Bluestone Wales

[mumof2monsters]

I have been to Centre Parcs Longleat on many occassions and wanted to try something different. Has anyone been to Bluestone? How does it compare to Centre Parcs? How much are the activities and what are the good and bad points. Thanks

I've just got back from 5 days in Bluestone and have also been to Longleat Center Parcs.

Bluestone is lovely! Very hilly, smaller, and less wooded than Longleat. It's a much smaller complex and the pool and activity centre are smaller. The lodges are cleaner and newer. It's extremely hilly though and most people hire buggies; DH and I are cyclists but even I got a bit tired of the slog up hill to the car park and pool.

There are some lovely walks and beaches nearby and the staff were very friendly. I liked Bluestone more I think but it is much further for us.

Thanks for your comment. Could you do the walking without the buggy as I am told it is very expensive? What were the shops and restaurants like in terms of cost?
Just fancy something different and it is good that it is in an area DH and I love so we can go out to the beaches etc.

Have been to Bluestone twice (from London). It was cheaper than CP, much nicer accommodation, friendly, but smaller so less variety of activities and further away (we went to Elvedon CP).

I don't think we'll go back to CP because although there are fewer activities available at Bluestone, the DSs were very happy with all the 'get muddy in the forest' for 2-3 hours type thong, and although the pool is smaller we all enjoyed it more (cleaner, easier to keep an eye on children, toddler area not in a separate room).

Shop is small, but has essentials. I cooked there and took most of the food bit we stayed for a whole week this year and went to Sainsbury in Tenby on a day out. Lovely area, really recommend it.

Oh, and we didn't hire a buggy and DSs 10,8 and 3 were fine walking everywhere (with occasional 'bus' ride).

We took all of our food so I can't really comment on that, but the ice cream and coffees we had were cheaper than my home town .

Events wise, DD is too young, but you can play in the adventure centre in the mornings without paying. There was a circus soft play room for smalls and a bouncy castle and big climbing activity centre.

We originally booked a buggy because i was on crutches. The buggy wasn't all that expensive and we booked early to get 20% of the price credited to our site card. In the end we cancelled it with no bother.

Lots of free stuff - bike trails, walking trails, a lake to walk round, a small park, the pool, adventure centre in the morning.

They also have a tractor, bus thing which will take you up to the pool, shops etc.

I haven't been to center parcs but I really liked bluestone. The lodge we had was lovely, very modern.

My boys loved the ice creams too

Bluestone is cheaper, smaller and more open. It doesn't have the staggered design or the trees & bushes so you are much more aware of houses in front, behind and to the side.

Bigger rooms though and newer and feel cleaner cos they don't have all the dents of cp.

Pool is not available 10am-9pm like CP. Often closes at 5pm for lessons for locals. And you can turn up and pay to go in - is not exclusive.

The slides are for those over 1m10 and the lifeguards are strict.

That said it's easy to get out and about - use Tesco Days Out vouchers for Folly Farm. Beaches are glorious.

Bluestone is great. Been to Center Parcs several times but love Bluestone.
Camp Smokey is fantastic for adults and kids. My kids loved it , especially the Adventure Centre and all the staff are so polite and helpful.

Would it be suitable for 12 year old boy? Or more suitable for younger kids? I also have a 9 year old girl?