In an era where travelers are increasingly looking for eco-conscious destinations, Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire redefines what it means to be a sustainable holiday destination.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Bluestone transforms former farmland into a biodiverse oasis and achieves some of the UK’s cleanest air. Now, the resort invites others to join its mission, offering a blueprint for making tourism a force for environmental good.
Early air quality monitoring at Bluestone reveals that the resort’s air is as pure as rural Narberth, one of only sixteen UK locations used to benchmark the cleanest air in the nation. Professor Paul Lewis from Health and Wellbeing 360, who oversees the project, notes that this air quality data comes from tracking PM2.5 particles—the dust, pollen, and other tiny particulates that can affect health. Bluestone’s location within the national park and its eco-focused operations give it a clear edge. With a full year of data expected in 2025, the resort anticipates cementing its reputation as a clean-air destination.
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Bluestone’s approach to biodiversity is as ambitious as it is effective. What was once a barren dairy farm has been transformed into a thriving habitat for native species, a landscape filled with grasslands, woodlands, and hedgerows. According to Marten Lewis, Bluestone’s Director of Sustainability, this restoration is more than just an aesthetic choice—it’s also a powerful carbon sink. The resort’s land is projected to capture over 1,591 tonnes of carbon over the next 30 years, dramatically increasing what the original farmland could achieve.
Bluestone’s biodiversity net gain is an impressive 50%, five times the UK’s requirement for new developments. Lewis, who has partnered with the Adonis Blue Environmental Wildlife Trust Consultancy, hopes Bluestone’s success will inspire both public and private landowners to adopt similar approaches. “The impact could be transformative,” says Lewis, noting that widespread adoption of this model could help reverse biodiversity loss and make a tangible impact on climate change.
The resort’s newly commissioned 3.2MW solar park, one of the largest in UK hospitality, powers Bluestone and the National Grid. Bluestone has also switched to BioLPG and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to fuel its vehicles, which will be fully fossil-free by 2025. Mark Chapman, CEO of Zero Carbon Forum, calls Bluestone’s energy strategy “sector-leading,” underscoring the resort’s commitment to decarbonization and setting an example for others in the hospitality industry.
In a world-first initiative, Bluestone has recycled over 60,000 disposable diapers into the materials used to create paths and driveways covering more than 4,500 square meters.
By supporting over 850 jobs and generating over $13 million annually for Welsh suppliers, Bluestone strengthens the regional economy while investing in local mental wellness and environmental projects. The resort’s Green Key certification and national recognition as a sustainability leader underscore its influence in Pembrokeshire and the UK.
As more travelers prioritize sustainability, Bluestone offers a unique proposition: a holiday destination that enhances rather than detracts from its natural surroundings. Lewis observes, “We’re finding that people increasingly want a no-compromise eco-friendly experience. Bluestone offers that—a place where you can immerse in nature, knowing that your stay actually supports the environment.”
