Best holiday parks in Cornwall: recommended sites for your next family break

Steps from the golden sands of Perranporth Beach, Perran Sands Holiday Park is a great place to learn how to surf at the local surf school or take a stroll with your family along the picturesque coastal pathway.

There’s a range of caravan options to suit every budget. And you’ll also find safari tents, yurts, chalets, beach houses and lodges, which are ideal for longer breaks. 

Kids will love the heated outdoor pool with a giant slide, flume and lazy river. And there are loads of high-energy activities on site like aqua jets and a NERF Combat Training Camp (charges apply). On dull or rainy days, the cashless arcade is great fun for children of all ages, while the soft play area is sure to delight younger guests. There’s an extensive evening entertainment programme too. 

Dining options include Slim Chickens, the Surf Bay Cafe, and takeaway options like Papa John’s and fish and chips, so you’re sure to find something to suit everyone’s tastes.

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If you’re travelling with a toddler or a young child and are looking for a smaller and quieter base, Parkdeans’ Crantock Holiday Park is an excellent choice, with caravans and lodges that are conveniently located for attractions such as Newquay Zoo and the Eden Project. 

Directly overlooking the sea, the park is a five-minute walk from the beach where the beautiful golden sands provide a blank canvas for sand castles. Far less crowded than nearby beaches in Newquay, it’s also relatively sheltered and protected from the wind thanks to the expanse of sand dunes and headlands.

Young children will love the outdoor adventure playground and nature trail, while the nine-hole crazy golf course is a fun activity for the whole family. We love the picnic and barbeque areas, ideal for families wishing to make the most of those longer summer nights. 

There’s a very relaxed entertainment programme at Crantock Beach, so if you’re after kids’ clubs and daily activities, this isn’t the park for you. For an excellent location however, where you can make the most of Cornwalls’ natural beauty, it’s a great alternative to the bigger, busier sites which can be overstimulating for little ones.

Trips to Cornwall don’t tend to come cheap, so if you’re looking to save some of your well-earned pennies, the pre-pitched ready tents at Trevnornick Holiday Park in Holywell Bay, Newquay make a great budget-friendly choice. In addition to these glamping tents, Trenvornick also offers a range of self-catering options including caravans, luxury lodges and cosy cottages, all at different price points. 

Stunning Holywell Bay beach is just a few minutes’ walk away - it’s sheltered between the headlands for a relaxed afternoon with your kids and their bucket and spade. You can also glimpse the iconic Gull Rocks, backdrop to the hit TV series, Poldark. 

The outdoor swimming pool makes the perfect sun trap, while the smaller pool and splash pad is great for toddlers. There’s plenty of outdoor space too - including an 18-hole pitch and putt course, an adventure playground, a woodland forest trail and a large playing field for a kickabout before bed.  

Woody’s Bar and Restaurant serves a ‘mini menu’ and offers great sunset views. Or grab a children’s takeaway box and head to the decking for an alfresco spot. 

The Wild Tribe Kids’ Club offers fun activities during the day (children aged 8 and under need to be supervised) and there’s a jam-packed evening entertainment programme including things like bingo, kids’ discos, magicians, singers and comedians - a great way to end a fun-filled day at the beach.  

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Situated directly on a privately-owned beach with a small playground right on the sand, five-star Pentewan Sands offers a relaxed base for families, with incredible views across Mevagissey Bay. And it’s well placed for visiting some of Cornwall’s most popular spots, including the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project. 

Accommodation ranges from spacious touring pitches to luxurious holiday homes with a choice of sea or woodland views. You won’t find as many facilities compared to larger Haven and Parkdean resorts but there’s still plenty to offer families. There are two indoor swimming pools, including a play pool with flume, as well as an indoor amusement arcade for a more traditional seaside vibe. 

If you’re an active family, hire bikes to explore the local villages of Mevagissey, Pentewan and St Austell, or head to the on-site tennis courts for a family tournament.

The shallow beach area is ideal for toddlers. More energetic guests can head to Cornwall Watersports to get involved with activities like paddleboarding, kayaking and windsurfing. 

When it comes to food, you’ll find home-cooked dishes and sunset views across Mevagissey Bay at The Seahorse. Or opt for laid-back dining at Hubbox Beach Shack or the onsite takeaway, Pentewan Plaice (see what they did there?) 

It’s worth noting that recent changes to the entertainment programme at Pentewan Sands have had mixed reviews, with children’s shows now held in a large marquee in the garden area. While some may miss having entertainment the whole family can enjoy together, it does allow the Seahorse Restaurant to have a calmer, more relaxed environment in the evenings.

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Set in 80 acres of landscaped parkland and located within a short distance of Newquay’s popular surfing beaches, this award-winning family-run holiday park offers a wide range of touring and camping options, as well as more luxurious caravans and holiday homes.

Home to some of the largest fun pools in the South West (open to non-residents too), the Oasis indoor pool features three fast-paced flumes, a rapid river ride, a water cannon and a waterfall as well as a separate smaller pool aimed specifically at toddlers. 

While they do charge a small discounted fee for the indoor pool, Hendra also has an outdoor heated pool which is free of charge for residents - a great place to soak up some sun during the warmer summer months. 

Created with families in mind, there are loads of on-site facilities to keep children entertained, whatever the weather. Outdoors, you’ll find a variety of play areas, as well as a high-energy scooter and skate park. For an additional charge, you can even book a drive in the Mini 4x4 off-road vehicles for children aged 4-10, or head out on a guided segway tour with your tweens and teens.

Little legs will love the Hendra Land Train that tours around the park, whilst the three indoor arcades and soft play park ensure the fun continues even if the weather takes a turn. 

With a newly refurbished Terrace Bar and Restaurant, along with a pizza and chip shop takeaway, there are plenty of food options too. Hendra also has a daily entertainment programme with their loveable mascots Henry and Henrietta Hippo, with everything from live stage acts and theme nights to bingo, acrobats and magicians.

Lovat Parks wins Mumsnet Rated - 100% of families would recommend Padstow Holiday Village to friends and families

In peaceful countryside just outside Padstow, this welcoming holiday park makes an easy base for exploring Cornwall’s north coast, particularly if you have dogs in tow. Guests can choose between comfortable caravans and modern lodges, with plenty on site to keep families busy, from a wooden adventure playground to nature trails and the park’s interactive “Big 5” wildlife hunt. Thoughtful touches include communal borrowing libraries stocked with beach toys, bodyboards and board games, plus dog-friendly extras such as an exercise field and a wash station for sandy paws. Operated by Lovat Parks — the first UK holiday park group to gain B Corp certification — it's also received Mumsnet Rated accreditation for its family-focused facilities and warm atmosphere.

Not everyone loves the hustle and bustle of a traditional holiday park, so if you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe that still offers plenty of family-friendly facilities, St Ives Bay Holiday Park could be an ideal choice. Here you’ll find touring and camping options as well as more luxurious open-plan lodges with sea views and hot tubs.

As well as offering breathtaking views across St Ives Bay, this holiday park makes an excellent base for visiting the UK’s most westerly point, Land’s End. With direct access, you're steps from three miles of private sandy beach, where there’s a resident surf school.

With a relaxed feel on site, kids will love the outdoor playground and crazy golf course, as well as the indoor heated swimming pool with a smaller pool for younger children and toddlers. 

At the end of a fun-filled day, families can enjoy watching the sunset from Sands Bistro, where kids can enjoy a four-course meal for under £10. Evenings also bring Away Resorts Live entertainment to the family stage including bingo, tots discos, live music and stage shows.

Sandymouth Holiday Resort is a popular holiday park in north Cornwall home to caravans, holiday homes and lodges. Part of the Hoseasons Go Active breaks collection, it’s great for adventurous families. A 15-minute drive from Bude and close to the north Devon border, it’s set in 24 acres of meadowland and gardens.

Sandymouth Bay beach is a short walk away and home to some pretty impressive rock pools for paddling and excellent surf schools (note that the walk back up can be a little tiring for younger kids. 

There’s a large indoor heated pool and a huge pirate ship adventure playground, with an exhilarating trim trail and outdoor gym equipment to burn off any excess energy before bed. There’s archery, body zorbing and sea scooters available for an extra fee. 

As the sun goes down, you can tuck into some family favourites at the onsite bistro before enjoying some evening entertainment like pub quizzes, bingo or a visit from Charlie Bear.

With an elevated location, Riviera Sands Holiday Park overlooks the stunning St Ives Bay and is home to a spectacular surf school, perfect for teens wanting to try their hand at surfing, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Kids will love the outdoor pool with its double lane water slide, and the new mini ariel adventure agility trail. If the sun turns to drizzle, the Funworks amusement arcade offers a traditional seaside vibe. 

Family-friendly dishes are served at the Bluff Inn, and the Coast Cafe terrace (complete with an outdoor play area) is perfect for a lunchtime snack with stunning views 

The Seaside Squad delivers evening fun via an entertainment programme designed to appeal to guests of all ages.

If you’re travelling with older children or teens, or are simply looking for a more luxurious base for your family holiday, Retallack Resort & Spa is a big hit with Mumsnet users, despite its premium price tag.

With stylish accommodation options including barns, lodges and apartments (some with hot tubs) it offers a stunning lakeside location surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

Parents will love the onsite ESYA spa for some much-needed R&R and there are plenty of activities to keep children entertained. Younger kids will love the natural adventure playground and there’s an indoor pool for children of all ages.

Retallack is home to Cornwall’s only flow rider, a fun upright surf simulator where you can practice your surfing technique (or laugh at family members when they struggle to stand up). For some serious laughs, challenge the entire family to the wipeout-style inflatable aqua park, jumping across the obstacles in a race to reach the end. 

There’s no evening entertainment at Retallack but you’ll most likely want to chill out in your accommodation after a high-energy day of fun. The Lookout Bar and Eatery is a great place for dinner with a varied menu including stonebaked pizzas, seafood and grills.