Move over Center Parcs, there's a new UK holiday resort in town.
While I've never had the pleasure of going on holiday to Center Parcs, I was always envious of my friends who escaped city life, skipping off to the family resort for short breaks in the outdoors.
However, there's a now a new resort on the block, which looks like it's doing a good job at rivalling the beloved leisure company, with some people reviewing it as even 'better'.
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But what is this magical resort, where is it and is it an affordable option amid the ongoing cost of living crisis?
The resort is the Bluestone National Park Resort, located in Pembrokeshire, southwest Wales.
The 500-acre car-free resort delivers fun for all the family, not only with a whole array of exciting activities for kids such as paddle-boarding, archery, mermaid schools and science workshops, but also with a much-needed Well Spa for worn out parents.
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There's a covered activity centre called the Serendome should you hit a period of bad weather - we do live in the UK after all - multiple restaurants, cafes and even an amphitheatre too.
As per The Sun, breaks at Bluestone National Park Resort can be cheaper than some Center Parcs resorts too.
If you were to go to the resort as a family of four on 26 July for a seven-night break, it would reportedly set you back £1,108 compared to a similar lodge at Center Parcs Woburn forest costing £1,408 during the same time period, and Center Parc's Longleat Forest costing £1,598.
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Center Parc's Woburn Forest is also stated as costing over £200 more for a mid-week, four-night break in September when compared to Bluestone; Woburn Forest coming in at £529 compared to Bluestone's £308.
Rated four out of five stars on Tripadvisor, many visitors have compared Bluestone to Center Parcs.
One said: "Brilliant family park resort. Even better than Center Parcs!
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"We came down to Wales with another family and stayed in a Dino bunk. The lodge was fantastic and just what we needed as a base in the area. The swimming pool was fantastic and even better that we didn’t have to book slots. It wasn’t too busy despite it being the week after Easter.
"The village area was so lovely, such a cute area with shops, cafe and parks for the kids. The woodland walk is also a nice little added bonus. The Hive was a big hit with the kids and the food in there was lovely. We didn’t book any extra activities like the lake etc as we also wanted to explore the area, which is also stunning.
"But the absolute highlight of the stay was definitely the shindig, what a brilliant event. We all loved it. We will definitely come again but stay for longer next time."
Twitter users have also been quick to promote Bluestone online, one comparing it to Center Parcs but 'tiny and not terrifying'.
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However, others stayed loyal to Center Parcs and some even said they actually found Bluestone to be more expensive.
A visitor commented: "We chose Bluestone as a change from Center Parcs and I’d say there are good and bad point of both but ultimately we agreed we would choose CP."
Commenting on the pool as being 'dire' and in need of an upgrade, they resolved: "Overall we had a lovely enjoyable stay and I would recommend to others but to compare like for like and as there probably isn’t much in it cost wise vs quality of facilities then CP would be our go to over Bluestone."
However, Bluestone is reported as having a Lowest Booking Price Guarantee - so you're able to get a refund if you do find a resort break cheaper elsewhere.
Let the battle of the resorts commence.
Topics: Travel, UK News, Center Parcs
Poppy Bilderbeck