Holidays | Trevassack Holidays

One Stay at Trevassack Holidays Changed Everything

Katie Chown — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:04:27 +0000

A Place to Breathe: How One Stay at Trevassack Holidays Changed Everything for the Griffiths Family

When Lizzie and Ian Griffiths found themselves between homes during a major renovation, they never expected that a temporary stay at Trevassack Holidays would end up reshaping the course of their family’s life.

The Griffiths are local to Helston and from a family of sailors, but they weren’t coming to Trevassack Lake for a holiday on the water. Instead, they were seeking something far more fundamental: dignity, safety and a chance to feel like a family again.

Their son Tom, now 21, was born with a rare medical condition that means he must be fed through a tube directly into his heart. His immune system is virtually non-existent, making infection a constant and life-threatening risk. On top of this, Tom lives with severe autism, making change incredibly challenging for him.

Until recently, the family’s only way to bathe Tom was in a makeshift paddling pool set up in their living room. It was undignified, unsafe and unsanitary – particularly for someone so vulnerable. Despite their pleas, the system offered no real solution. In fact, it seemed determined to separate them: the only proposed alternative was to move Tom into residential care. But for the Griffiths, that was never an option.

“He’s our son. Sending him away would have broken us,” says Tom's mum, Lizzie.

The battle to keep Tom at home escalated all the way to the top of NHS England. The family fought tirelessly – then the pandemic hit, stalling everything. Finally, they were able to secure a new property through the housing association LiveWest and began transforming the entire ground floor into a bespoke care apartment, complete with space for Tom’s 24 hour care team. But the transition was daunting. Tom hadn’t had a bath since he was four years old and the very idea of hoisting and bathing was alien and frightening.

Then they found Trevassack Holidays.

The family stayed in Lizard House for over a month while their home was being adapted – and for the first time in years, they had space. Real, functional, accessible space. The integrated ceiling track hoist in the bedroom and adjoining wet-room allowed them to help Tom into a proper bath with care, calm and dignity. Using familiar routines – such as playing a favourite film on the iPad – they earned his trust of the new contraption. And once he was in? He didn’t want to get out.

“He absolutely loved it,” Lizzie laughs. “The only problem was getting him to leave the bath!”

The experience gave the family something they’d barely dared hope for: a vision of what life could be like. The facilities at Trevassack became a blueprint for their new home, showing them what really worked. Other so-called accessible options had fallen short – clumsy mobile hoists, non-adapted baths, cramped changing areas – but here, everything was designed with real-world needs in mind. From the integrated ceiling hoist to the wide doorways, the separate carer room to the dog-friendly policy, it all added up to something rare and precious: normality.

“It was life-changing. Actually, it was life-saving.”

Trevassack wasn’t just a temporary stop; it was proof of concept. It gave them the confidence to fight harder, the clarity to plan better and, most of all, a moment to breathe. It was both Tom’s dad’s birthday and his grandmother’s 80th while they were there – two milestones they were able to celebrate as a family, in comfort and togetherness.

They also credit Karen, one of the compassionate site wardens, whose background in care meant she instinctively understood what the family needed.

“Nothing was too much trouble,” Lizzie says. “She made it feel safe. That means everything when you’re constantly fighting for basic rights.”

Today, Tom is rewriting the rules. He’s now the longest-surviving patient of his condition in the South West, having defied his original prognosis of just seven years. He’s living proof that with the right support, people can not only survive – they can thrive.

“Tom is our reason for everything,” his mother says. “We took his photo to every meeting, to remind people he’s not a number. He’s a son, a brother, a person. And he deserves to live as such.”

The Griffiths’ story is one of love, persistence and transformation – and Trevassack Holidays was there at a pivotal moment. It wasn’t just a place to stay. It was a bridge between what they’d endured and what they hoped to build. A safe harbour during the storm.

They haven’t had a real holiday in over 21 years. But for those few weeks at Trevassack, they found peace. Space. Dignity. And a renewed belief in what’s possible.

From all of us at Trevassack Holidays – thank you, Griffiths family, for letting us be a part of your journey.

Trevassack Holidays is a Gold award winner for Accessibility and Inclusivity, a not-for-profit venture owned by Children’s Sailing Trust.

Christmas in Bradbury House

Katie Chown — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:37:31 +0000

Christmas & New Year at Bradbury House, Trevassack Lake

A Festive Escape in the Heart of Cornish Countryside

December in Cornwall is a special kind of magic; crisp air, starry skies and quiet moments by the water. If you’re dreaming of a Christmas or New Year getaway that blends comfort, accessibility and breath-taking scenery, Bradbury House at Trevassack Lake is the perfect choice.

This three-bedroom, self-catering holiday cottage sleeps up to six guests and sits right on the water’s edge. Its vaulted ceilings, underfloor heating and full-height windows make it a bright yet cosy space for festive gatherings.

Thoughtfully Designed for Everyone

Bradbury House is more than just a cottage – it’s designed with accessibility in mind, that means everyone can enjoy a stress-free, inclusive Christmas break together:

Step-free access and wide doorways
Wet-room style bathrooms with optional grab rails
Electric profiling beds and ceiling hoist systems available
Adjustable kitchen counters for ease of use
Open-plan living space, ideal for families and carers

Christmas Morning by the Lake

Picture arriving just before Christmas, stepping inside to a warm, light-filled living area and taking in the view over Trevassack Lake. Your beds are made, the kitchen is ready for a festive feast and, outside on the decking, the private hot tub is waiting for a starlit soak.

Christmas Day

Cook up your favourite Christmas dinner in the fully equipped kitchen, then gather together in the open-plan lounge to share gifts and festive games.

Boxing Day

Take a bracing winter walk along the coastline of the Lizard Peninsula or stay cosy with hot chocolate and board games.

New Year's Eve

Toast midnight from the hot tub under a clear Cornish sky, then start the new year with a peaceful morning by the lake.

Why Choose Bradbury House for Your Festive Break

Spacious and Modern – plenty of room for up to six guests
Fully Accessible – designed for guests with mobility needs
Cosy and Warm – underfloor heating and plenty of space to bring a tree
Unbeatable Views – wake up to the water every day
Private Hot Tub – enjoy winter stargazing in comfort

Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Stay

Book early to secure your preferred festive dates

Arrange for a grocery delivery to stock up for Christmas dinner

Pack extra blankets and warm clothes for those coastal walks

Consider pre-booking accessible equipment you might need

Make This Christmas or New Year One to Remember

Bradbury House isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a place to make memories. Whether you’re looking for a cosy family Christmas, a peaceful escape, or an inclusive space where everyone can celebrate together, Trevassack Lake is the perfect backdrop.

Book your festive stay now and make this year’s holiday season truly unforgettable.

I don’t feel disabled here, said David | A Trevassack Review

Katie Chown — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:59:57 +0000

A holiday in Bradbury House

I’m Babs and I’m tired, I am always tired, exhausted really.

I am married to the love of my life, David. We aren’t ancient, early 60’s, too young in fact to be President of the USA. We used to snow ski, David was always the brave one, black runs and whizzing down the slopes – David water-skied competitively. In previous years he used to sail too, and parachuted from planes – he has no fear (well, except snakes).

David had an amazing, high powered job, and is very clever indeed. He had a lot of staff reporting to him, they all looked up to him, he was a really lovely person to work for. He now has primary progressive MS, diagnosed about 12 years ago and is totally wheelchair bound.

Nobody sees him now, I mean, sees him as a person. They speak to me and ask me the questions… ‘would he like sugar?’ ‘Would he like to do this or that?’ David has more intelligence in his little finger than I have at all. Yet, they don’t see him. They see the wheelchair.

I am tired to the point, where I sit and cry. I have lost myself. I used to be fun, look glam a lot of the time, hosting dinner parties for 30 people was easy. I can barely cook dinner for us now. We haven’t had a holiday for so many years and I am running on empty. David seems to have turned into a recluse. We stay at home nearly all of the time, with the odd visit to a local pub for dinner that we know is wheelchair accessible.

It is so incredibly difficult to go anywhere in this wheelchair-unfriendly world. Do you know it took me 6 weeks to find our first ever holiday in years?

So many hotels, cottages etc say ‘wheelchair accessible’, when what they mean is there is a bedroom on the ground floor. Sure, there is a small step up to the narrow front door, the shower is over a bath, there are no grab rails, wet room and heaven forbid there may be a hoist. Truly, if you are a wheelchair-user you aren’t a second-class citizen, you are probably third class at best.

However, David is so positive. He has never, ever complained about having MS and no longer being able to walk or even go for a pee (he has a catheter in situ. TMI, sorry).

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade, or a good gin and tonic

David

He says ‘the best bit of having MS’ (yes, there is a best bit) is that I never know if he has had too much to drink! That is David.

I feel I am letting him down. I am boring and dull and grumpy. I literally do everything for him, as well as everything in the house, from DIY, shelf fitting, boarding a loft, building raised beds, as well as the mundane day to day things. I am so tired I get short with him; I grump and groan, he doesn’t deserve that, but I am just so tired.

I get no help at all. Just me.

Summer is coming, so that will be better – we can sit outside and BBQ and enjoy the view. The thing is, I want David to have the fun he deserves, to do things that able-bodied people do. I may as well hope for a lottery win.

He doesn’t complain though. He constantly says thank you for everything I do, but I know he would do the same for me with a bigger smile on his face.

When I wake in the morning, it’s like that film Groundhog Day. Every day is going to be the same – we don’t have a very large space in our rented bungalow, so I have an ambiturn which is like a railway porters trolley. I use this to get him out of bed, dressed, showered, take him to the loo etc.

We have a young Labrador, that we hope to train as an assistance dog, but he is currently at the stage of ‘wild child’ who loves everyone. So, again this year I tried to find a holiday, which is wheelchair accessible and now dog-friendly too…

Six weeks later, I gave up. It is just so difficult – you use filters on holiday firms’ websites, and they are useless – some don’t even include the word wheelchair!

I cried, David encouraged me, and said we could find somewhere, and that he doesn’t HAVE to have a shower for the week we are away, if there are no facilities, we can just make the best of it…

One morning I was checking what real people were doing on Facebook and I saw the Trevassack page. Well, I couldn’t quite believe my eyes. I felt sure that the photos must be misleading. Grand Designs style houses around a lake, totally disabled-friendly (and I mean friendly) and…water sports for wheelchair-users. Come on, this is a joke right?

We booked.

They day we arrived; I think we said WOW so many times.

The waterside lodge alone, was just stunning – in no way, shape or form, did it resemble the normal, institutionalised disability facility. You had to look hard for the hints.

The building was beautiful inside and out, like an Ideal Home exhibition for the best of what a disabled person should have.

We could not believe it.

The ease of use, the design and style…if someone had said design your own dream accessible home, this was surely it.

Then, we met the staff. Well calling these lovely people staff is insulting – they were like friends or family, well better really, as nothing was too much trouble.

The water sports were a revelation! Not only did we simple love sitting on the deck watching, David also only read half a page of his book! We actually went out on the lake with our mad Labrador, and David in his wheelchair. I could have cried this time from joy.

I indulged in kayaking too and for the first time in years I floated around, relaxed.

Every single part of Trevassack caters for disabled people. We could go for a stroll, go out on the lake, eat in the wonderful bistro and:

WE DIDN’T FEEL DIFFERENT TO ‘NORMAL’ PEOPLE. Can you imagine how that feels?

Babs

One morning David said, “shall I go to the Bistro and bring back coffees?”, because he could, and it was so easy to do.

We could feel ourselves coming back to life as the week went on. It was like being given a second chance at life, and I know that sounds a bit daft, but live our lives for a month, then you will get it.

On the Thursday, I think it was, David turned to me and said, “do you know, I don’t feel disabled here”.

That sums is up.

We learned a lot; how some different equipment can help, for example, so we have a mobile hoist arriving in two days, and we learned to relax and have fun.

Now we are home, I am different. I have found me, I am smiling a lot. I think David must think I have a hip flask tucked in my jeans!

Trevassack has really been a life saver.

From dark days, of thinking what is the point of life, to now looking ahead. We are looking to book at least another visit this year, and I see it is available on my birthday, but that is only three weeks away… is that too soon?!

Thank you to our friends at Trevassack – I really don’t think you know what a total difference you have made to us.

Babs, David and Toby

Lakeside Holidays in Calcite, Quartz & Serpentine

Katie Chown — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 10:07:24 +0000

We all want to be beside the seaside! Oh we all want to be beside the sea! But we’ve a little secret spot we think you might prefer because if you haven’t heard, lakeside is the new seaside…

Here at Trevassack we’ve all the benefits of being by the sea with none of the downsides – it’s tranquil here, the water is fresh and calm, not salty and tidal, there’s a waterside cafe with no sand to get in your sandwiches, and your luxury accommodation is but a stone’s throw away.

Take a look at our purpose-built ‘cabins’ – spacious, light and modern with all the mod-cons including their very own hot tubs on a great big deck. Surrounded by greenery with large lawns and onsite watersports facilities, these are the perfect places to come for a family holiday but equally a romantic getaway for a long weekend or weeks on end!

Let’s take you on a tour:

Serpentine

Tucked away in the far left corner of our site, Serpentine is the most private of the cabins, surrounded by wildflowers and enclosed with wooden fencing so you can bring your dog (and children!).

There’s plenty of lawn and deck for outside activities in the safety of your space, garden table and chairs for al fresco dining and a very tempting hot tub sunk slightly lower than normal to aid access.

Inside, the open plan living space features a plush kingsize bed, John Lewis sofas with a smart TV, a well-equipped kitchen-area with dining-table for inside eating; a wide sliding door leads to the family bedroom with its double bed bunk and there is also a large wet-room.

The floor to ceiling doors slide wide open for that holiday vibe of inside/outside living.

Find out more >

Quartz

This one sits centrally at the back of our site, affording it a lovely view of the lake down below. It has a large open garden to the front with a full width deck housing the sunken hot tub, with a backdrop of the wildlife and greenery of our rural location.

Inside there is lots of room for a family of five or a couple’s getaway, with floor-to ceiling windows and doors making the most of that view to the water – spectacular as the sun goes down. You’ll want for nothing in terms of facilities with a smart TV, John Lewis sofas, dishwasher and a full inventory. The wet-room is big enough for a wheelchair user and all the floors are level, even when moving inside to outside, deck to pathway.

Throw open all those great big glass doors and immerse yourself in that al fresco holiday way of life we’re known for here in Cornwall.

Find out more >

Calcite

Set over to the right-hand corner of our site, Calcite has lovely glimpses of the lake from its large, enclosed garden as it is slightly closer to the waterside, but still tucked away from the public. Perfect for families with four-legged friends, there is enough grass to run around on and a full-width deck complete with sunken hot tub. From the deck you can also look sideways over the surrounding countryside of our rural Cornish location.

The inside is smart and modern with everything you need to enjoy a holiday home-from-home; a full inventory, dishwasher, smart TV and plush beds as well as a large wet-room useful for those with limited mobility. Speaking of which, everything is on one level from inside to outside and around the site – there are no steps here!

Keep yourself to yourself in your very own corner of Trevassack or enjoy brunch at the lakeside cafe – you can even book some water activities while you’re here with 15% discount.

Find out more >

Our cabin holiday for two at Trevassack

Katie Chown — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 08:25:55 +0000

“Arriving in the middle of the countryside, down a tree-lined lane where sunlight dappled through the leaves, I was already feeling relaxed. Entry through the coded barrier was simple and opened us up to the view; driving down towards the sparkling still waters of Trevassack Lake we stopped a moment at the waterfront to appreciate the reality of the place.

We had booked Quartz, straight up the slope from the water affording us a backseat view of the activities below, but neatly tucked far enough away from the action. When we tore our gaze away from the location and set foot through the doors of our holiday accommodation, first impressions were surprise at the amount of space and light – a cabin is often snug and cosy but this is a good 30ft long and 20ft deep! Plenty of space for everyone with level access throughout and glorious views through the floor to ceiling glazing. We were tired from the drive so settled down quickly for a cosy night in before remembering – there’s a hot tub on our deck! It got good use – sipping champers under the stars is what a luxury holiday is all about, after all.

It was such a treat to be able to wander down to the waterside café in the morning for a lazy, indulgent brunch with frothy coffees as we watched the beautiful birdlife flitting around the lake. We really wished we could stay longer – we even had our first go on a paddleboard, the still, fresh and (most importantly) supervised waters being the perfect place for us novices to dip a toe. We left wanting for nothing except to stay please, just one more day? We will be back for some more #cabinlife!”

Steve and Katie, April 22

Steve and Katie stayed at Quartz Cabin, one of our three luxurious and spacious, converted shipping containers that have been fitted out to sleep up to a family of five (one kingsize bed and one double with bunk overhead) or a romantic/adventure couples’ holiday as above.

Quartz has the open frontage for a lovely view of the lake from the sofa, bed or your hot tub, the other two (Serpentine and Calcite) have large fenced gardens and are pet-friendly so take your pick of which suits you and your loved ones best for a lakeside holiday in Cornwall.

View Quartz Cabin >

Mountain Top Moments in the Sunday Times

Katie Chown — Tue, 10 May 2022 08:43:41 +0000

We’re not crying, honest!

Ok, so we did get emotional when reading the review David Hutt wrote following his stay at Clare Milne House with his family early in 2022.

Everyone at Children’s Sailing Trust has worked hard to bring together the new offering here at Trevassack Lake, making family holidays truly accessible for all ages and abilities so reading David’s words and the effect it had on his family is incredibly rewarding.

David and his wife Gill have three wonderful children; their eldest son Ruben is 12, middle boy Samuel is 8 and daughter Ruby just 3 – an outdoorsy family looking for the opportunity to holiday together in a place that caters for Samuel’s needs as well as everyone else’s. Samuel has full body cerebral palsy requiring 24 hour care so the practicalities of a stay away from home, let alone one involving outdoor activities and watersports, take some considering.

“It’s hard to express just how rewarding it is to achieve a holiday when your circumstances are like ours. It gave the whole family such a lift.”

David Hutt Tweet

We pride ourselves on welcoming all, regardless of age or ability and feel somewhat overwhelmed that we got so much right for the Hutt family. The impact these kind of facilities can have on people are at the core of our charity work; Trevassack Holidays is a not-for-profit venture that aims to fund the work of our parent company, Children’s Sailing Trust.

The CST subsidises opportunities for disadvantaged young people to get out on the water – something often taken for granted when you live close to the sea. But as one of the most impoverished areas of the country, many children never get the chance to experience the life-affirming freedom felt when on the water.

To be one of the only watersports holiday destinations in the UK that caters to accessible needs to such a level makes us extremely proud – and the impact is what gets us out of bed each morning;

"The best analogy is climbing a mountain: you reach the top, and the views and the camaraderie are just so much sweeter for what you’ve overcome to get there. For us, this holiday was one of those mountain-top moments."

David Hutt Tweet

If you haven’t read David’s experience of his family holiday in Cornwall here at Trevassack Holidays, click on the image: