This Clowance Estate review shares our honest family experience of a weekend break in Cornwall. From the spacious 3-bed Argel Lodge with hot tub to the beautiful grounds and facilities, here’s what we really thought.

My Honest Clowance Estate Review

We recently stayed at Clowance Estate in Cornwall for a three-night weekend break with our two children, aged 10 and 13.

Living in Newquay, I’ve set myself a little family tradition of booking a weekend break each summer holiday somewhere different in Cornwall. It’s our way of exploring new places close to home and creating lasting memories together. Last summer, we had a short stay in Helston, and this year we decided to go for something a little more special.

As it also happened to be our 10-year wedding anniversary, I wanted a getaway that felt like more of a treat. We still needed family-friendly accommodation as childcare isn’t an option for us, but I hoped to find somewhere with a touch of luxury. That’s when I came across Clowance Estate, which offered self-catering lodge accommodation, beautiful grounds, and the option of a private hot tub.

It looked ideal online — spacious, clean and perfect for a family weekend away. But what would it be like in reality? Here’s my honest Clowance Estate review of the Argel 3 Bed Lodge with Hot Tub, including my thoughts on the accommodation, facilities and grounds, and plenty of reasons why we’re keen to return.

What is Clowance Estate?

Clowance Estate, also known as Clowance Estate and Country Club, is a luxury holiday resort set in 97 acres of landscaped parkland and woodland near Camborne in Cornwall.

At the heart of the estate sits an 18th-century Georgian manor house, once home to the St Aubyn family, with grounds originally shaped by the famous landscape designer Lancelot “Capability” Brown. The historic setting adds so much charm and character to a modern holiday resort.

Today, Clowance offers a wide choice of accommodation. Guests can stay in contemporary lakeside lodges with hot tubs, stylish apartments, coach houses, or even a unique treehouse overlooking the lake. The mix of heritage and modern lodges makes the resort suitable for families, couples and larger groups alike.

Facilities are a big part of the appeal. There’s an indoor heated swimming pool, a gym, spa treatments, a restaurant, and a café bar with lovely views across the lake. Outdoors, you’ll find tennis courts, basketball and badminton courts, mini golf, croquet, a boating lake, woodland walks and plenty of space to relax.

The estate is also ideally located for exploring Cornwall. Its central position means it’s easy to reach both the north and south coasts, as well as popular destinations like St Ives, Penzance, the Eden Project and St Michael’s Mount.

We stayed in an Argel 3 Bed Lodge with a hot tub, which I’ll review in detail, along with my impressions of the estate grounds and facilities.

Clowance Estate: Arrival and Check-In

Before arriving, I made the mistake of looking at some TripAdvisor reviews and saw a few negative comments. It made me worry slightly about what we’d find, but I needn’t have been concerned.

From the moment we arrived, things were well organised. We had been sent several text messages in advance with all the information we needed: the lodge number (125, the middle of a row of three), the key code for the lockbox, maps of the estate, and even links to pre-book the on-site restaurant.

It was really helpful to have everything in one place, and the texts meant I could easily refer back to details whenever needed. You could also reply directly to the texts with any questions if needed, which made communication very simple.

Accessing the lodge was straightforward thanks to the self-check-in system. The key was waiting in the lockbox by the door, so we could settle in before heading over to reception to officially check in.

When we did pop by reception, the staff were very friendly. They explained which facilities we could use and the opening times, and it was good to know that all the courts — tennis, badminton and basketball — were free of charge. You could borrow equipment if needed, though next time we’ll bring our own rackets so we can make more use of them. We simply didn’t have time during this short stay.

The swimming pool was also included, though we didn’t use it this time because our stay was short and we spent both full days exploring nearby towns. It looked very clean and well-maintained, though, and something I’d use on a future visit.

Travelling from Newquay, it took less than an hour to reach Clowance. With check-in at 4pm on Friday and check-out at 10am on Monday, we really only had three evenings at the estate and two full days. This time we chose to use those days exploring Mousehole and Porthleven, eating in the lodge each evening and making the most of the self-catering facilities.

Even with limited time on-site, we did manage a walk around the grounds after arriving, which gave us a taste of just how much Clowance has to offer.

First Impressions of the Argel 3 Bed Lodge with Hot Tub

Stepping into the lodge, I immediately felt relief. Any concerns raised by the mixed reviews online disappeared.

The lodge was spotless, airy, and so spacious. Lodges can sometimes feel a bit cramped, but this one had high ceilings, an open-plan layout and a separate hallway leading to the bedrooms, so it never felt like we were on top of each other. We kept commenting on how big it felt — I think we said it at least ten times!

Compared to other places we’ve stayed, this was by far my favourite. We’ve had breaks in lodges at Bluestone, Forest Holidays and Center Parcs, but Clowance beats them all for space, comfort and value for money.

At £250 per night in the summer holidays, this three-bedroom lodge was so much more affordable than the £400+ per night we’ve previously paid at Center Parcs in a half-term for a smaller two-bedroom lodge. The quality here was better, too.

I was so impressed, I declared right away that we should return and make this our base for future summer breaks exploring southern Cornwall!

What We Loved About the Lodge

• Self-check-in with a lockbox, making arrival easy.
  
• A parking space right outside for convenience.
  
• Spacious entrance hall with room for coats and shoes, plus a bench for sitting down when putting on shoes.

• Large open-plan living space with sofas, fireplace, TV, dining table and a modern kitchen with breakfast bar. Everything was clean, tidy and fully equipped for a self-catering stay.
  
• Big outdoor deck with dining table and chairs, plus a six-seater hot tub. The trees behind the lodge added to the feeling of being surrounded by nature, and although the two neighbouring lodges could see the deck, it still felt quite private.
  
• Fast, free Wi-Fi, which was essential as we had no mobile signal on the estate. It allowed us to work remotely and plan our days out.

A landline phone to contact reception, which felt reassuring. In some lodges elsewhere, we’ve had no mobile signal, patchy Wi-Fi, and no way to contact anyone, which isn’t ideal in an emergency.

• A main bathroom with a bath and shower, which the children used, plus our own ensuite with a powerful shower. I thought we had a good shower at home, but this one was even stronger! It made such a refreshing difference from the weak dribbling eco showers we’ve had in other holiday lodges!

• Temple Spa toiletries were provided, along with soap and plenty of toilet rolls, which was a thoughtful touch.

• Three comfortable bedrooms: one double and two twins. Each had a TV, which the kids loved as it felt like a novelty to watch TV in bed.
  
• Comfortable mattresses and pillows that gave us great sleep. I usually struggle to sleep in a new place, but here I slept well from the first night without even bringing my own pillow.

The three-bedroom layout was perfect for us. Our children, now 10 and 13, are at the stage where they don’t always want to share a room. On this trip, they started off wanting to, but quickly bickered and decided they wanted their own space. Having three bedrooms saved arguments and gave everyone some privacy.

It ticked so many boxes: spacious, comfortable, well-equipped, with excellent showers and beds. It was exactly what we wanted.

What Could Be Improved

Although we loved the lodge, there were a couple of areas where small improvements could make it even better.

The hot tub, while a nice feature which we paid extra to have a lodge with one included, had a strong chlorine smell. At home, we use eco3spa products, which are completely non-toxic, chlorine-free and odourless, so we really noticed the chemicals here. Most people probably wouldn’t be bothered, but it did put us off using it more than once. Next time, we’d probably save some money by booking a lodge without a hot tub.

So far, we’ve never stayed anywhere that uses eco-friendly non-chlorine products in their hot tubs, but I hope more places will make the switch as it’s better for skin and the environment!

A simple privacy wall or screen on one side of the deck next to the hot tub would make a big difference. Our lodge was in a row of three, and from the hot tub, you could be seen from the neighbouring decks. A single screen on the hot tub side of each deck would solve the issue without closing the whole space in.

Finally, some slatted blinds on a couple of the windows would improve privacy. From our kitchen window, I could see directly into a neighbour’s lounge where someone often sat, and I realised they could also see into ours. The same from the other neighbouring kitchen window directly into our living space when I was sitting on one of the sofas. It didn’t ruin the stay, but it did make things feel a little less private, especially when standing at the sink washing up.

None of these points would stop us coming back, but they’re worth mentioning.

Exploring the Grounds

One of the best parts of Clowance is the estate itself. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and walking around felt like exploring a National Trust property!

The manor house looked striking with its ivy-covered walls, surrounded by lawns and manicured gardens. I’m not actually sure what they use the main manor house for today, or if it’s used at all.

We wandered along the woodland trail, around the large lake and even stumbled upon a hidden pond.

Along the way, we found:

• Giant outdoor chess and checkers sets near the manor.
  
• A children’s wooden adventure playground.
  
• A fairy garden and a teddy bear picnic area with carved wooden sculptures.
  
• A 300-year-old tree and palm-lined path.
  
• Wooden bridges, a firepit area with log seating, and seats overlooking the lake, where we could sit and watch the sunset.
  
• Rows of hydrangeas bursting with colour in late summer, and many other plants and trees to admire, including a palm-tree-lined path.

Photos Exploring Clowance Estate Grounds & Gardens:

The variety made exploring the grounds really enjoyable, and it’s something we’d love to spend more time doing on a future visit. It’s a brilliant example of how an old estate and manor can be reimagined into holiday accommodation while still preserving the beauty of the grounds for guests to enjoy.

Facilities at Clowance Estate

The estate has a wide range of facilities for guests, many of which are included in the stay.

We didn’t eat at the restaurant this time, as the online menu didn’t list any vegan options, and we had brought food to cook in the lodge. It may be that they can cater for vegan diets, but we didn’t ask on this occasion.

We did, however, visit the bar, both inside and on the terrace, and enjoyed drinks in the evening sunshine. The bar also had a pool table and even a Lego wall at the entrance, which added to the relaxed, family-friendly feel.

The restaurant and bar are above the main reception, with the swimming pool located opposite. The pool is included in the stay and looked clean and inviting.

There’s also a gym on site, next to the reception area, which we didn’t use during our short break, but is another good option if you’re staying longer. I also saw a couple jogging around the estate, and it makes the perfect place to go for a run on a dry day – we will pack our running gear next time. The spa offers treatments using Temple Spa products, tying in nicely with the toiletries provided in the lodge.

Other activities include disc golf, a putting green, archery, and rowing boats on the lake. With only three nights, we simply didn’t have time to take advantage of them all, but it’s a good reason to return.

Location

Clowance Estate is centrally located in Cornwall, which makes it a great base for exploring both coasts.

We used our two full days to visit Mousehole and Porthleven. Mousehole was unfortunately a washout, but we did explore as much as we could, and I will share our days out and photos in my next blog posts.

Porthleven was somewhere we’d visited before, but that first visit was overshadowed by receiving some difficult personal news on the day. It meant we didn’t fully enjoy the experience or take in the town as much as we wanted to. Returning this time felt important — it gave us the chance to explore with a clear head, make happier memories, and see Porthleven in the way we’d hoped to before.

We had originally planned to go to the Penzance Lido on one of the days, which I’ve been eyeing up for a couple of years, but with heavy rain forecast, we decided to postpone to a drier day.

We’d also planned to visit Penzance, but after getting so drenched in Mousehole, we returned to the lodge to dry off and relax for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

If you’re planning a longer stay, Clowance puts you within easy reach of St Ives, Penzance, the Lizard Peninsula, the Eden Project, and St Michael’s Mount. It’s a practical choice if you want to see a lot of Cornwall, especially the very south, while still coming back to a peaceful and relaxing base each evening.

The Final Word on My Clowance Estate Review

Our stay at Clowance Estate exceeded expectations. From the spacious and comfortable lodge to the beautiful grounds and wide range of facilities, it offered everything we wanted for a special family weekend.

We especially loved the space inside the lodge, the powerful showers, the comfy beds, and the peaceful surroundings. The grounds gave us so much to explore, and the estate felt both relaxing and full of possibilities.

Yes, there are a couple of areas for improvement that are down to our personal preferences, like the hot tub chemicals and privacy, but they didn’t take away from the overall experience. For us, Clowance Estate offered far better value for money than other holiday parks we’ve stayed in, and it’s somewhere we’re already planning to return to.

The holiday management company is called Landal, and I’ve already been checking out their website and other destinations!

It was the perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary while giving the children a fun and memorable end to the summer holidays. Clowance has set the bar high for our family tradition of summer breaks in Cornwall, and I can see it becoming a regular choice for us in years to come.