The Bluestone National Park Resort is home to a magnificent grey heron, known for its glossy coat and elegant neck. This beautiful bird often graces our daily walks across the resort, along with other wildlife like Sid the swan. While most holiday resorts aren’t typically known for their sustainability efforts, Bluestone is different.
Located in the stunning Pembrokeshire countryside, Bluestone is a former dairy farm that is working towards transforming itself into a nature-based resort. Their goals include carbon reduction, biodiversity maximization, moving towards a circular economy, and achieving net zero emissions within the next decade. It sounds impressive, but does it actually work in practice?
Since its opening in 2008, Bluestone has planted 60 acres of woodland and created two new lakes as part of a rewilding project. This project aims to restore acres of pasture to natural grassland. Leading the resort’s sustainability efforts is Marten Lewis, the director of sustainability. Marten has been recognized as a “changemaker” by the outgoing future generations commissioner for Wales for his positive impact on the country.
Marten has implemented various initiatives, including the creation of a 20-acre nature reserve and a four-acre wildflower meadow. He has also worked with local schools on bird and bat box projects and established a hedgehog release site called the local “Hogspital”. However, his most innovative project to date involves using recycled disposable nappies to pave the network of paths to the resort’s new platinum lodges.
Every year, Wales generates approximately 140 million disposable nappies, which end up in landfills and take hundreds of years to degrade. NappiCycle, a Welsh firm, has partnered with Bluestone to recover usable fibers from these nappies and mix them with aggregates to produce asphalt for the resort’s paths. This not only reduces waste disposal but also cuts carbon emissions, creates a more durable surface, and even provides sustainable jobs. Plus, there’s no smell!
Bluestone has also implemented other sustainable initiatives, such as using electric four-seater buggies for guest transportation and a bus service for staff commutes. They have a food recycling scheme in place, and their Blue Lagoon Water Park is heated with locally sourced biomass, saving tons of CO² emissions each year.
The resort is dedicated to preserving the environment for future generations while still providing guests with a fantastic experience. During our stay, we discovered a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities for all age groups. Our tip is to visit their website, pick your favorite activities, and book in advance to secure a spot.
From water rapids in the swimming pool to hair braiding and playground fun in the Serendome, there’s never a dull moment at Bluestone. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake, engaging in nature art activities, and braving the Sky Wires through the woodland. The Hive indoor play area was a hit with our kids, and they loved the Treasure Islands show and the Smokey Joe’s Shindig dinner.
Whether you’re an adventurous thrill-seeker or a nature lover, Bluestone has something for everyone. And don’t forget to pack a coat, a healthy appetite, and some comfy shoes for stomping on the benches during the lively evening entertainment. Prices for lodges, which include access to various amenities, start at £864 for a family of four.
Our trip to Bluestone National Park Resort was provided by the resort itself, and we were truly impressed by their commitment to sustainability and creating an enjoyable experience for guests.
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