New data shows that the air at Bluestone’s historic Black Pool Mill, near Narberth, is cleaner than any monitored by the UK government.

Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire is the only family holiday resort situated within a coastal national park. June 2025 marks nine months since Bluestone began monitoring the quality of its air, as part of the holiday resort’s commitment to sustainability and wellbeing.

Data collection and analysis has involved measuring and calculating the mean average of PM2.5, with continuous data sent for analysis on an hourly basis. PM2.5 is particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, that can be man made from the likes of aerosols and vehicle fumes or may naturally occur from the likes of dust and pollen.

Professor Paul Lewis, who is Chief Scientific Officer at Health and Wellbeing 360 and Clean Air Programme Regional Champion for Wales, leads on the collection and analysis of air quality data at Bluestone. He said:

“When it comes to levels of PM2.5, the maximum annual mean level permitted in Wales is 25 micrograms per cubic meter, whereas in England is set a bit lower at 20 micrograms per cubic meter. Black Pool Mill is clearly way below this with a mean average of just three micrograms per cubic meter.

“South Pembrokeshire is an area of clean air quality mainly due to its location on the west coast of the UK and westerly winds in the main. The wind blows in from the sea and isn’t picking up pollutants from human activities like other areas in the UK.

“Black Pool Mill showcases exceptionally clean air thanks to being away from industry, away from urban pollution, surrounded by ancient woodland, in a valley on an estuary on the banks of River Cleddau and is on Bluestone’s estate which is a car free resort.”

Environmental scientist Marten Lewis, director of sustainability at Bluestone, said:

“We have just won a King’s Award for Enterprise in sustainable development, and this new data is a wonderful addition to what makes us stand out not only as a regenerative tourism destination, but as a blueprint for best practice.

“Not resting on our laurels with this outstanding result for clean, healthy air, we’re working with Professor Paul Lewis looking to further improve air quality across the resort, including trialling a cleaning product with lower particulates. We’re hoping to monitor the indoor environmental quality within our lodges, pub and play areas too.”

And that’s not all: As part of Drowning Prevention Week 2025 (June 14-21), Bluestone’s Blue Lagoon Water Park team has been going into primary schools across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to teach over 1,000 children how to stay safe in and around water. In addition, members of the public were able to take part in open sessions at Milford Haven and Haverfordwest over the weekend.

Find out more about how people and the planet are at the heart of Bluestone National Park Resort by visiting bluestonewales.com .