Would you like to go fishing?
Fishing is one of the most popular participatory sports in Britain. With coarse fishing on rivers in England and Wales open from mid-June, and with better weather in prospect, summer months are the ideal time to pit your wits against the pike, perch, chub, roach, tench, barbel, trout and carp in our lakes and rivers.
Many Tranquil Parks have their own fishing lakes or have prime fishing spots close by. Whether you’re into competitive angling or simply enjoy relaxing by the water, here’s some fishing information from our peaceful parks around England and Wales exclusively for adults.
Tyddyn Du Touring Park in Conwy have told us about two excellent fishing spots near to them: Graiglwyd Springs Fisheries, North Wales’ premier large trout fishery, and Conwy Water Gardens, which offer three fully stocked coarse fishing lakes, a fully licensed Dutch Pancake House, an aquatic centre and a newly constructed nature walk past ponds, woods and waterfalls.
In Carmarthenshire, South Wales Caravan Park at Llwynifan Farm is just a short walk from the River Morlais. This river is popular for fly-fishing and it flows into the River Loughor in its tidal reach. Please follow these links for information (you will need a rod licence to fish in Wales): Natural Resources Wales, Buying a Fishing Rod Licence and Discover Carmarthenshire (fishing page).
Red Kite Touring Park in mid-Wales has its own fishing pool on site. It’s just three miles away from the Clywedog Dam, where many big fishing competitions are held – see the 2018 events list.
Woodland Springs Touring Park in Devon is just one mile from the River Teign, where brown trout, rainbow trout and salmon are fished in the upper reaches. There’s also brown trout fishing at Fernworthy Reservoir and most of the South West Lakes Trust’s reservoirs are within an hour’s drive of the park.
Bradford Pool (also known as Bradmere Pool)is also close to Woodland Springs Touring Park. Known for its carp fishing, it is almost fully booked over the summer, but can be fished all year. Other locations for carp fishing are nearby at Spires Lakes, and the Duchy of Cornwall’s Dartmoor Fishery continues to be available through the West Country Angling Passport.
Stroud Hill Park in Pidley, Cambridgeshire has a well stocked fishing lake with carp up to 25lb, tench up to 8lb, plus roach, rudd and bream, all of which have been spawning lately. Guests enjoy the peacefulness of the lake which is situated at the top of the park. Fishing costs £5 per day from dawn till dusk and the park offers a money back guarantee if you don’t catch anything, which nobody has claimed so far!
There’s a half acre fishing pond exclusively for guests at Old Oaks Touring and Glamping Park in Somerset. The newly re-stocked pond has 12 fishing platforms where you can try your luck with carp, chub, tench and roach up to 12lbs. Fishing at Old Oaks costs £8 per day, £5 per half day and £39 per week. Find out more.
Lynpool Lake is less than a mile from New Lodge Farm in Northamptonshire. Known as a good venue for carp, the spring-fed lake also has barbel and other species, with the average bag of 70 to 100lbs and fish described as ‘hard fighters’! Day tickets are available from reception priced at £7. Get details.
Plough Lane Caravan Site in Wiltshire is a 30-minute drive from the Cotswold Water Park, where more than 70 of the 150 lakes can be fished. With its clear waters and peaceful locations, this is an ideal spot for both coarse and fly fishing. Day tickets and club membership facilities are available from fisheries and tackle shops on the park. More about angling.
There are two fishing lakes at Back of Beyond Touring Park in Dorset (you’ll need an appropriate fishing licence). Both lakes have been restocked with carp, chub and tench this year. Two nearby rivers, the Hampshire Avon and Dorset Stour, are renowned for some of the best fishing in England, and there are numerous fishing lakes in the local area. See the Back of Beyond website for a full list of lakes and fisheries and where to get tickets.
Angling enthusiasts can enjoy fishing for large trout and pike at Bristol Water Fisheries’ Chew Valley Lake, a few moments’ drive from Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park. The picturesque, 1,200 acre lake is one of the U.K.’s premier fishing venues, producing consistently high catches from its relatively shallow, fertile waters which are restocked with up to 55,000 rainbow and 5,000 brown trout every year.
The trout season opens mid-March to Mid-October, while Pike fishing is available on selected dates through February, October and November. In addition to bank fishing, 32 motorised and row-boats are available to hire for fishing. Holiday, day and half-day permits, each with a permitted ‘take’ of fish are available from Woodford Lodge, at Chew Stoke, one mile from the caravan park. The fishing is impressive – a 14lb 9oz rainbow and a 42lb pike have been landed this season – though there are many more reasons to visit Chew Valley Lake. It’s a significant wildfowl over-wintering and breeding location, there’s a popular cycling trail and the lakeside walks from the caravan park lead to picnic spots and a very popular fish restaurant.
Other Tranquil Parks with fishing on-site or nearby:
Killwerris Touring Park, Cornwall
Wheathill Touring Park. Shropshire
Somers Wood Caravan Park, Warwickshire
Eye Kettleby Lakes Touring Park, Leicestershire
Greendale Farm Caravan and Camping Prk, Rutland
Two Mills Touring Park, Norfolk
The Trotting Mare Caravan Park, near Wrexham
Cherry Tree Springs Touring Park, Lincolnshire
Brookside Country Park
Blue Rose Country Park, East Riding of Yorkshire
Wolds View Touring Park, Lincolnshire
Gelderwood Country Caravan Park, Lancashire
York Caravan Park
Chainbridge Touring Caravan Site, Northumberland