SY8 4AQ · Featherknowle Farm, a few miles south of Ludlow
Four lodges on a working farm near Ludlow, each looking over a pool with private fishing in front of the lodge. Guests can also fish the other four pools at Froggatts, from a specimen water to match and beginner pools, and Ludlow's restaurants are a short drive away.
A fishery-first stay near one of England's best food towns. Swan and Heron lodges face the Willows Pool, the deepest and wildest water at Froggatts, with carp to 32lb and catfish to 39lb, while Frog and Kingfisher sit on decking over the Leighs Pool. Each lodge has private fishing in front of it and guests can fish the other pools too. It suits an angler with a partner who would rather spend the afternoon in Ludlow.
Pick the lodge by the pool you want to fish
Swan and Heron face the Willows specimen pool; Frog and Kingfisher overlook Leighs Pool, a pleasure water with islands. Book the lodge on the pool that matches your fishing.
Froggatts is a working farm at Ashford Bowdler, a short drive south of Ludlow, with five fishing pools, a farm shop and a coffee shop. The four lodges are set around two of the pools, each with panoramic windows, open plan living, a full kitchen with a dishwasher and washer dryer, and private parking.
Swan and Heron lodges each have two en-suite bedrooms and sleep four, with a private garden and barbecue patio facing the Willows Pool; Swan also has a log burner. Frog and Kingfisher are smaller, with a king-size bedroom each and private decking over the water of Leighs Pool.
Each lodge has private fishing in front of it, and guests are welcome on the other pools too.
Guests describe the site as tranquil and the pools as beautiful and run by a lovely family. The fishing is a real fishery rather than a holiday lake: two match pools where summer weights over 100lb are common, a beginners' pool with F1s and crucians, and the Willows for the bigger fish.
Ludlow is the other half of the trip, with its castle above the River Teme and a long list of restaurants and pubs, and Stokesay Castle is a short drive further on.
Written from guest reviews and the venue’s published details. We have not stayed here ourselves.
Five pools across the farm: a specimen pool, two match pools, a pleasure pool and a beginners' pool. Private fishing in front of each lodge, with guests welcome on the other pools.
| Lake | Type | Pegs | Size | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willows Pool | Specimen | – | – | Deepest pool | Carp 10 to 32lb, catfish to 39lb |
| Leighs Pool | Pleasure, islands | – | – | – | Carp and silver fish |
| Lodge Pool | Match | – | – | – | Carp, bream, tench, roach, chub, barbel |
| Marlpit Pool | Match | – | – | – | Carp, bream, tench, roach, chub, barbel |
| Oak Pool | Beginners | – | – | – | Silver fish, F1s, crucian carp |
| Lodge guests | Private fishing in front of each lodge; welcome on the other pools |
| Opening hours | 8am to 8pm, or dusk if earlier |
| Night fishing | Willows Pool only, for regulars, limited pegs |
| Hooks, rigs and keepnets | Fishery directories list barbless hooks, no fixed rigs, no keepnets and no floating baits; confirm on arrival |
| Matches | Every other Sunday, Wednesdays and Friday evenings |
Four self-catering lodges on two pools, all with panoramic windows, open plan living, a full kitchen and private parking.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews.
Ludlow is a short drive away, with more than enough for the days off the bank.
A medieval fortress above the River Teme, now partly ruined and described as one of the finest medieval ruins in England, once a seat of English government in Wales. Open daily 10am to 5pm, last entry 4:15pm.
Ludlow town centre Plan a visit →A fortified medieval manor house completed by 1291 that has changed very little since, with a timber-framed gatehouse, a tearoom and views of the Welsh border hills.
Craven Arms, north-west of Ludlow Plan a visit →The town's food scene is a good reason for a non-fishing partner to come along.
LudlowYes. There is private fishing in front of each lodge, and guests are welcome to fish the other pools.
Source: froggatts.org.uk Ludlow Lodges
The Willows Pool holds carp from 10lb to 32lb and catfish to 39lb. The match pools regularly produce summer weights over 100lb.
Source: froggatts.org.uk pools page
The pools open 8am to 8pm, or dusk if earlier. Night fishing is offered on the Willows Pool for regulars, with limited pegs, so ask when you book.
Source: froggatts.org.uk pools page
Swan and Heron sleep four in two en-suite bedrooms. Frog and Kingfisher sleep two.
Source: froggatts.org.uk Ludlow Lodges
The venue's lodge page does not say, so ask when booking.
Source: froggatts.org.uk
Featherknowle Farm, Ashford Bowdler, Ludlow, Shropshire. Postcode SY8 4AQ.
Open in Google Maps · Phone 01584 831232
