Fishing holidays in the UK

Pick the perfect destination for your fishing break

Nothing beats fishing for reconnecting with nature. Our fishing holiday locations are set with stunning backdrops, from the mighty River Wye in the Forest of Dean to the bountiful waters of Ardgartan Argyll’s Loch Long. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, our Forest Holidays cabins and lodges are ideally placed for some quality fishing this summer.

Scotland - tranquil lochside fishing

Ardgartan Argyll: This is the perfect location for year-round sea fishing on the shores of Loch Long. Expect mackerel from April right up to early September. Near the jetties you can fish for other species including cod, whiting, pollock and conger. If coarse fishing is your preference, there is a small stream with brown trout right next to the cabins. Loch Lomond, a 10 minute drive away, has a large head of pike weighing up to 40lbs, and many other coarse fish. Remember, as with all coarse fishing around the country, you will need a fishing licence.

Strathyre: Right on your door step at Strathyre is Loch Lubnaig, a lovely location for fishing. From May to August, you can fish for salmon which are going upstream from the sea. There are also lots of perch and many other fresh water fish.

North Yorkshire - great for trout, coarse & sea fishing

Cropton & Keldy: This is mainly a trout fishing area with lots of trout farms where you hire a fishing rod and pay for what you catch. This means you can take your catch back to your cabin and cook it! You can also do some fly fishing, using an artificial fly or a rod and reel with bait. Coarse fishing in this area is very good as there are many local ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. The North York Moors website has an excellent guide to fishing spots, including the trout lake at nearby Pickering.

For sea fishing head to Whitby and Scarborough, just half an hour’s drive away. Both offer excellent fishing days, over the wrecks or the rough rocks at sea. There is some excellent rock fishing from the shore all year round. Ask at the local fishing shops for advice on the best areas to fish, staff will be more than willing to help, particularly if you buy your bait from them!

Heart of England - renowned fishing lakes

Sherwood Forest: Here in Nottinghamshire, you'll find mainly coarse fishing with a number of fisheries within 20 minutes’ drive of Sherwood Forest; Clumber Park Fishery, Sherwood Fishery and A1 Pits, a well-known carp fishery. Of course, there is also the River Trent. Renowned for its fishing all around the country, this river has everything: chub, barbell, bream, pike; you name it! You will require a fishing licence and can only fish the river at certain times of the year so check beforehand.

Forest of Dean: Close to the Forest of Dean is the River Wye, probably the best barbell river in the country. The river also has large pike and salmon, the salmon mainly running around the springtime. You can rod and line fish or fly fish.

South of England - head for the coast in Hampshire & Cornwall

Blackwood Forest: Coarse fishing in this area is very good, with some of the best commercial lakes in the country. The well-known Gold Valley, owned by the England international fisherman Will Raison, is only a 35 minute drive away. You also have a number of fly fishing waters around Winchester where you can just turn up for a pleasant hour or two’s fishing. Head to Southampton for a spot of sea fishing, either from the shore or boats.

Deerpark: As you might expect, Cornwall is mainly sea fishing. Boat fishing is very good for all species and shark fishing is especially popular, as the water is slightly warmer down here. There have been some very large sharks caught in these waters. You can also fish for cod, pollock, bass, tope and more.