Waterloo Farm Leisure

The lakes at Waterloo Farm

Waterloo Lake

The original Waterloo fishing lake boasts 35 spacious pegs; ideal for club match bookings and pleasure anglers alike and offers a great variety of fishing, including specimen fishing for the carp which run to more than 25lb here. There’s a good head of mirrors, commons and ghosties plus some true crucian carp, along with tench, chub, barbel, bream and rudd. The current lake barbel record stands at 11lb 2oz here. If you fancy a chance of a big barbel then bag the peg nearest the aerator as the fish often congregate here.

It’s a great day-ticket venue with plenty of space between pegs to ensure you have plenty of water to go at, although not every peg can reach the island which, as you can imagine, is a great feature to fish to if you can. The left-hand side of the lake is very deep, dropping down quickly to 11ft at the back, near pegs 21 and 22. Standard match tactics – pole or waggler – will account for good mixed bags of fish, using corn, luncheon meat, maggots, caster, worms, hemp, and bread but do scale up accordingly if you are after the bigger carp as they can put up a decent fight in the deep water. Regulars say that cheese is a great way to tempt some of the bigger fish as boilies over 12mm are banned. It’s also worth noting that floating baits of any kind are not allowed and neither is dog or cat food. The log cabins, available to book out for your holiday, look over this lake. Day ticket prices are £10 per adult (16-64) or £8 for juniors (12-15) and pensioners (65+), with discounts of £2 for guests staying on site. Afternoon tickets from 2.30pm cost £6.

Wellington Lake

Originally a purpose-built match fishing lake, this was converted into a private lake for fishing holidays back in 2013. Here you will find the fishery’s Wellington Lakeside Pitches, suitable for anglers aged 16 years and above and offering up to two swims per pitch, with 15 extra-large caravan pitches. For those keen on maximising their time on the water during a longer stay, these pitches are very popular as you are right beside the lake. There’s a good head of carp in the 8lb to 15lb class plus a few surprise lumps to keep you entertained, if you have specimens in mind although the lake contains a load of F1 carp to ensure your float keeps going under.

Indeed, many anglers prefer fishing pole or even waggler to get the most from their visit. Just remember to feed sparingly – little and often is the key to success here – using the same baits as above. There’s a ledge which runs right round the lake and then it drops away quite steeply from 3m to 6m in the middle, which is the deepest part, before it shallows up again as you approach the central island – a natural fish-holding feature. As with Waterloo Lake, the aerators seem to attract the barbel, who love the deeply oxygenated water. Again, no floating baits are allowed.

Junior Lake

This is a smaller water with just 12 pegs but has been designed specifically to cater for juniors and beginners, aged from 6 upwards. Youngsters are asked to bring an experienced adult angler with them to help them understand the skills required to catch and safely land fish. With a good mix of species, including common and mirror carp, crucians, tench, chub, bream and roach, along with some great-looking golden tench, it’s a fun place to catch a few fish and hone your abilities.

To add to the element of surprise, though, some of the carp actually run to double figures. That said, the majority of anglers fish a short pole or whip to keep the bites coming. Maggots, caters, worms, soft hooker pellets, corn, bread and meat will all score here. Ticket prices for Junior Lake are £8 for adults or £6 for those under 16.

Waterloo Farm Accommodation

Log cabins

There are two authentic Scandinavian lakeside log cabins available to rent: Kingfisher and Barn Owls. Each boasts a newly refurbished, inviting contemporary décor, with carpeted bedrooms, a new, modern shower in each bathroom plus a complimentary toiletry welcome set. There is a great balcony area for you to enjoy alfresco dining while admiring the views of Waterloo Lake and the surrounding countryside.

Both cabins are self-contained with utilities included such as dishwasher, kettle, toaster, microwave and large fridge-freezer plus an electric hob, oven and grill. All bedding and towels are provided as is a complimentary refreshment pack with a few teas, coffee, milk and sugar sachets to get you started. Each cabin comprises two bedrooms – one double/twin room and an adult bunk room – meaning they can accommodate up to four people. There is a separate laundry room on site, available to hire for £16 a day. Or there is a launderette on Western Avenue just three minutes away.

The Butterfly Lodge

Sleeping two to four people, this luxurious and modern lodge has all the conveniences you could possibly want, is beautifully decorated and furnished, with high-speed fibre internet directly into the lodge, allowing you access to all your digital and streaming requirements while away. There are two sets of double patio doors leading into the luxury lodge. The kitchen is open plan with a built-in microwave, electric fan assisted oven and hob, kettle, four slice toaster, dishwasher and washer/dryer plus a large American double door fridge freezer with ice machine. There is plenty of storage and worktop space and a great breakfast bar/ floating island in the middle so you can spend quality time with your loved ones even when you need to cook. The spacious, open plan living room features a large comfy corner sofa, which can be folded into a double bed for an extra two guests, a curved HD Smart TV and double patio doors leading out onto the roomy veranda.

The unique bedroom has a comfortable double bed with a smart TV mounted on the wall, leading to your very own dressing room with clothes rails, storage space and a dressing table with full length mirror. From the bedroom, another door leads to the large bathroom with a double enclosed shower, toilet, handwashing basin with lighted mirror and shaving dock and a large bath to relax and soak in. You’ll even find a complimentary toiletry welcome pack awaiting you. All towels and linen are provided along with a complimentary refreshment welcome pack to get you started. The lodge includes its own parking space alongside with a ramp access to the large veranda, which has an outside dining table and chair set looking out onto Waterloo Lake and the beautiful surrounding hills.

Caravans & touring

If you have your own accommodation, then Waterloo Farm has four very different caravan pitches available. Each site has been developed with separate intentions in mind, from a small family site to fully serviced, extra-large pitches beside Wellington Lake.

Family Site

Comprising seven fully serviced hard standing pitches and two grass pitches with electric hook up, the family site is close to the Brampton Valley Way access point. They have their own dedicated toilets and shower room and the hard standing pitches are gravel topped to allow for awning pegs. Each can accommodate a large van, awning and vehicle on the hard pitch alone. At the end of the site, there is a turning circle and a chemical disposal point with refuse facilities and fresh water plus an outside washing-up area next to the toilet and shower facilities.

Wellington View

Overlooking the countryside and, more importantly, Wellington Fishing Lake, these were completed in 2013 and offer 24 equally spaced and sized pitches available for rental for the entire year. Set out in three rows of eight, some are close to the toilets and shower blocks for less-abled guests while others are a bit more private away from the main entrance road. Each hard standing pitch has gravel planings on the surface for metal awning pegs, although this surface is a lot harder underneath to allow for a solid base. They are fully serviced with electric hook-up, water, and grey waste drainage, with a grass divide between each pitch. This site is adults only, so this means no children are allowed to visit this site, even if they aren’t staying.

The site is fully serviced, with toilet and shower facilities, ELSAN and a refuse/recycling area. Leveling ramps/stabilising chocks are recommended as there is a slight incline on the pitches for drainage. Water and drainage may require up to 20m of electric cable and up to 20m of drainage hose.

Wellington Lakeside

This a prime location includes 15 extra-large pitches that enable you to drive on without unhooking, reversing or turning, so you can make a quick start to your holiday without the stress of parking. These pitches are extra special as they include two fishing pegs per pitch. Each pitch is set lengthways around Wellington Lake, making it both private and spacious. Fisheries rules and regulations apply to this site, so please read them before arrival as to not disappoint and bring the correct equipment. A valid rod licence is required at all times. You’ll need up to 20m of grey waste pipe and electric cable.

Waterloo View Motorhome Site

This very private and picturesque site overlooks the original Waterloo Lake. There are only three pitches here beside the log cabins, so it can get booked up quite quickly. Each hard standing pitch feature an electricity point, drinking water, and grey waste drainage. There is room for a motorhome and an awning on each pitch.