Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, South West Wales
Self catering holiday village committed to minimise its environmental impact
DESCRIPTION
Bluestone is a self catering holiday centre open from mid-2008 situated in 500 acres of glorious countryside near Narberth, in Pembrokeshire’s historic Landsker borderlands and within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in South West Wales. It is set around a newly-built but traditionally-designed Celtic village.
There are 186 timber lodges in the hillside and around the lake with three designs: the three-bedroom Skomer, the two-bedroom Ramsey, and the two-bedroom, semi-detached Caldey. All are equipped and furnished to the same high standards. Couples and singles can also choose a one-bedroom studio or a cottage (one- or two-bedroom) situated within the village.
Guests can enjoy The Well, a spa with saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and 15 treatment rooms. Then there’s the Landsker Sports Club with its state-of-the-art Nautilus gym; Y Tafarn, the village pub, three restaurants, a wine bar and a range of shops. A highlight is the Blue Lagoon, a water park featuring the UK’s biggest indoor boogie wave, flumes, bubble pools, a lazy river ride and interactive wet play areas. There is also a wide range of other activities including yoga, coasteering, surfing and kayaking along with peaceful strolls through the ancient woodland.
GREEN CREDENTIALS
Bluestone says it is committed to environmental responsibility and that every aspect of its design and operating plan has been informed by a desire to minimise environmental impact.
Perhaps the most notable measure is the biomass technology used to heat the Blue Lagoon fuelled with woodchip and miscanthus grown by local farmers. There are plans to build other energy centres on site. All new buildings are constructed from sustainable materials, and have been designed to maximise energy efficiency. The lodges, for example, all have low-energy lighting, triple glazing and high-value insulation, and most (the south-facing ones) have solar panels to heat water.
Recycling facilities are in place and on-site vehicles will be electric and fitted with photovoltaic solar panels. Purchasing policies favour local companies and those with good environmental records. The company says the Green Dragon environmental management system is being used to tie everything together.
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