Cornwall with Kids: Trelawne Manor Review, John Fowler Holidays

Table of Contents

Welcome to my review of our John Fowler Holiday at Trelawne Manor in Cornwall. We had a fantastic week away visiting Cornwall with the kids – we were on a budget (as usual!) so keep reading for details about how much we spent on our UK staycation. I’ve also included what there is to do on site, information about the attractions that we visited during our holiday (like Tintagel Castle, St Nectan’s Glen, St Michael’s Mount and The Eden Project), what the accommodation was like (we stayed in an apartment), swimming pool highlights, family photos and lots more! If you’re looking to explore the UK and Europe with the kids (in an affordable way!) then have a browse around my blog for loads of money saving tips and budget family holiday reviews – you can follow our travels on Instagram too!

Holiday: June 2021 (Updated June 2025)

Trelawne Manor Holiday Park

Trelawne Manor Holiday Park is a family-friendly holiday park set in the stunning Cornish countryside, just two miles from the charming fishing town of Looe. Part of the John Fowler Holidays group, this park is a fantastic choice for families looking for an affordable UK getaway in Cornwall. The park itself is built around a historic manor house, giving it a unique and scenic setting. It boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, entertainment for all ages and plenty of space for the kids to run around. Getting to Trelawne Manor Holiday Park is straightforward – use the postcode PL13 2NA for your Sat Nav – following signs towards Looe.

Things to do: What activities are there at Trelawne Manor?

The swimming pool

I’m starting my Trelawne Manor review focussing on the fabulous outdoor swimming pool because – despite the forecast looking a bit dodgy before we left – the weather was absolutely boiling while we were visiting Cornwall. We couldn’t have picked a better week for our trip, so the outdoor pool (which was often practically empty!) was a huge hit with the kids! I’ve never been in such a warm swimming pool – it was gorgeous. Heated like bath water, the pool was fantastic for a swim even if the sun went in and the day cooled down. The kids spent hours swimming and going on the flume over and over again! With barely any other swimmers around, they really made the most of it. There was also an indoor pool, which we didn’t use, but it was great to have it as an option had the weather been unkind.

Other activities

Also on site, the complex had a play park and other activities such as crazy golf, at no extra cost. It wasn’t the most amazing mini-golf but it gave us a laugh on an afternoon when we weren’t too busy, and it’s a breath of fresh air to visit somewhere that doesn’t charge extra for every activity. We loved our Trelawne Manor stay and every interaction that we had with the staff was friendly and positive – the only thing I can’t review is the evening entertainment because we only had 5 days to explore Cornwall so we were too busy (and shattered!) to check it out.

What’s the accommodation like at Trelawne Manor Holiday Park?

The apartment that we stayed in at Trelawne Manor Holiday Park was absolutely brilliant – it was such fantastic value for money. Everything seemed new and clean, the kitchen was well stocked with utensils and equipment, and nothing seemed tired or run down. We booked their Gold Range, and this particular apartment had two bedrooms, an open plan living / dining / kitchen area and a bathroom. Because we usually book self-catering accommodation, to travel on a small budget, the kitchen is really important to me. A decent size fridge, a good oven and somewhere to sit for a meal are vital – and Trelawne Manor really delivered with their high standards in this affordable accommodation. We enjoyed a week of picnics and home-cooked meals, to help make our holiday cheap and cheerful.

The beds in both bedrooms were really comfortable, with decent bed linen (which was included in the cost) and pillows. We all slept really well during our stay and found it to be a home from home with plenty of space for us to relax in the evenings after busy days exploring. The bathroom was very clean and the power shower worked well – this apartment had everything you’d need for a comfortable family trip away. The welcome pack was a lovely addition too. They’d included a box of tea, coffee, biscuits and condiments, as well as a tea-towel, dish sponge, washing up liquid and bin bags. For a self-catering holiday, when there is so much to remember pack, these extras were a lovely touch.

Local Area: What is there to do near Trelawne Manor Holiday Park?

The town of Looe

Trelawne Manor Holiday Park is only a short drive to the lovely town of Looe (around 10 minutes) and it’s an adorable place to explore. We had this gorgeous waterside view for our picnic lunch; it’s a popular place for crab fishing too, and our two loved the arcades. Our only niggle was that the holiday park was quite a drive from some of the other places that we wanted to visit whilst in Cornwall and the Cornish roads aren’t very fun – they’re narrow and windy, with few motorway type roads, so that makes some journeys quite tedious.

St Nectan’s Glen Waterfall

I’ve got to say, our morning at St Nectan’s Glen waterfall was absolutely fantastic, and I’m so pleased that we went. We’re big nature lovers, and there’s nothing we love more than a beautiful place to explore. It has an interesting history too – and it’s only a 15 minute drive from Tintagel Castle if you’re in the area – it was our favourite of all of the places that we visited on our Cornwall staycation. Check out my St Nectan’s Glen Waterfall Review for everything that you need to know before your visit.

The Eden Project

With it being such a unique place, we decided that we definitely had to visit the Eden Project too. As you walk down towards the domes, it all looks very exciting and we couldn’t wait to get inside. The rainforest dome fantastic – the children enjoyed exploring and the scale of it was amazing! I definitely felt like Dora the Explorer in my khaki shorts! Unfortunately it wasn’t all quite what we expected, and it can be very expensive, so make sure that you read my full review on The Eden Project (and whether it’s worth it) before your visit.

St Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount was at the top of my list of places to visit with the kids during our family Cornish getaway – a magical island accessed only by the water was always going to be a hit! I think that getting to and from the island was the most exciting part of the day for Finn and Lola if I’m totally honest. 😂 We paddled across from the beach and hopped onto a speedboat – they loved it! To find out more, take a look at my St Michael’s Mount Review.

Tintagel Castle

On our family holiday to Cornwall, Tintagel Castle was the first place that we visited. The views online looked stunning and it didn’t disappoint when we arrived. Tintagel isn’t actually much of a castle nowadays, as just the remains are left now, but it’s definitely a magical place to visit. If you’re after stunning views across the Cornish coast, and a quirky family day out, then you’ll want to check it out with the kids. Take a look at my Tintagel Castle Review for more info. And, for even more ideas for fun family days out with the kids in Cornwall, you’ll want to have a peak at this article too: The 10 best things to do in Cornwall with kids.

Is Trelawne Manor holiday park dog friendly?

Dogs are welcome at Trelawne Manor, so if you’re looking for a dog friendly holiday park this is a great option. And with loads of beautiful countryside and beaches to discover in the surrounding area, the location really lends itself to a walking / exploring type of holiday – perfect for bringing your pooch. You’ll need to book for your furry friends in advance, and there is a fee as well, so contact the holiday park for more information.

How much is a holiday at Trelawne Manor – is it good value for money?

I hope that my review of Trelawne Manor Holiday Park has been helpful – Cornwall is quite a drive for us, so we drove down on the Sunday and booked a Travelodge for the night for just £35 – this meant that we were then able to enjoy a full five days of fun! Our Monday-Friday family holiday at Trelawne Manor cost £280 for a 2 bedroom Gold Apartment. We booked a term-time stay at the end of June and it was great value for money. We loved our getaway at Trelawne Manor – I’d definitely recommend it for a family holiday and Cornwall is such a brilliant place to visit. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Trelawne Manor Holiday Park on the Hoseasons website. And, for more great options for places to stay in Cornwall, take a look at my article: Family holidays in Cornwall – the 15 best places to stay with kids! Happy holidays! 😊