Chigborough Farm and Fisheries, Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex
CM9 4RE · Chigborough Road, between Heybridge and Little Totham
Specimen Carp and Catfish Lakes With Glamping Near Maldon
A 130 acre farm near the Blackwater Estuary with 30 acres of carp and coarse lakes, 30 acres of trout fly fishing and glamping that includes The Raft, a floating cabin with its own hot tub. May Water holds catfish over 140lb and carp to 42lb.
Serious specimen water and fly fishing, with a family farm day out around it. Chigborough is a big fishery first: May Water's catfish top 140lb and its carp reach 42lb, Scraley Mere has dark carp to 37lb, and there are 30 acres of trout lakes for fly anglers. The glamping sits beside Home Water, and The Raft, a floating two storey cabin with its own hot tub, is the stand-out stay. A cafe, bike hire and a maize maze help keep a family busy.
Good for
- Specimen carp and catfish anglers
- Fly anglers after trout
- Couples booking The Raft
Think twice if
- You want a private peg: the carp lakes are day ticket water
- You want a traditional lodge: the stays are glamping and camping
Book Scraley Mere for a group
Scraley Mere can be booked as a whole lake at weekends for up to eight anglers, with day tickets Monday to Friday.
What a Stay at Chigborough Farm Is Like
Chigborough Farm and Fisheries is a 130 acre farm on Chigborough Road, between Heybridge and Little Totham on the edge of Maldon, close to the Blackwater Estuary and about an hour from London.
The camping and glamping area sits next to Home Water, the largest fly fishing lake. Stays include The Raft, a pine and larch floating cabin for four with a two storey layout, its own hot tub on a separate platform, a private WC and shower and solar lighting, plus the Birdsong safari tent with a hot tub, Grebes Nest and Woodpecker pods, Carpers Cabin, bell tents and pitches. The Black Pig Farm Cafe, bike hire, pottery classes and a dog run are on site.
May Water's Wels catfish top 140lb.
There are 30 acres of coarse and carp lakes and 30 acres of trout lakes. May Water is 14 acres with 35 plus swims, catfish over 140lb and carp to 42lb. Heybridge Mere is three acres of mixed fishing with carp to 30lb, and Scraley Mere is four acres with carp to 37lb.
Written from guest reviews and the venue’s published details. We have not stayed here ourselves.
The Fishing at Chigborough Farm
Three day ticket carp and coarse lakes and 30 acres of trout fly fishing.
Which lake is which
| Lake | Type | Pegs | Size | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May Water | Specimen carp and catfish | 35+ | 14 acres | 3 to 12ft | Catfish to 140lb plus, carp to 42lb, bream, tench, pike |
| Heybridge Mere | Mixed | About 15 | 3 acres | 4 to 7ft | Carp to 30lb, tench, bream, roach, rudd, perch, pike |
| Scraley Mere | Carp | About 12 | 4 acres | Not confirmed | Carp to 37lb |
| Trout lakes | Fly fishing | Not confirmed | 30 acres | Not confirmed | Trout |
Tickets, times and rules
| Day tickets | Adult £15, junior £10; 24 hours £28; weekend £48 |
| Rods | Maximum three, two if sharing |
| Tackle | 15lb plus mainline for carp; no fixed leads; carp care kit required |
| Nets | No keepnets |
| Pike | October to March only |
The Lodges
Glamping, a floating cabin and camping beside Home Water.
What Guests Say
Consistently praised
- Beautiful lakes
- Quiet, cosy lakeside stays
- Plenty to keep children busy
Worth knowing
- One review criticised the campsite facilities
Summarised in our own words from public reviews. Read the reviews on Tripadvisor.
Questions About Chigborough Farm
What are the biggest fish at Chigborough?
May Water holds Wels catfish over 140lb and carp to 42lb. Scraley Mere has carp to 37lb.
Source: chigboroughfarm.co.uk coarse fishing
How much is a day ticket?
£15 for adults and £10 for juniors, £28 for 24 hours and £48 for a weekend.
Source: chigboroughfarm.co.uk coarse fishing
Is there trout fishing?
Yes, 30 acres of fly fishing for trout, including Home Water.
Source: chigboroughfarm.co.uk
Which stays have a hot tub?
The Raft floating cabin and the Birdsong safari tent both have hot tubs.
Source: Canopy and Stars and visitor listings
Getting There
Chigborough Farm, Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex. Postcode CM9 4RE.
Open in Google Maps · Phone 07702 244440