A carp fishing holiday can mean very different things depending on what you want from the trip. For some, it is all about getting away for a few days and fishing somewhere comfortable without dragging the bivvy, bedchair and half the garage with you. For me, it means booking a proper specimen water with accommodation close by, treating it as a short fishing campaign, or getting a bit of fishing in on a family holiday.
The good thing now is that there is far more choice than there used to be. I’ve seen everything from simple fishing huts and pods through to luxury lodges beside well-stocked carp lakes. Some places are clearly aimed at serious anglers, while others are much more family holiday sites where the fishing is a nice extra rather than the whole point of the trip.
If your main priority is staying right on the bank and fishing from your accommodation, have a look at our guide to fishing lodges with private pegs and swims in the UK. These are some of my favourite places to holiday and include reviews of lodges I’ve stayed in and, most importantly, what I caught!
Types of carp fishing holidays
Lakeside lodges
Lakeside lodges are probably the first thing most people think of. These are ideal if you want comfort and convenience, especially if you are travelling with family or want a more relaxing trip. The best ones have either a private peg, a decked fishing area or at least easy access to the main carp lake.
This style of holiday works really well if you want a few mornings and evenings on the rods but do not want the whole trip to feel like a hardcore fishing session. If that sounds more like what you are after, our guide to private fishing lakes with accommodation is also worth a look.
Specimen carp venues with accommodation
This is the type that will appeal most to serious carp anglers. These places are built more around the fishing than the holiday side. The accommodation might be simpler, but the draw is the lake itself and the chance to catch bigger carp on a short break.
Personally, I think these are often the most interesting carp fishing holidays because they keep the focus where it should be. If the lake has a known stock, decent features and fish worth targeting, the trip feels like proper carp fishing rather than just staying somewhere with water nearby.
These are becoming increasingly popular with more fisheries seeing the potential of lodges on the lakes. We have seen RH fishers add some very pricey lodges to some of their lakes, which would give you a great chance of a PB if you like chasing those types of carp.
Pods, huts and glamping
These are getting more common and they make a lot of sense. A pod or hut is a nice middle ground between bivvy fishing and booking a full lodge. You get shelter, somewhere to sleep and usually power and basic facilities, but the trip still feels close to the fishing.
Some are little more than a bivvy replacement, and that is fine if you know that before booking, for example, Baden Hall, where you basically get a shed on the quarry lake. Others are far more comfortable and can be a very good option for short carp sessions, especially in spring and autumn.
Family holiday parks with carp lakes
These are a different thing altogether. They can still make a good carp fishing holiday, but you need to be realistic. The lake is often just one part of a wider holiday park. That means more facilities, more people, and a better fit for mixed-family trips, but usually less of that quiet, focused fishing feel.
There is nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, some of these are perfect if one person wants to fish and everyone else wants a normal holiday. These range from small caravan parks through to massive holiday parks with a choice of lakes like Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire.
Top UK carp fishing holiday lakes and venues to look at
Below are a few examples of venues that stand out for different reasons. I have not tried to turn this into a giant directory on this page. The aim here is to show the kinds of places that make good carp-fishing holidays and why.
Blackthorn Fisheries, Shropshire – Specimen/ Private lake
If you are after a more serious specimen carp holiday, Blackthorn is one of the first places I would look at. It has that proper carp-fishing feel rather than just holiday accommodation next to a lake. The stock looks strong, the setting is excellent, and this is the sort of place that feels built around the fishing. The Facebook gallery shows a number of 40s and 30s from the lake, with a couple closing in on the bog 50lb mark.
For anglers who want a short break with a real chance of decent fish, this looks like one of the better options around. There are 2 lakes at Blacktron with 4 places to stay on the main lake. On the separate, smaller Pines Lake, you get the whole lake to yourself. The lake is newer and, at the time of writing, the carp are small – but there are still a lot of 20s and 30s, and they’re growing fast.
Otter Falls, Devon
Otter Falls looks like a really good middle ground. The fishing seems relaxed and enjoyable, there are several lakes, and it looks like a place that works well as an actual holiday as well. That makes it a strong option for anglers who want carp fishing to be a big part of the trip without it being full-on from start to finish.
Devon is always a popular place for a holiday, Otter Falls is nestled in on a small site that’s perfect for a fishing break.
If you are planning a trip in that part of the country, we also cover more options in
our Devon fishing lodges guide.
High Lodge, Suffolk – Families
High Lodge is the sort of place that suits young families really well. The waters edge lodges with their own fishing pegs are a nice touch, and the fishing looks fun rather than intimidating. It is probably not where I would go if my only aim was to set a new PB, but as a carp-fishing holiday with the family, it ticks a lot of boxes.
I’ve been to High Lodge a few times, the carp are small (2-5lb) but can be caught frequently. The coarse fishing was good with some decent-sized roach getting caught with corn on the float – 1/2 lb size. It’s great for fishing with kids.
Badwell Ash Lodges, Suffolk -Couples
Badwell Ash has always looked like a nice option for couples wanting a quieter fishing break. The private pegs to the side of the lodges are a good feature, and the whole place looks set up for a more relaxed trip. It is the sort of venue where you can enjoy the fishing without it needing to feel like a full campaign session.
This is a couples only site.
Homersfield Lake, Norfolk
This is more serious. If you like the sound of big carp and a venue that feels a cut above the average holiday fishery, Homersfield is the sort of place that gets your attention. It is not one for someone just wanting a casual chuck for a few hours. This looks much more like a proper angler’s trip with good accommodation attached.
You can see more venues in that part of the country in our
Norfolk fishing lodges guide.
Things to check before you book
This is the part that saves disappointment. A lot of places look good at first glance, but the details matter.
- Is the fishing included in the price, or is it extra?
- Can you fish directly from the accommodation, or do you need to walk to another lake?
- Is the lake private to guests or open to day ticket anglers as well?
- What is the actual carp stock, not just the biggest fish?
- Are there any rules around night fishing, bait boats, rod limits or hook patterns?
- Does the venue suit serious carp fishing, casual fishing or a bit of both?
- Is it likely to be quiet, or is it a busy holiday park setting?
That last point is a big one. Pick the right place!
What tackle to take on a carp fishing holiday
This depends on the venue, but one of the nice things about a carp fishing holiday is that you can often travel lighter than you would for a normal session. You usually do not need the full overnight setup, and on some of the smaller holiday lakes a simpler approach is actually the better one.
A flexible rod setup
I would usually check what kind of lake it is before loading up the heavier gear. A lot of holiday carp lakes are not huge, so shorter rods or lighter setups can be more enjoyable if you have them. On decked pegs, a pod can be a better option than banksticks, so that is worth checking in advance as well.
Simple, reliable end tackle
For this sort of trip, I would keep things straightforward. A simple solid bag setup, choice of wafter colours, pellets, corn (Tip: Get this on the shopping delivery when we arrive), and a few reliable hookbaits are often all you need. Unless I knew the lake really well, I would not overcomplicate it. Holiday waters often reward neat, simple fishing more than trying to be too clever.
Unhooking gear and fish care
Even on relaxed holiday lakes, fish care still matters. Unhooking mat, decent net, scales and sling if needed — the usual basics. Some venues are strict on this, quite rightly, so it is worth checking the rules before you go. Some of the better specimen lakes have these for you.
A bait plan that suits the trip
If I were only away for a couple of nights, I would usually keep baiting fairly restrained unless the lake clearly needed more. Short trips are often more about finding the right area and getting quick bites than about building a big campaign. Solid bags, little traps and accurate feeding tend to make more sense than taking half a freezer.
Tip: Bait and bait some more! If you’re going on the trip as part of a holiday, keep the bait going in – especially if you’ve got a private peg and are going out for the day. When we’ve been away for a week, I’ll always bait up a couple of spots in the morning before we go anywhere so they get a free feed while we’re out. Over the course of a week’s holiday, this usually pays dividends.
Are carp fishing holidays worth it?
Yes, definitely — if you book the right one.
At their best they give you the relaxing side of a holiday with enough proper carp fishing to make the trip feel worthwhile. They are also a really good way of fitting fishing into normal life a bit more easily. Not every trip has to mean sleeping under canvas, cooking out of a bag and coming home shattered.
The main thing is choosing a venue that matches what you actually want. If you want a luxury family break with some nice fishing on the side, book that. If you want a serious few days after better carp, go for a venue where the lake is clearly the main attraction.
And if what you really want is to wake up, make a brew and put the rods out from just outside the accommodation, then your next stop should be our page on fishing lodges with private pegs and swims.