News
Bluestone breaks January booking records – signals staycation boom in 2025
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.
Charity
Pembroke Dock charity shop expands to support hospice care
SHOP NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AFTER EXPANSION INTO ADJOINING UNIT
A CHARITY shop in Pembroke Dock has expanded into a neighbouring unit to help raise more money for local hospice care.
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has completed a knock-through at its shop in Bierspool, London Road, creating a larger retail space and allowing the charity to offer a wider range of items, including furniture.
The expanded shop was officially opened on Friday (May 1) by the outgoing Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Cllr Michelle Wiggins.
The shop team, led by Kelly Elliot and supported by volunteers, worked for several weeks to prepare the new-look store for customers.
Head of Retail Julia Brady welcomed guests at the opening, while the charity also thanked staff, volunteers and supporters who helped decorate and prepare the premises.
Special thanks were given to Gill at Pembroke Dock Tesco for donating treats for customers and staff on the day.
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home operates nine retail shops and an eBay department. Income from donations and sales helps fund the charity’s clinical teams, who provide free specialist palliative care to patients and families across Pembrokeshire.
The charity says it costs £3,600 every day to deliver its free clinical services. Around 30% of that cost is funded through Hywel Dda Health Board, with the remainder raised through retail income, fundraising and community support.
The Pembroke Dock shop is now open seven days a week, giving people more opportunities to shop, donate and support local hospice care.
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much-loved local priest who recognised the need for hospice care before his death from cancer at the age of 39.
The charity provides care for people with any life-limiting condition, not only cancer, and supports patients of all faiths and none. It operates an open referral system, with referrals accepted from patients, families, friends and healthcare professionals.
Paul Sartori Foundation Ltd operates under the name Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. The charity was registered in 1982 and will celebrate its 45th anniversary during 2027/2028.
News
Ysgol Bro Teifi celebrates national championship rugby success
UNDER-18 SIDE LIFTS WRU PLATE AFTER HARD-FOUGHT FINAL AT RODNEY PARADE
YSGOL BRO TEIFI’S under-18 rugby team are celebrating national success after winning the WRU Schools and Colleges Plate Final at Rodney Parade.
The Ceredigion side travelled to Newport to face Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth in a fast, physical and closely contested final.
Bro Teifi made a strong start, with tries from Elis Evans, Llew Thomas and Jack Brown giving them an early advantage. Dafydd Nichols-Evans added the extras from the kicking tee as the team went into half-time 19-14 ahead.
The second half proved even tighter, with Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth applying sustained pressure and forcing Bro Teifi to defend with discipline and determination.
A late try gave Bro Teifi breathing space before Nichols-Evans held his nerve in the closing stages, landing a crucial penalty to seal a 27-19 victory.
The school said the win reflected the hard work, commitment and talent of the players, as well as the support of staff, parents and fans throughout the season.
Headteacher Gareth Evans said: “This game is the culmination of a tough season for the boys as they beat much bigger schools on the way to the final.
“It also builds on the school’s reputation in sport, with numerous successes this year across a range of sports and age groups.
“I would like to thank all the school staff for their tireless work in ensuring these experiences for our pupils, and the parents for their support.”
Photo caption: Plate winners: Ysgol Bro Teifi’s under-18 rugby team celebrate their national success at Rodney Parade.
News
Welsh Labour insists Senedd election remains ‘wide open’
LABOUR has insisted the Senedd election remains “wide open” despite polling suggesting Plaid Cymru could emerge as the largest party after Thursday’s vote.
Deputy First Minister and Welsh Labour deputy leader Huw Irranca-Davies said the latest figures were “disappointing” for Labour, but argued that the result could still be decided by narrow margins in several constituencies.
Speaking on ITV Wales’ Sharp End programme, Mr Irranca-Davies rejected suggestions that the campaign had become a straight contest between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK.
He said: “The polling that we’ve had tonight would be disappointing for Labour, you can’t take away from it.
“But what it also shows is there are really narrow margins, particularly for that fifth and sixth seat, and that is where a lot of parties can make a difference, so it’s not a two-horse race.”
The comments came after a new ITV Cymru Wales poll placed Plaid Cymru on 33% of the vote, ahead of Reform UK on 29%.
Under MRP modelling for the new 96-seat Senedd system, Plaid Cymru was projected to win 43 seats, with Reform UK on 34.
Labour was forecast to fall to 12 seats, with the Conservatives on four, the Greens on two, and the Liberal Democrats on one.
The figures would leave Plaid Cymru short of an overall majority, but potentially in the strongest position to form a government.
Analysts have warned, however, that small shifts in vote share could have a major effect on the final seat totals, particularly under the new six-member constituency system.
Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan said the polling showed that the race was between Plaid and Reform in many parts of Wales.
She warned that Reform could still emerge as the largest party if anti-Reform voters did not back Plaid Cymru.
Reform UK’s James Evans questioned whether the poll reflected what the party was hearing from voters during the campaign.
He said Reform was seeing strong support on the doorstep from people opposed to Labour, Plaid Cymru and potential coalition arrangements after the election.
The Welsh Conservatives also argued that they could still play an important role in a divided Senedd.
Tom Giffard said: “If you vote Conservative and you are a Conservative, you’ll get Conservative representation.
“No party’s going to win a majority.”
The Green Party, polling at 8%, could win two seats under the projection.
Green representative Philip Davies said small increases in support could make the difference in closely contested areas, particularly for the final seats in each constituency.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats, polling at 6%, are projected to return leader Jane Dodds, although party representative Tim Sly said the campaign had been focused on target seats where the party believed it could outperform polling expectations.
Voters across Wales go to the polls on Thursday (May 7).
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