Hendra Holiday Park review: a top family holiday in Newquay
If you asked our girls what their perfect holiday would look like their lively descriptions and excited scribbles would amount to something not far off Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay. The girls and I had the pleasure of staying twice, so were able to thoroughly test it’s award-winning status. Here’s our Hendra Holiday Park review including all their favourite things about this top family holiday park in Cornwall, and some of mine.
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Our stay at Hendra Holiday Park, Cornwall
Our first mid-week break at Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay was just before Tin Box Tot was due to start school. It was my way of making the most of our last months of holiday freedom. Despite Mr Tin Box not being able to join us (blinking work), it was a top decision.
Tin Box Grandma and Grandpa were also staying at Hendra so it was a good opportunity to grab some quality time with them.
The second time we stayed, the following year, we were able to bring Mr Tin Box with us for the ride.
Arriving in Newquay for the first time
Hendra is something special. As soon as I pulled off the A392 into Newquay and saw the well manicured driveway I knew we were in for a treat. First impressions do count!
It took us less than two hours to reach Newquay from South Devon. I was pleasantly surprised how quick and easy the journey was – the roads are excellent.
The girls had fallen asleep on the back seat so I checked in with the friendly reception team and set off to find the grandparents in one of the touring fields. They had picked up my keys earlier in case we didn’t make it before reception closed at 8pm. In the end I had plenty of time.
So, our adventure began.
Accommodation at Hendra Holiday Park
Hendra Holiday Park has been family-run for nearly 50 years and is always updating it’s accommodation.
The accommodation options
It was a huge bonus that my parents were staying on the same site, both because we could spend time with them and because I had a bit of help with the girls. Hendra’s different holiday options made this possible.
We stayed in a mobile home and my folks were a few hundred meters away in a touring field. If you’re interested in bringing your own caravan or tent to Hendra then I can report that the pitches are well looked after, as are the toilet blocks. You can stay in wide open rally fields or on pitches that are bordered with trees and hedges.
Compare accommodation prices at Hendra.
You can also camp in your own tent or book into a mobile home or lodge-style luxury caravan.
Three bedroom premium caravan: Porthminster holiday home
The second time we visited Hendra we we stayed in a Porthminster holiday home in Cherry Field. This was about a five minute walk from the main entertainment complex, pool and shops. It was quiet and had views out over the countryside.
Parking was available on grass just outside each holiday home. This was getting a little messy with the poor weather but the grounds team were working hard to mend any ruts.
First impressions
Our holiday home had that brand new smell about it when we opened the door. The seaside-themed decor was stylish and immaculate as you’d expect from new accommodation.
The layout in the living area was spacious and the bedrooms were a good size with room to walk between the beds in the two twin rooms and shuffle down the side of the king sized bed in the master bedroom.
We had plenty of storage, a small bathroom with toilet and sink, and a separate shower and sink.
Bedrooms
The three bedroom Porthminster can sleep up to eight people with an extra pull out bed incorporated into the sofa. However, there’s only really seating at the dining table for six people.
This wouldn’t be a problem during a sunny holiday when you could sit outside (NB bring your own garden furniture) but things might get snug inside during wetter weeks.
As there were just four of us staying in the holiday home space was never an issue.
You can also book a two-bedroom Porthminter which sleeps six people and has a larger master bedroom with ensuite bathroom.
Fixtures and fittings
We had a flat screen TV, DVD player and stereo to keep us entertained when we couldn’t face the rain and could even purchase wifi access from the park. The 4G signal was pretty good at Hendra so we didn’t look into this.
It’s not often that we sit still, even if it is raining, but the girls did enjoy a few afternoons of colouring and crafting with bits and pieces that we picked up from the onsite shop.
The Portminster comes equipped with cutlery, crockery and kitchen utensils.
There’s a full-sized fridge/freezer, hob, oven, and microwave for cooking just like at home.
Don’t forget consumables like washing up liquid, sponges, cleaning cloths and toilet rolls.
Take a look at my self-catering holiday packing list for more essentials.
Bed linen is supplied in this premium level holiday home and your beds will be made for you when you arrive. However, you must bring your own towels, pool towels, tea towels and bath mats, which is pretty standard in this type of self-catering accommodation.
Compare prices of holiday homes at Hendra.
What the Tin Box girls love about Hendra Holiday Park
There’s something captivating about the North Cornwall coast and particularly Newquay. Thousands of families make it their destination of choice for holidays and beach breaks every year.
I think my girls, aged between two and five on the two occassions we stayed, would go nowhere else if we gave them the choice. Here’s why:
The Hendra swimming pools
Hendra has two swimming pools: the Oasis indoor fun pool with three slides, water features and family-friendly, clean changing rooms; and a large, heated outdoor pool.
There’s a charge for the indoor pool, which is good value if you have kids over 1m who can ride the slides and lazy river. For younger kids there’s a warmer splash area and mini slide.
Both pools operate an arm band system to limit the number of people in them at any time, which was reassuring as I’m sure they get really busy in school holidays.
The entertainment at Hendra Park
There’s a full daily programme of family entertainment even outside of the school holidays. We could have kept busy from 9am until 11pm with rides on the Hendra Express land train accompanied by the cheeky park mascot Henry the Hippo and the mid-morning activity club to the early evening Hippo Time for kids, games and the nightly family cabaret.
The entertainments team worked super hard all day. They were far and away the best we have seen on this kind of holiday park. All of this is included in the price of your holiday.
For older children there’s archery, scuba diving, sea scooters and a football academy. Check the Hendra website for prices and availability of these and other activities.
The play facilities
In-between the the park’s planned entertainment we went to the two-level playground and Henry’s Playloft, which is a lovely new facility. There’s a charge for the Playloft but under 6s can also use the small free Pirates Den soft play next to The Venue club house.
Road train rides
Something that our girls loved during both visits was riding the Hendra Express.
This free land train takes a daily tour around the park with either Henry or Henrietta Hippo – the park’s mascots. There’s always a queue at 9am but the train keeps going until everyone has had a go.
Adventure School
Something new we tried during our second holiday at Hendra was Adventure School, which is free and happens a couple of times during the week.
Tot and Baby had a go at erecting their own shelter, lighting a fire and cooking marshmallows.
What mummy rated
As a dabbler in solo-parenting because of Mr TB’s work commitments, and as someone who appreciates a well thought-out holiday park, there were several things that really appealed to me about Hendra:
The well-looked after grounds
There were always site staff around working to keep the park clean and tidy. It’s an approach that pays off. The grounds were beautiful and really eye catching at the site entrance.
The catering options
There’s a couple of places on the park to get takeaway food or dine in. We enjoyed dinner at Mario’s Pizzeria where kids eat free between 5pm and 6pm, and there’s a fish and chip shop right next door.
The park shop, a Nisa, was also huge. I reckon you could easily get everything you need for your holiday food cupboard from here. There’s also a large Morrisons within walking distance. This made for easy catering options.
Things to do near Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay
Another draw for Hendra is there’s so much to do whether its sunny or raining. It makes a great base for family days out in Newquay.
During our first visit we didn’t have much time off site, aside from a trip to Port Isaac. This lovely day out was more for Tin Box Grandpa’s benefit than anyone else’s. He’s a fan of the TV series Doc Martin and wanted to see where it was filmed.
We were in luck as the cast and crew were in town during our visit. Even if you don’t watch the show Port Isaac is a beautiful place. Kids will love running around on the sandy harbour and rock pooling when the tide is out.
Here’s a few of the things to do within about an hour of Hendra Holiday Park whether its raining or sunny:
Visiting local beaches
Newquay has a lot of choice: Fistral Beach, Porth Beach and Crantock are among some of the sandy hot spots just down the road from Hendra.
We also ventured a bit further afield to Porthcurno which is an hour drive south.
Don’t write off the beach if it’s a grey day – you and the odd surfer are likely to have it all to yourselves.
There’s also plenty of great cafes to huddle in after a wet and windy beach walk. At Porthcurno we can recommend a pit stop at Portcurno Beach Cafe for hot chocolate and a slice of their delicious and naturally coloured rainbow cake!
Hitting cycle trails
Sunshine isn’t necessary for a hack around the cycle trails at Lanhydrock National Trust on Bodmin Moor. Here you’ll find miles of bike and walking routes as well as skills tracks suitable for advanced riders through to balance bike novices. Dogs are welcome too.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the National Trust property then take a look at our post about visiting Lanhydrock House.
Catching some cliff top culture
The Minack Theatre on the cliffs near Porthcurno is an incredible place to experience a play. It’s an open air theatre built in the 1930s to create an unique performance space overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
We’ve visited twice with our girls and were lucky to have sunshine both times. However, Minack shows go on regardless of the weather, so wrap up warm, bring several blankets and flask of something hot.
As well as seeing plays and storytelling for kids during the school holidays you can visit the theatre and its museum outside the programme of performances. It’s worth it for the views alone.
The Minack Theatre is just over an hour from Hendra.
Take a steam journey back in time
Bodmin & Wenford Railway is Cornwall’s only full-sized heritage steam railway and is a fun Cornwall day out come rain or shine. It was a bit drizzly the day we visited, but when you’re riding in the warm carriages who cares?
Bodmin & Wenford Railway is 30 minutes from Hendra Holiday Park.
Take your little monkeys to see the monkeys
Newquay Zoo is a short drive away from Hendra. It’s a small zoo but with plenty to see in a compact area, making it an ideal day out with young children.
Make the most of your visit by listening to the keeper talks throughout the day which are announced a short time in advance and easy to relocate to because of the bijou nature of the attraction.
Highlights for us included the penguins and warty pigs.
PK Porthcurno
Don’t be fooled by the understated exterior of this historic attraction in Porthcurno – it’s a treasure trove in disguise. Plus it’s a great place to head to on a rainy day as most of the museum is inside and underground.
PK Porthcurno tells the story of telegraph communications from the early pioneering projects to lay cables under the ocean to the introduction of more modern communications methods in this quiet corner of Cornwall.
There’s plenty of interactive exhibits to bring the story alive for children, plus you can venture underground into World War Two tunnels designed to keep this important communications hub safe from bombing.
Trerice
This National Trust property is Hendra Holiday Park’s closest attraction and is just a few minutes drive away. It’s an Elizabethan country home with lots of outdoor space for kids to let off steam, play medieval games and tackle the grass maze.
Trerice house itself only has a few pieces of original furnishings like a long dining table that could have only been made in the dining hall as its too large to remove in one piece.
This is where kids can try on suits of armour and play with Tudor toys.
More days out near Hendra Holiday Park
Take a look at my guide to family-friendly things to do in Newquay which includes where to find free days out, family attractions and Newquay’s famous beaches.
If you’re unlucky enough to stay while the weather is rubbish take a look at my tips on what to do in Cornwall when it rains.
Read about more days out in my guide to Cornwall holidays and my post about family and dog-friendly days out in Cornwall.
Our verdict on Hendra holiday park
Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay has so much happening onsite and in the local area that you need not worry about the weather or anyone saying that dreaded phrase: ‘I’m bored’.
We enjoyed staying in the new Porthminster and feel it’s a really good grade of holiday home – comfortable, modern and well equipped.
If you’re looking for a Cornwall holiday park that’s great for families then Hendra comes highly recommended. Check out the latest special offers on stays on the Hendra website and compare prices on booking.com.
Disclosure: we were guests of Hendra Holiday Park for the purpose of writing a review on the blog. All opinions are my own and those of my family.
Why not save our Hendra Holiday Park review for later.
I didn’t know places like this existed! I guess it’s similar to big resorts, but with more of a small camping community feeling. I grew up in a trailer just like the one you stayed in on holiday, but not as nice! 😀
There are lots of these type of holiday parks in the UK but I think this is the best we’ve been to. It definitely did have a nice community feel.
Were there any negatives to Hendra ?
Let me see…if I was being really picky then I would say it’s not often that I would expect to pay for the indoor pool at a holiday park if we were staying there. However, there are a lot of people who wouldn’t use it because they were visiting the beach or it was warm enough for the outdoor pool. So why include it in their nightly fee? Hendra is a great holiday park and I think one of the best we’ve been to for families looking for all round entertainment.
Oh I love the little train – how cool! I too appreciate beautifully manicured grounds. It’s the details that can make the difference isn’t it.