84. Fishing in the Cotswolds – A Guide

The Cotswolds is blessed with beautiful places to fish, many in stunning locations.

Bibury Trout Farm, six miles northeast of Cirencester, is one of Britain’s oldest and most attractive trout farms in the centre of what has been described as “the most beautiful village in England”. The trout farm was founded in 1902 by the naturalist Arthur Severn to stock local rivers and streams with the native brown trout. It now covers 15 acres in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Cotswolds, the Coln Valley. Groups, school and coach parties are welcome, and something for everyone can be found in the gift shop. The trout farm is open daily from 8 am, though closing times vary depending on the time of year.

Lemington Lakes in Todenham Road, near Moreton-in-Marsh, is a fishery set in 75 acres of countryside with five lakes. The lakes are usually open from the beginning of March until the end of October.

Many of the best fishing opportunities in the south Cotswolds centre around the Cotswold Water Park, with its system of lakes, which were created over the last 50 years by gravel extraction and filled naturally after work ceased in the early 1970s.

South Cerney Angling Club has its main waters and clubhouse in and around the village of South Cerney, about four miles south of Cirencester in the heart of the Cotswold Water Park. Seven lakes and four river lengths are available to members, with two lakes available to day ticket holders who are always welcome to visit the fully licensed clubhouse.

Watermark Fisheries offer coarse or game fishing at its base on the outskirts of South Cerney, near Cirencester. The fisheries offer some of the finest carp, tench, pike and perch fishing around. Watermark Trout Fisheries are maintained to an extremely high standard and its speciality is producing high quality brown trout.

Also, in the Cotswold Water Park, you will find Wildmoor Waters. This very well-stocked carp fishery offers quality self-catering accommodation in luxury lodges right on the water’s edge. A stay at these lakeside lodges provides the chance to enjoy the beautiful environment, fantastic fishing and abundant wildlife.

Whelford Pools and Fisheries, in Fairford, is one of the top day fisheries in the country, specialising in carp fishing. This family-run day fishery is situated between Cirencester and Lechlade in the beautiful Cotswold countryside. Along with being home to a wealth of large carp, the picturesque lakes contain a variety of other fish, such as tench, roach, perch, pike, and bream.

Ashton Keynes Angling Club, established in 1953, offers some of the finest mixed fishing in the Cotswold Water Park. The club has access to seven gravel pits and several sections of the River Thames. All of its waters offer fishing for carp, pike, tench, bream, perch, and roach. In addition to the members-only waters, the club allows day tickets on Neigh Bridge Country Park.

Horseshoe Lake Fishery is situated at the northern fringe of the market town of Lechlade, on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border. This 62-acre lake, formerly a gravel pit, consists of two central ‘bays’ and is renowned for the quality of its fish. Alongside excellent carp, you will also find bream, tench, roach, rudd, pike and perch.

Lechlade and Bushyleaze Trout Fishery is situated in Burford Road, Lechlade. The fishery is run by Tim Small and his team who love to make anglers feel welcome. The lakes are stocked from trout reared at the fishery. Fishing hours are Monday to Sunday, 8am to dusk.