Hendra Holiday Park: Complete Guide to Camping, Caravans & Oasis Fun Pools

Planning a family holiday in Cornwall? Hendra Holiday Park is one of the region’s most popular holiday destinations, offering a perfect mix of comfortable accommodation, exciting attractions, and family-friendly entertainment. Located in Newquay, Cornwall, this award-winning holiday park is just a short drive from some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches, making it an ideal base for exploring the Cornish coast.

One of the biggest highlights of Hendra Holiday Park is the Oasis Fun Pools, a tropical-style indoor and outdoor water complex featuring thrilling water slides, splash zones, and relaxing pools for visitors of all ages. Beyond the water park, guests can enjoy modern holiday caravans, camping and touring pitches, restaurants, live entertainment, adventure playgrounds, and a variety of activities designed for families.

Whether you’re planning a summer holiday, a weekend break, or a longer stay in Cornwall, this guide covers everything you need to know before visiting Hendra Holiday Park. If you enjoy discovering great family destinations, don’t miss our guides to Wild Rose Holiday Park, DreamWorks Water Park, and Burford Town Centre.

Quick facts

Item	Details
Location	Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4NY
Park type	Family holiday park with camping and touring
Accommodation	Caravans, lodges, glamping and a large house (Chestnut House)
Pools	Indoor Oasis Fun Pools plus a seasonal outdoor heated pool
Pets	Dog-friendly caravans and pitches, with restrictions in some indoor venues
Nearby destination	Newquay and the north Cornwall coast
Best suited to	Families, campers, touring visitors and activity-focused breaks
Accessibility	Dedicated accessibility statement and a fully accessible Kynance caravan

Is Hendra Holiday Park worth visiting?

Hendra has been run by the same family since 1972, and that long history shows in how comprehensive the site has become. It isn’t a quiet countryside campsite where you pitch a tent and barely see another guest; it’s a self-contained resort with its own restaurants, pools, entertainment venue and activity programme. That makes it an easy sell for families who want everything under one roof, especially during a Cornish downpour. Parents don’t have to drive anywhere for the kids to burn off energy, and the indoor fun pool complex means a wet afternoon doesn’t wreck the holiday.

The trade-off is atmosphere. A resort with hundreds of pitches and multiple accommodation types gets busy in peak weeks, and a genuinely quiet countryside stay is easier to find at a smaller, simpler campsite. Guests who want total peace, or who dislike resort-style facilities, may find Hendra louder and busier than they’d like, particularly around the pools and entertainment venue in the school holidays. It’s also worth remembering that Hendra sits just outside Newquay rather than in the town itself, so anyone wanting to walk to restaurants, shops or the harbour each evening should factor in a short drive or the option to use local transport links.

Independent review platforms give a broadly positive picture, though as with any large holiday park, experiences vary depending on the accommodation, the field and the time of year. Read recent reviews rather than older ones, since facilities and management standards can shift over time.

Is Hendra Holiday Park good for families?

Yes, it’s built around family holidays, with two swimming pool complexes, dedicated children’s play areas, a resident “hippo” mascot duo, and a full daytime and evening entertainment programme. Families wanting a self-contained resort with plenty to do will get the most value from a stay here.

Best for / less suitable for

Best for	May be less suitable for
Families wanting pools and entertainment	Travellers seeking a quiet, adults-only retreat
Caravan and lodge holidays	Visitors wanting to stay right in central Newquay
Camping and touring	Guests who dislike resort-style facilities
Dog owners using designated accommodation	Dogs needing access to every restaurant and venue

Where is Hendra Holiday Park?

Hendra Holiday Park sits in Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4NY, on the edge of the town rather than on the seafront itself. Independent listings put it roughly 1.5 miles from Newquay town centre, though exact travel time depends on traffic, parking, and which part of town or which beach you’re heading to. If you’re driving from further afield, the standard route from the M5 is to head south to Exeter, pick up the A30 westbound, and follow it through to the A39 before joining the A392 into Newquay, passing through Quintrell Downs on the way in. Always check live traffic conditions before setting off, especially on Saturdays in peak season when Cornwall’s main roads slow considerably.

Because Hendra isn’t on the seafront, most guests either drive to the beach or use local transport. Some seasons have included a land-train style service connecting the park with Newquay, though timetables and routes vary, so check the current schedule on Hendra’s official site rather than assuming a fixed service.

How far is Hendra Holiday Park from Newquay?

Around 1.5 miles from Newquay town centre, according to independent campsite listings, with the exact drive time depending on traffic and season. It’s close enough for a quick trip into town but far enough that most guests will use a car rather than walk.

Accommodation at Hendra Holiday Park

Hendra’s accommodation range runs from straightforward budget caravans through to premium lodges and a standalone house, so there’s a genuine spread of price points and specifications on site.

Holiday caravans and lodges

Caravan holiday homes come in a range of sizes, bedroom counts and specifications, with entry-level units typically offering simpler furnishings and higher-specification homes adding extras like decking, upgraded kitchens and better heating. The top-of-the-range Watergate caravans include dog-friendly options, while the Meadow Lodges sit in their own exclusive area of the park, known as the Meadow Retreat, with shaker-style kitchens, private decking and, in some packages, unlimited swim vouchers for the Oasis pools.

For larger groups, Chestnut House is a four-bedroom standalone house on the edge of the park that sleeps up to eight people, aimed at extended families or two families holidaying together who want more privacy than a standard caravan offers.

Across the range, expect kitchen equipment, heating and outdoor seating as standard, though bedding, towels and Wi-Fi inclusions vary by unit and package; always check what’s included before booking rather than assuming.

Camping and touring pitches

Hendra has 12 fields of touring and camping pitches spread across the park, in a range of sizes and locations. The park caters for tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans, with electric hook-up and hard-standing pitches available alongside grass options. On-site infrastructure includes multiple water points, washing-up blocks, waste disposal areas and a launderette, and the toilet block facilities have picked up “Loo of the Year” recognition in past years, a small but genuinely useful detail if you’ve ever camped somewhere with tired, poorly maintained washrooms.

Some fields sit closer to the main facilities and entertainment, which suits families who want convenience, while others are further out and quieter, worth asking about when you book if peace and quiet matters more to you than proximity to the pools.

Glamping and alternative stays

Alongside traditional caravans and pitches, Hendra has offered glamping-style units in some seasons for guests who want an easier introduction to camping without the full tent-pitching experience. Availability and specification change from year to year, so check current listings on the official site if this is your preferred style of stay, including whether pet-friendly options are on offer.

Which accommodation should you choose?

Accommodation	Best for	Main advantage	Check before booking
Budget caravan	Cost-conscious families	Lower entry price	Included equipment and cleaning
Premium/Watergate caravan	Families wanting more comfort	Better furnishings and space	Exact model and location
Meadow Lodge	Couples or families wanting extra space	More residential feel, private decking	Accessibility and heating
Chestnut House	Large or combined families	Standalone privacy, four bedrooms	Availability and price
Tent pitch	Traditional campers	Flexibility and outdoor experience	Electricity and field rules
Touring pitch	Caravans and motorhomes	Vehicle-friendly, hard-standing options	Hook-up and drainage

Facilities and things to do on site

Oasis Fun Pools

The Oasis Fun Pools are Hendra’s headline attraction: an indoor complex with two pools, waterslides, a river rapid ride, jacuzzi seats, air pads and a range of water features aimed squarely at families. A seasonal outdoor heated pool typically runs from late spring through the end of summer, with sun loungers for warmer days.

Because pool access, sessions and any charges can change between seasons, always check current opening times and whether swim access is included in your accommodation package or booked separately. Some higher-tier lodges have included unlimited swim vouchers in past packages, but this isn’t guaranteed across every booking type.

Does Hendra Holiday Park have a swimming pool? 

Yes, an indoor fun pool complex with slides and a river rapid ride, plus a seasonal outdoor heated pool that generally operates through the warmer months. Check current opening times and whether access is included in your specific accommodation package before you travel.

Children’s activities

On-site activities for children include a play ship, a skate and scooter park, indoor amusements, and indoor soft play at Henry’s Playloft. There’s also Palm Beach Adventure Golf for families wanting something a bit more grown-up-friendly, and younger guests can meet the resident Henry and Henrietta Hippo characters during morning meet-and-greets.

Hendra has also run paid activity sessions such as Segway tours, archery, snorkelling try-outs, mini 4x4s and toddler splash sessions in past seasons, alongside discounted options for surf lessons, fishing trips and sea safaris arranged with local operators. Availability, pricing and age restrictions change regularly, so check the current activity guide rather than assuming a specific session will be running during your stay.

Entertainment

Hendra runs a daytime and evening entertainment programme, including children’s shows, live music, comedy and family cabaret nights at The Venue. If a quiet evening matters to you, ask about accommodation location relative to the entertainment venue when booking, since noise levels naturally drop the further you are from it.

Food and drink

On-site eating options have included the Terrace Bar and Restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a fish and chip takeaway, The Beach House for pizzas and cocktails, and Always Sundae for ice cream made with locally sourced Cornish dairy. There’s also an on-site supermarket for anyone who prefers self-catering some or all of their meals. Advance booking is generally advisable for restaurants during peak weeks, and exact opening hours and menus are best checked on Hendra’s official site close to your travel dates rather than relied upon from an older source.

On-site facility comparison

Facility	Best for	Seasonal or booking considerations
Indoor fun pool	Rainy days and mixed-age families	Check sessions, restrictions and any charges
Outdoor pool	Warm-weather swimming	Seasonal opening, typically late spring to late summer
Soft play (Henry’s Playloft)	Toddlers and younger children	Busy during poor weather
Adventure golf	Families and groups	Check whether booking ahead is needed
The Venue (entertainment)	Evening activities	Noise levels vary by accommodation location
Restaurants and takeaways	All guests	Book ahead in peak weeks

Hendra Holiday Park for camping and caravanning

Camping and touring guests get a genuinely well-equipped setup: 12 fields with a mix of grass, hard-standing and electric hook-up pitches, tarmacked and lit roads through much of the park, water points, washing-up areas and a launderette. It’s a considerable step up in infrastructure from a basic rural campsite, which suits first-time campers who want reassurance that facilities will be close by.

Can you camp at Hendra Holiday Park? Yes, Hendra accepts tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans, with electric hook-up and hard-standing pitches available across its 12 camping and touring fields, subject to current availability.

Practical packing checklist for camping or touring

• A tent or awning suited to changeable Cornish weather
• Waterproof footwear and spare warm layers
• An electric hook-up cable and any adapters you need
• Outdoor chairs and lighting for the evenings
• Dog lead, waste bags and any pet paperwork if travelling with a dog
• Pool clothing and towels for the Oasis Fun Pools
• Beach kit, windbreak, wetsuit or bodyboard, plus a reusable water bottle

Is Hendra Holiday Park dog-friendly?

Hendra offers designated dog-friendly caravans, including options within the premium Watergate range, along with pitches that accept dogs across the camping and touring fields. There’s a dog-walking area on site, and guests should declare pets at the time of booking so the correct accommodation or pitch can be allocated. Restrictions apply in some indoor venues. According to Hendra’s own accessibility information, guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are accepted throughout the park with the correct documentation, while other dogs are generally limited to specific outdoor or conservatory areas of the restaurants rather than full indoor access. Dogs aren’t permitted in the pool complex.

Can dogs go to Hendra Holiday Park? 

Yes, dog-friendly caravans and pitches are available, along with an on-site dog-walking area, but pets are restricted from the pool complex and from most indoor restaurant seating. Always declare a dog when booking and check current pet policies before you travel. Beyond the park, several beaches near Newquay allow dogs year-round or with seasonal restrictions during the busiest summer months, so it’s worth checking individual beach rules if you’re planning day trips with your dog.

Accessibility and inclusive facilities

Hendra publishes a dedicated accessibility statement and is a member of the Sunflower Scheme for hidden disabilities, which trains staff to recognise and support guests with conditions that aren’t immediately visible. The park offers level or ramp access to facilities across the site, and its Kynance caravan is fully accessible, including a wet room. Ramp access has also been fitted to several other holiday homes in areas close to the main facilities. Welcome packs, menus and activity guides are available in large print or as downloads, and staff ask guests to flag accessibility needs before arrival so the most suitable accommodation can be allocated. Rather than describing the whole park as “fully accessible,” it’s more useful to ask specific questions before booking:

Accessibility questions to ask before booking

• Which specific accommodation units have step-free or ramp access?
• Is a wet room or accessible bathroom available in that unit?
• How close is that accommodation to the pools, restaurants and reception?
• What mobility equipment, if any, can the park provide or help arrange?
• Are quiet sessions available at the pool or entertainment venue?

Is Hendra Holiday Park accessible for wheelchair users? Hendra offers a fully accessible caravan (Kynance) with a wet room, plus ramp access to several other holiday homes and level access to facilities across the park. Contact the park directly before booking to confirm the right accommodation and support for your specific needs.

Beaches and attractions near Hendra

Newquay beaches

Newquay is known for its run of golden sand beaches, and Hendra’s location just outside town puts several within easy driving distance:

• Fistral Beach, Newquay’s best-known surf beach, popular with surfers of all levels and home to seasonal surf schools; check current lifeguard cover and tide times before swimming.
• Towan Beach, a central, family-friendly beach close to the town’s shops and cafes.
• Great Western Beach, a sheltered, sandy beach near the harbour, popular with families.
• Tolcarne Beach, quieter than the main beaches, with a beach cafe.
• Lusty Glaze, a private cove-style beach with paid access in season, known for watersports.
• Porth Beach, a family favourite with generally calmer water, good for younger children.
• Watergate Bay, a long, open beach a little further out, popular for surf lessons and coastal walks.

Facilities, dog restrictions, lifeguard seasons and parking vary by beach and by time of year, so check current information, ideally via Visit Cornwall or the RNLI, before heading out, particularly around tide times and water safety.

Family attractions

Beyond the beaches, families staying at Hendra have easy access to Newquay Zoo, Blue Reef Aquarium, Trenance Gardens, Newquay Harbour boat trips and local surf schools. Slightly further afield, the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Camel Creek Family Theme Park and the Bodmin Railway all make for solid full-day trips if you want to see more of Cornwall beyond Newquay itself.

Suggested day-trip planner

Destination	Best for	Weather suitability	Planning note
Newquay beaches	Surfing and swimming	Fair weather	Check tides, surf conditions and parking
Newquay Zoo	Families and wildlife	Mixed weather	Allow several hours
Blue Reef Aquarium	Younger children, rainy days	Poor weather	Check feeding times
Eden Project	Gardens and education	Mixed weather	Book ahead in busy periods
Lost Gardens of Heligan	Gardens and walking	Fair weather	Wear suitable footwear
Camel Creek	Rides and family entertainment	Fair weather	Check seasonal opening

Hendra Holiday Park vs alternatives

Hendra isn’t the only holiday park option near Newquay. Haven’s Perran Sands, Perran View, Trevella Holiday Park, Parkdean’s Crantock Beach site, Porth Beach Holiday Park and Piran Meadows all compete for a similar audience, alongside Newquay’s hotels, self-catering cottages and smaller, simpler campsites. Broadly, Hendra’s strength is the sheer breadth of what’s on site, accommodation types, pools and entertainment, which suits families who want a self-contained resort holiday. Smaller campsites tend to offer a quieter, more low-key atmosphere with fewer facilities and often lower costs, while a hotel or self-catering cottage in central Newquay gives you the strongest access to the town itself, at the cost of on-site entertainment for the kids.

Factor	Hendra	Smaller campsite	Newquay hotel
On-site entertainment	Extensive	Usually limited	Usually limited
Swimming facilities	Strong family focus	Often absent	Variable
Accommodation choice	Caravans, lodges, camping, touring	Mainly pitches	Rooms or apartments
Town-centre access	Just outside Newquay	Variable	Usually strongest
Quiet atmosphere	Depends on field and season	Often stronger	Variable
Pet suitability	Designated options	Often flexible	Highly variable

Precise price comparisons between parks are only meaningful when you compare identical dates, party sizes, accommodation standards and any extra charges , a headline nightly rate rarely tells the whole story, so always check the full basket price on each park’s own booking system before deciding.

Prices, booking and best times to visit

Prices at Hendra, as with most UK holiday parks, follow the school calendar closely. Peak weeks, summer school holidays, half terms and bank holiday weekends carry the highest accommodation and pitch prices and the busiest atmosphere, while shoulder-season stays in spring or early autumn tend to be quieter and more affordable, with the outdoor pool and some seasonal activities potentially unavailable outside the main season.

Beyond the headline accommodation or pitch price, check whether pool access, activities, Wi-Fi, linen and pets carry additional charges, and whether a minimum-stay applies during peak periods. Comparing the complete basket price, not just the advertised nightly rate, gives a far more accurate picture of what a stay will actually cost. Booking directly with Hendra typically gives you the most current information on cancellation and amendment terms, while third-party platforms can sometimes offer competitive headline rates; it’s worth comparing both before committing.

Cost category	What to check
Accommodation	Model, bedrooms, date and party size
Pitch	Electric, hard-standing and vehicle type
Pets	Pet fee, field allocation and restrictions
Activities	Included or pay-to-use
Swimming	Included, discounted or separately charged
Extras	Linen, Wi-Fi, travel cots and cancellation cover

How much does Hendra Holiday Park cost? 

Prices vary considerably by season, accommodation type and party size, with peak-season weeks costing significantly more than shoulder-season stays. Check live pricing on the official site for your exact dates, and factor in extras like pool access, activities and pet fees.

Honest pros and cons

Pros

• A genuinely wide range of accommodation and pitch types, from budget caravans to a standalone house
• Extensive family facilities, including two pool complexes and a full activity programme
• Strong indoor options for wet-weather days, which matters in Cornwall
• Close to Newquay’s beaches and north Cornwall attractions
• Dedicated dog-friendly accommodation and pitches
• Published, detailed accessibility information rather than vague claims
• Stated sustainability initiatives, including solar power and biomass heating for the pools, according to Hendra’s own published information

Cons

• The resort atmosphere may not suit visitors who want genuine peace
• Some facilities and activities may carry extra charges or run on a seasonal basis only
• Pets can’t access all indoor areas, including the pools and most restaurant seating
• Peak-season traffic, queues and busy pools can affect the experience
• Accommodation quality can vary noticeably depending on the model, age and field
• A stay can add up once activities, food and extras are included on top of the base price

Practical first-time visitor guide

If it’s your first stay at Hendra, a little planning goes a long way:

• Pack for changeable weather. Cornwall can deliver sunshine and rain in the same afternoon, so bring layers, waterproofs and pool kit regardless of season.
• Ask about your field when booking. If quiet matters to you, request a pitch or caravan further from the pools and entertainment venue.
• Bring a car. Since Hendra sits just outside Newquay, a car makes beach trips and day excursions far easier than relying on limited local transport.
• Plan a rainy-day option. The indoor Oasis Fun Pools and Henry’s Playloft are the obvious fallback if the forecast turns.
• Check tide times before beach days. Cornish beaches change character dramatically between high and low tide, useful for surfing, less so for building sandcastles.
• Book restaurants ahead in peak weeks, and stock up at the on-site supermarket if you plan to self-cater some meals.
• Confirm arrival and departure times with the current booking terms rather than assuming a standard check-in window.
• Note the nearest medical services for your stay, and keep any relevant emergency numbers to hand- standard advice for any UK holiday, but easy to overlook when you’re excited to arrive.

FAQs

Conclusion

Choose Hendra Holiday Park if you want a facilities-rich family holiday with easy access to Newquay’s beaches and attractions. Choose a smaller campsite instead if peace, simplicity and lower on-site spending matter more than entertainment and pools. Choose a Newquay hotel or self-catering cottage if being right in the town centre, with independent dining on your doorstep, is the priority. Whichever you choose, facilities, prices, dates and policies at any holiday park can change between seasons; always check the official Hendra website for current information before booking.