Whether you’re looking to catch your first carp over 30lbs, or just looking for a new venue to hone your skills this season, there’s no reason to look abroad for new waters. In this article, we’ll look at 10 cracking places to fish for carp in the UK. These are all accessible venues, that are affordable, safe, and most importantly, hold good fish.
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1. FARLOWS LAKE
This gravel pit day ticket lake near Heathrow has produced excellent fish up to 45lbs. With loads of swims and a high density of quality carp, the main lake covers 25 acres and is full of fish-holding structure like snags, islands, and bays.
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There’s something for everyone over at historic Farlows, and the angler has the option of a smaller 5-acre body as well as river and canal access. Management maintains good facilities, providing everything from a hot shower in clean ablutions to a steaming cup of tea over at the cafe.Â
https://www.farlowslake.co.uk/
2. BERNERS HALL FISHERY
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Location: Ongar, Essex
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Known as the ‘home of 30’s’, this 24-acre lake out in Essex is home to some serious specimen carp. Alongside all those 30+ pounders, fish of up to 44lbs are there to be caught. There is a well-stocked tackle shop on-site, as well as 4 car parks and both mens and ladies ablution facilities.
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There are also 2 smaller, but well-stocked lakes, located between the main reservoir and the River Roding, each offering excellent close-range carp angling for fish to over 30lbs.
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https://www.bernershallfishery.com/
3.  Linear Fisheries
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Location: Witney, Oxfordshire
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The Linear Fisheries complex is open all year round and has nine fantastic day ticket waters and a few syndicate lakes as well. This place produces quality fish, like their record mirror which topped 51lb.
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The facilities are top-notch and anglers have access to a well-stocked, on-site bait and tackle shop. They keep other essentials like basic food and toiletries for extended stays and even a comfortable spot for a steaming hot cup of tea. Secure car parks, clean ablutions, drinking water, and porta-loos are also provided.
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https://www.linear-fisheries.co.uk/
4. Old Mill Lakes
Location: Usselby, West Lincolnshire
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The Old Mill Lakes has 4 waters that hold some monster carp, including mirrors to over 55lbs. The lakes have beautiful, tree-lined banks with loads of islands and solid fish-holding structure.
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Clean toilet and shower facilities are provided and for those who’d like to fish in style, the Old Mills fishery offers something special. Imagine watching your lines from a luxurious airconditioned unit with a hot tub set right on the water. That’s right, one of the lakes has just that one swim, which is available for private bookings only.
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5. Westfield Fishery
Location: Marlow, Buckinghamshire
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Westfield Fishery is a lovely little venue out in the countryside of Buckinghamshire. This lake has 12 swims, all of which are accessible by car so you don’t have to lug all your kit too far. The swims are comfortable, and disabled anglers are catered for in this regard, as well as with the quality, clean ablutions on offer. There are also comfortable shepherd’s huts available for hire.
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The lake has some fantastic bottom and float fishing over weed beds, around lily pads and on gravel bars. The venue holds several 30+lb fish and the current record stands at a solid 38lbs. Winter fishing is excellent over at Westfield, and some very reasonable season packages are on offer. Â
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http://westfieldfishery.co.uk/carp-fishing/
6. Thorp Lea Fishery
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Location: Egham, Surrey
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The Thorp Lea Fishery consists of a lovely 18-acre gravel bottom lake in Egham, Surrey. This tree-lined lake has 3 islands and holds some proper carp to over 37lbs. The fish at Thorp Lea tend to feed best around weed patches, making this a great venue to hone your wee-bed tactics.
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This venue is open almost all year round and has 60 swims and onsite refreshments, tackle and secure parking are available. Please note that this is a boilie and pellet only venue.
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http://www.thorpeleafishery.co.uk/
7. Bluebell Lakes
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Location: Oundle, Northamptonshire
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Bluebell Lakes is home to carp up to 59lbs, need we say more? Located in Peterborough, this 5-lake complex has waters from 7 to 20 acres in size, as well about 2 miles of river access to the River Nene which itself holds specimen fish to over 30 lbs.
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The excellent facilities that are provided include an on-site tackle and bait store, cafe, and clean ablutions for both men and women.
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https://www.bluebell-lakes.co.uk/
8. Elphicks Fisheries
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Location: Tonbridge, Kent
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Elphicks Fisheries consists of 7 lakes and is open pretty much all year round, except for a few days in December and January to give the staff a bit of rest. All the lakes produce quality specimen carp, with 3 of their waters holding fish to over 50lbs.
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The all-weather swims are made for comfort, and there is a well-stocked tackle shop and clean toilet facilities available for male, female and anglers with disabilities.
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https://www.elphicks-fisheries.co.uk/
9. Sandhurst Lake
Location: Sandhurst, Berkshire
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This excellent winter venue in Hampshire boasts a stunning 14-acre lake with an incredible average fish weight of over 25lbs and an impressive lake record of 45lb. Sandhurst is a shallow gravel bottomed lake with an average depth of about 5ft and a maximum depth of 10 ft or so.Â
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The fishery features 31 sheltered and private swims on beautiful, wooded banks. Additional facilities include 2 secure car parks, 2 clean ablution blocks and a lovely barbeque area.
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https://www.sandhurstlake.co.uk/
10. Drayton Reservoir
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Location: Abingdon, Oxforshire
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Although it may not have the monster specimens of some of the other venues in this list, when it comes to the numbers of fish, Drayton is hard to beat. This water in Daventry, Northamptonshire has 123 pegs and overnight sessions are allowed with a 24 security patrol for angler safety.
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The venue has lovely tree and reed-lined banks and varies in depth from about 7ft to 30ft at the wall. This is a great late-season fishery that produces fish with an average weight of 15lbs right into December.
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http://www.fisheries.co.uk/drayton/
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