Johnfowlerholidays Avis 

Staff were friendly and helpful, amazing views. But caravan wasn't that clean upon arrival and not good with mobility if want to visit the beach by foot as very steep. Also no wifi available.

Caravan was lovely clean, beds made up. Negative side was when opened caravan door we faced bins and a car park,in the heat wave bins weren’t ideal location. Also outside bed room window there a street lamp, even with dark curtains light pollution was terrible in master bedroom south bay Brixham

We went to Ruda Holiday Park, Croyde, North Devon for half-term May 2026. Our first time. We booked a Swift Premium Plus, 3 bedrooms Van (6-8 people) for 3 adults and 3 teenagers. The picture of that type of caravan looked luxury and spacious on their advertising media, with a double bed and chest on each side and plenty of room to walk around. In practice, the double bedroom was hideous! When you opened the door (which was installed sideways to save room), you more or less fell on the bed. There was not enough room for 2 people to stand up together or get around the bed - with only 6-8” each side of the bed. And an end wardrobe that wouldn’t open because of lack of space! We thought it was the wrong van, so we went to see the reception on site. Also the fact that a ensuite was supposed to be included. Which turned out to be a toilet and tiny wash basin across the narrow corridor. Reception told us it was correct because it was a NEW Van? So I left it until we came home rather than spoil our break. Since then I have put in a complaint to the relevant people ‘who state they take complaints seriously!’ The complaint was focused on mis-selling sleeping accommodation and toilet facilities. They were slow to respond, but eventually I received a long reply, based on the usual waffle! Saying it states on T&C that things may vary! Which is just a cop out as far as I am concerned. The van was 15 Lundy View.
My question is why advertise a caravan which is far removed from the one you are allocated and pay extra for? The rest of the experience were no complaints.

John Fowler holiday review

Well in my opinion please do not deal with this company
We have a short break booked in August
25 per cent of the holiday is paid
I asked for a small extension [8 days] to make the final balance payment and reason for this was I have sadly suffered a bereavement, and I have had time of work and used all my surplus cash to deal with things such as travel and funeral costs as I am not made of money
I have asked John Fowler for this small extension, and they have cancelled my holiday and what I have paid has gone
I have found them in my opinion very unhelpful and for me the most important thing the one thing we probably need more than ever is a break away from things
Thanks John Fowler your service to me has been great !

We booked a 7 night stay at the south wing in Combe Martin beach. We were aware that they didn’t play bingo every night but did in a couple of occasions through the week but we could use the sister park (5 min car drive up the road) do we weren’t that bothered as we could still access entertainment and bingo should we want to. This is stated on the website. But when we arrived we were told bingo wasn’t played at all and if we wanted to access the other sister park we had to fork out £8 per person for entertainment passes on top of the price we had already paid for the holiday to visit the sister park. We checked in the place stunk of damp. I cleaned round to make it smell better and we settled in a went out for a explore, we came bk and went to bed after 5 minutes of my son being in bed the bed collapsed on him he’s autistic and it frightened him we tried to calm him down and move him beds but he wouldn’t sleep near a bed again and after checking the other beds they were nearly all ready to collapse they were shocking even after being repaired they were very week and if you pressed on them lightly they were bending nearly breaking then the other beds were held together with planks of wood that looked like they were from fencing panels and still not sturdy enough. The kitchen door handles were not connected and my autistic son the handle fell off in his hand and he was locked into the kitchen on his own screaming he couldn’t get out it was a good job I had the back door unlocked so I could get around the clock to get him out. When the maintenance man came out he said that previous maintenance had silliconed the handles that was not allowed, the last night we was there we had no handles at all and I had to shut the kitchen door so my autistic son who now knew there was a door to get out without a good lock on it couldn’t get out we had to go find pliers so I could keep him from getting out and keeping him safe. We had had enough by this time and we checked out at 11.45 on the Monday morning. I have emailed customer care the very day we left and I’ve still not had a reply today.

Widemouth bay site is beyond amazing all staff are amazing entertainment on all day everyday multiple staff all day, plenty of activities like swimming arcade mini golf, park and more, food is delish and prices are reasonable, there is also a beach close by within walking distance,

We have been holidaying at this park for a number of years and always returned to it. However they have now been taken over by John Fowler and our latest experience left a bad taste for us.
We arrived early to be told that our allocated Gold Plus van wasn't ready. When we got the keys at 3pm we eagerly sought out the van. unpacking all our food and finding the Freezer door didn't shut!
There were 2 blue bags of laundry sat in the living room and the outdoor table was messy. There was a trim missing on the inside of the van and the worktop edges were broken as was one of the stools. Also there was a light shade missing.
Further inspection found that the shower rose was held together with Toilet Paper!
We complained to reception and eventually a cleaning team came to rectify the issues. They said that the van hadn't been cleaned and wasn't on their list to be cleaned that day! They called for a maintenance team to fix the shower holder. They scraped the build up of ice that was stopping the freezer door from closing and cleaned the outside table.
When they left they said that they had arranged for a voucher to be made available for us to be collected the next day.
We made further inspections and found that the toilet was unclean and also the bed sheets were soiled. The laundry bags were also still in our way so we made another call to reception and they eventually said that under duress they try to move us to another van. Eventually they rang back and said that there was a van available.
We therefore had to repack everything and collect the keys then move to the new van all of which was eating into our holiday time!
We moved into the new van which at least had been cleaned but noticed there were ants crawling around.
On Saturday we visited the reception to ask about the promised voucher to be told that as we had been moved there would be no voucher!
We mentioned the ant problem and were told a man would come with an Ant box - he never came so we suffered the Ants.
We found the staff friendly and happy but the state of the Caravans are inferior to what we have experienced before so having loved this park we will not be returning again and will look elsewhere for a non John Fowler resort for future Devon holidays.

Stayed in Bronze caravan after Bank Holiday at Ruda, Croyde in North Devon. Stayed with friends in several caravans for 4 nights. On arrival at 4pm there were very large queues but the staff were very courteous and did their best to sort everyone out as quickly as possible. We had Bronze caravans which are the older ones so were a little worn but had been cleaned very well. One of our party complained that the mattress was uncomfortable and the staff immediately delivered a brand new one. Our caravan was missing a chopping board and again it was delivered to caravan before I even got back!! We had a problem with caravan and the grounds maintenance man Chris was so helpful. Another problem with my friend's caravan drain was dealt with promptly and all the staff were very friendly and helpful. We booked the older caravans (which was reflected in the price) so we expected a little wear and tear. Showbar entertainment was fun - a great duo - and the Stripies were great at getting everyone joining in! Overall we had a great time and will be back again soon!

Stayed at St Ives Holiday Park as a family with three different accommodations.
What a complete let down, no swimming pool or children’s park open. No ramp access into clubhouse.
Prices were high, food only on evening and that was expensive and not impressive.
Entertainment was terrible, nothing like it used to be when my children were younger, thought it would be great to take grandchildren to where their parents used to go. Never again.
The park is terrible, no proper footpaths, had to walk over grass and miss the dog poo as you go. As well as brambles everywhere.
Give John Fowler Holidays a wide berth, not worth the money and staff are not very helpful.
We came home early as it was a waste of our time and money being there.

Trelawne manor lacks entertainment for children, children’s park rather dangerous as by a road and not gated off lack of park bits to do. Crazy golf is pointless as not enjoyable swimming was ok but no life guard just regular staff occasionally there. Caravan rooms very small unable to accommodate travel cot wouldn’t go back

Had a lovely time and the staff was so sweet and very welcoming

Worse stay I’ve ever had with Johnfowler (Sandy Glade Holiday Park) through Hoseasons. If you want to ruin your holidays go ahead with them. I booked Easter break (it happens to be my son’s birthday too). They call it Gold Chalet (2 bedroom dirtiest small apartment). The pics uploaded by Hoseasons are not what I was given by Johnfowler (Sandy Glade HP) receptionist. No hot water, no hygiene whatsoever. Toilets / bath / carpet full of dirty hair and I had to (check out) leave one day earlier. I’ll never recommend family holidays over there. I don’t have words to express my feelings here, but hey you (Hoseasons, Johnfowler, Sandy Glade) ruined my son birthday and our family holidays.

I took my 2yr old Grandson on the Tots Break at Sandy Glade recently. It was his first time at a caravan site and we both loved it.
The children’s entertainment which mainly catering for up to 5yr olds was good fun and the team was great.
The Reception staff were really helpful and friendly as with all the staff I had interacted with.
I’d booked a Platinum plus caravan which had decking and was lovely as the weather was good and my Grandson had the freedom of being able to go outside.
To summarise we had a lovely 4 night stay and would definitely consider going again.

Stayed at the Sandy Glade holiday park near Burnham-on-Sea 10 out of 10 for staff friendliness had a fabulous weekend and hats of to Jo George Sophie and Amy at the Chefs corner cafe on site 13 of us had a roast dinner and I have to say outstanding the food was absolutely delicious freshly made and melt in the mouth best I’ve tasted I will be back thank you from Liz C

LLANRHIDIAN HOLIDAY PARK/PURPLE BADGER avoid at all costs, they DO NOT clean the soft play, resulting in a baby getting hold of dirty food left in the soft play- ball pit, which adults cannot get into. The baby in question has a milk allergy and the food left had milk in it. When reported the site manger could not care, he was the rudest man I have ever met and definitely has short man syndrome. 2 follow up complaints have been ignored and told ‘I will not be dealing with this anymore’. AVOID AND DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY

We stayed in a lodge in Ruda. We did not receive a welcome pack or there wasn't a airfryer as listed.
The decking was rotten and the guttering leaking.
Also the doors inside wouldn't stay closed and none of the tv's in the bedrooms worked.
We stayed in number 13.

We stayed at Ruda Holiday Park in August 2025 and were extremely disappointed with both the condition of the accommodation and the way our complaint was handled.

On arrival, the first caravan allocated had a dangerously soft floor which was later confirmed by maintenance as unsafe. We were moved to a second caravan, where the boiler then failed, leaving us without hot water for over 24 hours. As a result, we cut our holiday short.

Issues were raised on site at the time and we then followed up formally after leaving. Despite doing so, we received no meaningful response or resolution from John Fowler Holidays. The lack of communication and ownership after the stay was particularly frustrating.

The location itself is excellent, which made the experience all the more disappointing. Unfortunately, the accommodation standards and the way complaints are handled fell well below what we would reasonably expect, and based on this experience we would be very hesitant to use John Fowler Holidays again.

Lundy Cottage (Ruda)
We have just returned after a nice quiet stay.
It looked liked the property had all new carpets and soft furnishings,lots of the kitchen appliances looked new.
We hope to return .

at Christmas we booked a holiday at what we thought was going to be the best price to brixham south bay .retired looking after my wife on dialysis need the best price....LESS THAN A FEW DAYS LATER THEY DROP THE PRICE . gave them a call explained the situation . NOTHING THEY CAN DO.DONT GET SUCKERED IN LIKE ME THINKING CHRISTMAS DEALS ARE THE BEST . SADLY FOR ME NOT THE CASE . IN MY EXPERIENCE JUST AS GOOD TO LEAVE AS LONG AS YOU DARE....... NOT HAPPY AT THERE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME IN OUR LIFE

Beautiful place but absolutely horrendous accommodation. We had a two bed chalet. When we arrived it was clear it had not been cleaned in a while since it was last used. Thankfully we always bring cleaning supplies on holiday. We found many spider and bug carcasses all around the chalet even on the kitchen counters! The bathroom sealant was full of black mould, the bathroom suite and kitchen were very dated, needed a complete overhaul. The curtains and nets didn’t even fit or properly cover the windows and the nets were cut ragged without care! Worst place I have stayed and we travel around the uk! We will return to Coombe Martin as it’s a beautiful place but will never stay with John Fowler holidays again! We ended up leaving a day early.