Looe’s Stonerush Lakes Named UK’s Best Holiday Park for 2026
A Former Fishery Takes the National Crown
Anyone who has driven the lanes between Looe and the A38 will know how quickly the Cornish countryside can swallow a visitor. Tucked away in that patchwork of woodland and farmland is Stonerush Lakes, a luxury holiday resort that has just been crowned Best Holiday Park or Resort at the 2026 Sykes Gem Awards. For a corner of East Cornwall that often plays second fiddle to the big names further west, that is a significant result.
The resort covers 28 acres and is ringed by lakes, mature woodland and carefully landscaped grounds. It began around twenty years ago as a fishery before gradually turning into the holiday destination it is today. Its lodges are spaced at roughly three per acre, and their cedar-clad exteriors are designed to blend into the trees rather than dominate them. Walk the paths in spring or autumn and you will likely spot wildlife, including two resident storks, Henry and Henrietta, who have become something of a local talking point.
The Old Mill Bar and Restaurant, a restored watermill overlooking the water, has recently reopened and gives guests a reason to stay on site for an evening. For residents, the award is a reminder that Cornwall’s appeal extends well beyond its famous coastline. Quieter, inland stays like this one bring visitors into parts of the county they might otherwise never see.
The People Behind the Award
Credit for the win goes first to the team on the ground. Silvano Geranio, owner of Stonerush Lakes Lodges, which forms part of the Charteroak Lodges group, said the award recognised a busy summer and the hard work that goes into running the resort. He singled out staff, several of whom have been with the site for many years, as the reason guests keep returning. For anyone who has worked in hospitality in Cornwall, that kind of long-term commitment is a familiar and valued story.
The Sykes Gem Awards are run by Sykes Holiday Cottages and Forge Holiday Group, whose chief commercial officer, James Shaw, praised the winning parks for their welcoming teams and thoughtful facilities. The scheme first launched in 2017 and draws on a portfolio of more than 25,000 properties across the UK and Ireland. Judges, including Julie Delahaye, Travel Editor at Reach PLC, weighed guest feedback and scores, property quality, occupancy performance and amenities, so the result reflects real guest experience rather than a glossy brochure.
For local businesses, the effect is practical. Holiday parks like this one rely on suppliers, cleaners, maintenance contractors, food producers and tradespeople, and a higher profile tends to bring more bookings across the season. Cafés, pubs, attractions and shops in the Looe area can expect visitors who arrive with high expectations and plenty of spending money. Local firms that want to benefit should consider how they present themselves to the visitors this award is likely to attract.
What Locals Should Know and Watch Next
If you live near Looe, expect the profile of the area to rise over the coming year. More bookings usually mean busier roads, fuller car parks and longer queues at popular spots such as the harbour and the village shops. It is worth planning around peak weekends, particularly during school holidays, and considering whether a stroll along the river or a walk in the woods could replace a trip into town at the busiest times.
Dog owners considering a stay should check accommodation policies carefully before booking, as rules for dogs on site and on beaches vary from one property to another and from one stretch of coast to the next. Cornwall’s beach dog restrictions change seasonally, so check local council guidance before heading out with a pet. If you are looking for dog friendly accommodation, confirm what is allowed in writing rather than assuming.
For a wider day out, it is an easy drive to go to Newquay, roughly ninety minutes away, where Fistral Beach draws surfers and families alike. Visitors who make that trip often combine a few nights in quiet countryside with a coastal day out, and it is a good reminder of how much variety the county offers. Keep an eye on the resort’s future announcements and on Sykes’ next awards cycle, which may bring further changes to the local tourism picture.
Source: Cornish fishery turned luxury holiday park is best in UK
