A UK holiday park offers action packed and fun filled family breaks without the hefty price tag of its rivals.
Getting away on holiday is going to be a challenge for a lot of people this year, perhaps more so than in recent times due to the rising cost of living.
If you do fancy taking your loved ones away and are hoping to explore a new part of the UK, then Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales may be a good bet.
The Pembrokeshire holiday park has won plaudits from official reviewers and those who have stayed there on holidays, due to the extensive range of activities on offer and the competitive price.
The park stretches across 500 acres that are filled full of opportunities to get your heart pumping and immerse yourself in nature.
Guests can head down to the Steep Ravine and soar through the trees on sky wires and high ropes. At the Serendome, take on the Sky Walk and whizz round the Wacky Racer’s Racetrack and take in one of Bluestone's spectacular shows at the Cloud Theatre.
The children's playful paradise, The HIVE, is Bluestone's newest attraction, with soft play, climbing towers and slides, and even the blood-pumping Adrenaline, a zip-line that lets you soar over the fun of the park going on below.
Away from the hustle and bustle, there’s the chance to slow down and relax at Bluestone's Well Spa, which offers a range of treatments and thermal rooms, and is perfect for parents looking to kick back while their kids play.
The resort's subtropical indoor water park, the Blue Lagoon, has been a staple of family fun since Bluestone opened its doors.
The aquatic zone includes sloping shallows for little ones to enjoy a splash, thrilling flumes and waves, and an easy-going lazy river and spa pools, making it perfect for all lovers of a dip and a swim.
If you are looking to explore the wider area than you're in a good place, as Pembrokeshire is home to 186 miles of stunning coastal scenery.
The Pembrokeshire National Coast Path has welcomed explorers since being established in 1970. It has 50 beaches to explore, 10 of which have been awarded Blue Flag status this year, meaning they reach a particularly high standard of cleanliness and accessibility.
One particularly nice stretch is the Stack Rocks to St Govan’s trail, which offers many incredible view points of the sea waves as they crash into the rocks, as well as plentiful vistas across a particularly wild and nature rich section of land inland.
Bluestone itself is set in a particular pleasant part of the Pembrokeshire countryside.
On the resort, the Nature Trail winds through 230 acres of woodland and is lit up with snowdrops, primroses, and bluebells, depending on what time of the year you visit.
Wildlife, including badgers, rabbits and even otters who have returned after many years, can be spotted by keen-eyed woodland wanderers.
Down by the lake, you can find baby ducklings taking their first steps along the water's edge, and an even closer look may reveal tadpoles swimming just under the surface. It is possible to get a closer look into the water at this time of year with paddle-boarding and kayaking sessions on the lake.
A seven-night stay in a lodge in Bluestone can be yours for £1,108 for a family of four, which comes out at £36 per person, per night, thanks to a current 10% discount.
The same kind of stay at Center Parks Woburn Forest currently costs £1,408 for dates in July and £1,598 at Longleat Forest.
If you are able to and happy to go a little later in the season, then four nights at Bluestone can be bagged for just over £300.
Previous reviews suggest the destination is worth a go if you're a fan of staying in the UK and are loyal to another of the big holiday parks.
In 2022 Which? ranked it as the best holiday park in the UK, while its score of 4.6 out of 5 on Tripadvisor places it ahead of a number of Center Parcs camps.
"Just back from a bank holiday weekend at Bluestone and pretty much everything was perfect," one person recently enthused on Tripadvisor.
"Granted it’s more aimed at younger children, but my ‘difficult to please’ 16-year-old had great fun on the sky wires, paddle boarding, bowling, table tennis and air hockey. He even entertained the swimming pool and enjoyed the slides and inflatables.
"I was particularly impressed with the prices, everything was really reasonable. The food quality was generally good, and there’s an abundance of choice."
Another happy customer wrote: "This must be our 8th or 9th visit. It is an expensive break but we always have a fantastic time. There are loads of activities for all ages and the pool is always really popular.
"It is worth pre-booking before you arrive to avoid disappointment. The resort is spotlessly clean and so are the lodges. The surroundings are well kept and beautiful."
