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Bluestone breaks January booking records – signals staycation boom in 2025

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PEMBROKESHIRE’S Bluestone National Park Resort has kicked off the year with record-breaking bookings, marking a surge in demand for UK staycations in 2025.

Bookings for the resort in January have hit an all-time high, with a 15% year-on-year increase since Christmas Day. Guests are opting for longer stays, with many travelling from further afield.

The demand within Wales has grown significantly, with nights booked up 35%, while data from Bluestone suggests that Pembrokeshire is emerging as a quieter alternative to the UK’s more crowded tourist destinations.

The trend aligns with a 2024 Mintel report, which found that 86% of UK staycationers in 2025 are seeking more peaceful holiday locations.

Visitors from England and Ireland on the rise

Bluestone has seen notable growth in bookings from outside Wales, particularly from visitors in England. Bookings from Bristol and Bath have risen by 10%, with guests from these areas opting for longer stays.

Meanwhile, bookings from Ireland have also increased by 10% year-on-year, with particularly strong interest from Wexford, Dublin, and Cork.

Pembrokeshire’s growing appeal

Nestled in the Pembrokeshire countryside, Bluestone has gained recognition as one of the UK’s top holiday destinations. Ranked the third-best holiday park in the UK and Wales’ top resort by Which?, it offers a blend of outdoor adventures, luxury lodges, and easy access to award-winning towns and beaches.

William McNamara, CEO of Bluestone, said: “These strong bookings show that more families than ever are choosing Bluestone and west Wales for their UK holiday, and it’s fantastic to see such strong demand at what is traditionally a quieter time of year.

“Pembrokeshire is becoming a real alternative to busier UK holiday hotspots like Devon and Cornwall, offering some of the country’s best beaches, fantastic food and drink, and a wealth of activities for all ages. It’s great to see more visitors travelling from further afield and staying longer to enjoy everything the region has to offer. At the same time, we’re proud that so many of our Welsh guests continue to return year after year, with demand in Wales rising significantly, including a 35% increase in nights booked.”*

High repeat bookings and early reservations encouraged

In 2024, Bluestone’s repeat guest booking rate remained strong at 39%, reinforcing its status as one of the UK’s most sought-after family holiday destinations.

With demand at an all-time high, guests are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. Bluestone also offers Mini Adventurer Breaks for families with young children, featuring a range of complimentary activities for those taking advantage of midweek off-peak stays.

Crime

Goodwick man jailed for stealing prescription tablets from partner

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A 47-year-old man from Goodwick has been sentenced to jail after admitting to stealing his partner’s prescription medication.

Andrew Gibbs, of Allt Y Carne, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted taking four Pregabalin tablets from his long-term girlfriend on February 14.

Prosecuting, Alycia Carpanini told the court that Gibbs had taken the tablets while drinking in the living room earlier that day. He was arrested later that evening on unrelated matters, and officers found the medication in his possession.

During his arrest, Gibbs admitted aloud to police that he had stolen the tablets. He later confirmed the theft in a prepared statement during interview.

The court heard that Gibbs has a lengthy criminal history, with 35 previous convictions covering 68 offences. He had previously faced a series of serious allegations, including actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation against his partner, as well as two further assaults. However, those charges were dropped after the complainants chose not to support the prosecution.

In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Griffiths said his client had been cooperative with police from the outset and had already spent time in custody since his arrest.

Judge Paul Thomas KC imposed a 14-day custodial sentence for the theft, acknowledging the time Gibbs had already spent on remand. He will be released shortly under supervision.

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Community

PCSOs and pupils join forces for Pembroke Dock litter pick

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DYFED-POWYS POLICE Community Support Officers (PCSOs) 8042 and 8020 joined staff at McDonald’s and Year 5 and 6 pupils from Cosheston VC School for a community litter pick around Pembroke Dock.

As part of the school’s ongoing environmental project, the pupils helped collect seven bags of rubbish while keeping a detailed log of the types of litter found.

PCSOs are uniformed civilian members of police staff who work to support regular police officers and engage with the community. Their involvement helped promote positive relationships between local police and young people.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of looking after the local environment and encouraged children to take pride in their community.

Members of the public are reminded to dispose of their waste responsibly and use the bins provided.

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Community

Joyce Watson meets apprentices at Haverfordwest transport hub

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A VISIT to the site of the new Haverfordwest public transport interchange has highlighted the role of apprentices and skilled workers in delivering the major infrastructure project.

Joyce Watson MS, who represents Mid and West Wales in the Senedd, toured the construction site on Friday (Mar 21), meeting with workers and hearing how the scheme is creating opportunities for local people.

Mrs Watson, who chairs the Senedd cross-party group on construction and co-chairs the cross-party group on apprenticeships, was briefed on progress by Kier Construction’s project manager Dean Williams and Sheila Holmes, engagement adviser for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Speaking following the visit, Mrs Watson said: “The Haverfordwest public transport interchange will transform the town’s transportation infrastructure and boost the local economy.
“With around a year’s work still to go, it’s already offering high-quality job opportunities, and I was delighted to meet the talented apprentices working on-site.”

Among those she met was Matthew Thomas, a local trainee working on the project.
Mrs Watson added: “It was a pleasure to meet Matthew, and I believe he has a great future ahead of him.”

Dean Williams, from Kier Construction, said: “It was great to welcome Joyce Watson MS for a tour of our Haverfordwest public transport interchange project. This scheme for Pembrokeshire County Council will deliver a modern transport hub for the local community, improving connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.”

CITB’s Sheila Holmes added: “We are pleased to be supporting Kier Construction in developing their supply chain for this infrastructure scheme. By doing so, we can invest in local skills, which are vital to the sector and to the regional economy. Projects like this help ensure we meet future skills demands.”

The interchange is part of the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro programme and has so far received nearly £17 million from the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund.

Once completed, the new facility will include improved pedestrian and cycle access, a more efficient bus station with seven bays and upgraded passenger facilities, and a modern multi-storey car park.

The scheme is commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council as part of its town centre regeneration strategy.

The visit was organised as part of Open Doors, a national initiative by Build UK that takes visitors behind the scenes at live construction sites to showcase the range of careers in the industry.

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