this would have been perfect for a rainy day. I appreciated the climbing frame for young children, while it was incredibly difficult to pry my child away from the inflatable park.
We concluded our morning with a messy play session, which was a lot of fun. It's so imaginative and full of things for children to explore. They have different areas set up and, while my toddler was hesitant about the slime table, he was a big fan of both the water station and the sand one.
I then spent the afternoon at the site's spa, which was the perfect afternoon of self-care that I needed. It is so quiet when I first arrive that I only see a couple of people.
I have to admit I started my time at the spa with a much-needed nap in the meditation room, followed by a little explore of the spa area. The saunas were very hot, as they should be, and I enjoyed how there were plenty of areas to just lounge around and relax.
Verdict
Set in 500-acres of countryside, Bluestone certainly felt miles away from the rest of the world. We were so impressed by the quality of the accommodation itself, as well as the the range of activities and things to do.
Bluestone is truly child-friendly and focused, and a highlight for me was being able to have the space and time to truly connect with my son, and my friends. We all live such busy lives, sometimes a few days away is what we need to connect with those we love the most.
