It’s not often I think of ‘luxury’ and ‘holiday park’ synonymously. In fact, if I were asked to describe a holiday park, I’d picture patterned duvets, hands clutched round sticky ice creams, the clinking of arcade games. Wonderful in a nostalgic way, yes, but not something I’d necessarily pick in my adulthood for a relaxing break away. Fast forward a few months and the story couldn’t be more different. I’m sitting in a rooftop hot tub nestled in the heart of Cornwall. The water is hot, I’ve got an ice-cold glass of prosecco in hand and the weak evening sunlight is soft. Countryside rolls below me as far as the eye can see and the air is quiet apart from the sounds of the bubbles from the tub and birds in the air. I feel myself relaxing, worlds away from the hustle and bustle of London. I’m staying at Away Resorts Retallack, a UK holiday park nestled between Padstow, Newquay and Wadebridge in the former grounds of the old Spirit of the West theme park. A 100-acre resort with a range of barns, lodges and activities it’s ideal for a break away.
Arrival
My husband, toddler and I pull up to Retallack Resort late afternoon after a four hour drive from London. Friendly staff greet us at reception and hand us the key, telling us about information like the swimming hours, about the on-site eatery and what to do in the local area. There’s a small shop on site so we pick up some bread, milk and things to make a pasta dish for dinner, before heading back to the car for a short drive to our accommodation. We drive slowly, past a beautiful lake and wooden-clad barns until we reach where we’re staying. We’re in one of their luxury barn style lodges, which come as two or three bed accommodations and have the option of a hot tub. Other places to stay include a barn style luxury lodge, a lakehouse,barnhouse and roof terrace luxury lodge. There are also classic lodges sleeping from 2-8 and apartments.
The Accommodation at Away Resorts Retallack
We arrive at our luxury barn style lodge and I’m immediately blown away by the size of it. There are stairs outside that lead up to a large rooftop, complete with a hot tub overlooking the beautiful views. I’d say this layout isn’t the best if you’re bringing your kids with you and you want to go in it once they’re in bed as you need to go out of the front door and onto the roof to use it. If your children are older or if you’re going with friends, it’s perfect however.
The layout of the lodge is absolutely stunning and we enter a lounge flooded with light from huge floor to ceiling windows that double up as an entry to a large terrace complete with comfortable patio furniture ideal for al fresco dining. Back inside, there is a big kitchen perfect for groups or a family, a large seating area and dining table. Four good sized bedrooms lead off the main room, two of which have en suites, and there’s one other main bathroom. The decor is stylish and contemporary, luxurious and very well put together. It’s cosy yet you also feel like you’re somewhere special. Ducks came to our door every morning and our toddler particularly enjoyed feeding them oats every morning.
Food and Drink at Away Resorts Retallack
Dining-wise, they have their on-site Lookout Bar & Eatery with lakeside views and all-day dining options. It’s a great place to get breakfast, lunch, dinner or chill with a drink in the evening. The kitchen was closed while we were there so we couldn’t try any of the food but we did wander down for a drink and the prices were reasonable and the atmosphere nice and relaxed. You can also order take away to your lodge from here if you don’t fancy venturing out or cooking.
Another option for food is the Beach Cafe next to their water sports lake. Here you can enjoy a bite to eat while watching the action or to refuel in between activities.
Things to do
Some of the best things to do at Retallack include swimming, trying out their total wipeout-style Aqua Park Cornwall’s only Flow Rider for any budding surfers and more. During the on-peak season, there are a range of craft workshops such as glitter globe making, pottery painting and teddy bear workshops as well as outdoor activities like nerf challenges, axe throwing and stand up paddleboarding.
Not only is there plenty to do in the resort itself, but you also have so many fantastic activities right on your doorstep. Some of our highlights we tried included:
The Eden Project
I’d always wanted to visit the Eden Project, but nothing quite prepares you for seeing the iconic biomes in person. We spent the day weaving through lush rainforests and Mediterranean gardens, with our toddler fascinated by the waterfalls, giant leaves and interactive displays. There’s so much space to roam, and plenty of family-friendly zones. Food in the cafe is expensive but there’s plenty of choice. There are also picnic areas if you want to save some money and bring your own lunch.
Newquay Zoo
Set in beautiful sub-tropical gardens, Newquay Zoo has a lovely relaxed feel, and we found ourselves strolling from penguins to red pandas with ease. Our toddler especially loved the lions (cue lots of roaring), and there were little play areas dotted throughout that gave us a chance to sit down with a coffee while he ran off some steam. It’s the kind of place that feels just the right size for a young family. It’s manageable, fun, and full of charm.
Camel Creek Adventure Park
This one was a total hit. Camel Creek is packed with rides, soft play, and outdoor adventures, and our little one was completely in his element. He adored the mini roller coasters and gentle boat rides, and we loved seeing him light up at every turn. There’s a good mix of toddler-friendly attractions and bigger thrills for older kids too, so it’s the kind of park that grows with your family.
Paradise Park and Jungle Barn
This was the perfect mix of animals and indoor play, making it ideal for the famously unpredictable Cornish weather. The tropical birds were beautiful, and the parrot flying displays added something really special. When the rain did appear, we ducked into the Jungle Barn soft play, which is huge and incredibly well thought-out. Slides, climbing frames, padded floors—it’s toddler heaven. It felt like a lovely, relaxed day out where we all got a bit of fun, and the indoor/outdoor balance worked brilliantly.
Lappa Valley
Lappa Valley felt like stepping into a childhood storybook. You arrive by miniature steam train and are taken into a hidden valley packed with charming play areas, boating lakes, and more trains than he knew what to do with. There’s something so nostalgic about it, with simple, wholesome fun without any gimmicks. We picnicked by the lake, rode pedalos, and ended the day with a peaceful train ride back through the trees. There’s a great soft play, lots of places to play and it has a really chilled atmosphere ideal for a family. It’s somewhere I know we’ll return to every time we’re in Cornwall – it really is a little gem.
There are also plenty of walks, beach days and cute little coffee shops and boutique shops waiting to be discovered. Spend time just getting lost down little streets and enjoying the seaside. It’s what Cornwall is known for after all! And don’t head home without trying a cream tea of course!
Retallack Resort Cornwall is both family and dog-friendly and has something for everyone. It’s one of the most beautiful and relaxing places I’ve ever stayed in the UK and has the feeling of luxury without being ridiculously expensive. It feels secluded but within reach of everything you could need during a break away. There is plenty to do if you want to keep busy, but you can also just soak in your hot tub, take in the countryside views and relax if you want to. It can be a fun-fuelled family break where you can spend your day in and out of the pool, adventuring on the lake and drinking mega milkshakes, or if can be a romantic getaway where you soak in the tub with a glass of bubbles under the stars. No matter what you’re after, Away Resorts Retallack has it all.
Book direct here: https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/parks/cornwall/retallack
Book on booking.com here
