LE14 2TN · family run for over 30 years on a 150 acre farm
Twelve Scandinavian log cabins on the edge of Melton Mowbray, each with its own private hot tub, with pet-friendly lodges available. Lodge guests fish free across eight lakes in the Leicestershire countryside, including two specimen carp waters and a twelve acre lake that only residents can fish.
A comfortable base with serious fishing attached, not the other way round. Every lodge has its own hot tub, and lodge guests fish free across eight lakes, including a twelve acre water day visitors cannot fish and two specimen carp lakes. The tearoom breakfasts get singled out in reviews. It suits a couple or family where one person wants to fish and everyone wants a proper holiday.
Fish Kingfisher, then move around
Your lodge booking includes Kingfisher Lake: twelve acres, ten pegs, closed to day visitors. Guest reviews also say people who move between waters catch more than those who stay on the lake nearest their cabin.
Eye Kettleby sits on the outskirts of Melton Mowbray, but it feels further out than that. The same family has run the fishery alongside their farm for more than thirty years, and the cabins, lakes and pitches are spread across 150 acres of rolling Leicestershire countryside.
The log cabins are built from solid Scandinavian timber with open-plan living inside, and guests consistently describe them as warm, very clean and very spacious. Each one has its own outdoor hot tub, and reviewers keep making the same two points about it: it is well kept, and it is genuinely private.
Lodge guests fish free, and that includes the one lake on the estate that day visitors never get to fish.
Mornings take no planning. The tearoom serves breakfast and lunch every day, and its breakfasts come up again and again in reviews as excellent and good value. Evenings need a little more thought: the bar does not do evening meals, and some guests found the drinks pricey, so bring supplies or book a table in town.
If you fish, the lodge booking hides its best feature. Kingfisher Lake is the biggest water here at twelve acres, it is closed to day visitors, and it has only ten pegs. The two specimen carp lakes are open to the public: Lake 2 is the original, with willow-lined margins, three underwater islands and a strong head of carp over 20lb, while Parkland is the newest and deepest, up to fifteen feet, with commons and mirrors to 26lb. The guests who catch most tend to move between waters rather than settling on the one closest to their cabin.
If you don't fish, there are walking paths around the estate, good dog walks and plenty of wildlife to watch, and Melton Mowbray, home of the pork pie, is right on the doorstep.
Written from guest reviews and the venue’s published details. We have not stayed here ourselves.
Eight lakes: two specimen carp waters, five mixed coarse lakes and a twelve acre lake reserved for residents. Fishing is free for lodge guests, with membership included.
| Lake | Type | Pegs | Size | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingfisher Lake | Residents only | 10 | 12 acres | 3–10ft | Common, mirror and crucian carp, tench, roach, rudd, bream |
| Lake 2 | Specimen | 28 | 2 acres | 3–8ft | Common and mirror carp over 20lb, bream |
| Parkland Lake | Specimen | 23 | 4.2 acres | to 15ft | Common and mirror carp to 26lb |
| Lake 3 | Mixed coarse | 38 | 1.5 acres | 3–9ft | Crucian, common and mirror carp, bream, tench, roach, rudd, chub |
| Lake 4 | Mixed coarse | 21 | 2 acres | 6–7ft | Crucian, common and mirror carp, bream, tench, roach, rudd, perch |
| Lake 5 | Mixed coarse | 26 | 2 acres | 7–8ft | Crucian, common and mirror carp, bream, specimen perch |
| Lake 6 | Mixed coarse | 16 | 1 acre | 6ft | Crucian, common and mirror carp, bream, tench, roach, rudd |
| Lake 7 | Mixed coarse | 60 | 2 acres | 5–6ft | Crucian, common and mirror carp, bream, tench, chub, roach, rudd |
| Lodge guests | Fish free, membership included, all lakes including Kingfisher |
| Day tickets, Lakes 3 to 7 | £10 one rod, £12 two rods (£7 / £9 concessions) |
| Day tickets, specimen lakes | Lake 2 £13, Parkland £14, two rods only |
| Membership | £15 per person, required for everyone 16 and over |
| Fishing hours | Residents 6am to sunset in summer, 7am to sunset in winter. Day visitors from 8am. No night fishing. |
| Juniors | 15 and under must be with an adult member |
| Hooks and line | Barbless only. No braided mainline; braid hooklengths are fine. |
| Keepnets | Not allowed on any lake |
| Bait | No nuts, including tigers. No live baiting. Groundbait in moderation. |
| Fish care | Wet hands only. Unhooking mats required on the specimen lakes. |
| Peg outside your lodge | Not confirmed |
Twelve log cabins sleeping 2 to 6, plus Woodland View farmhouse for 6 to 8. There are also adults-only glamping pods and an adults-only touring park.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews. Read the reviews on Tripadvisor.
For the days off the bank, and for everyone in the party who didn't come to fish.
Home to the Dukes of Rutland, with a history going back to Norman times, landscaped gardens and long views across the Vale of Belvoir. It closes on some Tuesdays and Wednesdays and for private family events, so check before you drive over.
About 10 to 12 miles north-east of Melton Mowbray, roughly 20 to 25 minutes by car Plan a visit →An Iron Age hillfort on a ridge about 210 metres up. A 1.2 mile self-guided walk takes you inside the old ramparts, and on a clear day the view reaches to Leicester. There is a longer 6.5 mile circular route for a full morning out.
About 7 miles south of Melton Mowbray Plan a visit →Melton Mowbray is the home of the pork pie and one of the main centres of Stilton cheese. This shop on Nottingham Street has been baking since John Dickinson opened it in 1851. Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4:30pm, and closed on Sundays.
8 to 10 Nottingham Street, Melton MowbrayThe largest reservoir in England by surface area, with walking, cycling, fishing and watersports around its shores. A good change of scene for anglers and plenty for everyone else.
In neighbouring RutlandA family theme park in Melton Mowbray with rides and indoor play centres. The obvious answer for a wet afternoon if you have children with you.
Melton MowbrayA 14th century parish church in the middle of Melton Mowbray, known for its tall spire and stained glass. Worth ten minutes while you are in town for pies.
Melton Mowbray town centreYes. Lodge guests fish free with membership included, across all eight lakes. That includes Kingfisher Lake, a twelve acre water reserved for residents.
Source: eyekettlebylakes.com fishing pages
For big carp, try Lake 2 (carp over 20lb, three underwater islands) or Parkland (commons and mirrors to 26lb, up to fifteen feet deep). For a quiet session, Kingfisher is residents only, with ten pegs on twelve acres. For a mixed bag, Lakes 3 to 7 hold crucians, tench, bream, roach and rudd, and Lake 5 has specimen perch.
Source: eyekettlebylakes.com fishing pages
Yes. Day tickets are £10 for one rod or £12 for two on Lakes 3 to 7, £13 on Lake 2 and £14 on Parkland. Everyone 16 and over also needs a £15 membership. Day visitors can fish from 8am. Kingfisher Lake is not open to day visitors.
Source: eyekettlebylakes.com fishing pages
No. Fishing runs until sunset. Lodge guests can start from 6am in summer and 7am in winter.
Source: eyekettlebylakes.com fishing pages
Yes, in selected pet-friendly lodges, and there are good dog walks around the estate. Ask which lodges take dogs when you book.
Source: eyekettlebylakes.com and guest reviews
The tearoom serves breakfast and lunch every day. There are no evening meals at the bar, so plan dinner in the lodge or book somewhere in Melton Mowbray.
Source: guest reviews
Belvoir Castle is about 20 to 25 minutes away, Burrough Hill Country Park has a free hillfort walk about seven miles south of Melton Mowbray, and the town itself is home to the pork pie. Rutland Water and Twinlakes Park are close by too.
Source: belvoircastle.com, leicscountryparks.org.uk, Discover Melton
On the outskirts of Melton Mowbray in the Leicestershire countryside. Postcode LE14 2TN.
Open in Google Maps · Phone 01664 565900
Reception is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 4pm on Sundays.
