Is 2020 the year of the fishing staycation?

THE nation’s anglers are rushing to book up lakeside ‘staycations’ this summer in what could be the busiest-ever year for UK fishing venues offering accommodation.

With uncertainty still surrounding international travel restrictions, many people have chosen to remain on home soil, and that has meant a surge in bookings at domestic holiday parks catering for anglers.

At Westwood Lakes in Lincolnshire, where there are seven lakes and 31 lodges, the phones have been red-hot. Booking administrator Lyndis Tyrrel tells us:

“We are fully booked from now until November. Since restrictions were lifted it’s been frantic and our phones haven’t stopped ringing.”

The popular site is following Government guidelines, meaning no more than two households can share a lodge, but angling at Westwood remains largely unrestricted. 

The phones have been red-hot at Westwood

One of Britain’s busiest angling-holiday resorts is White Acres in Cornwall. Steve Richards, chief executive of operators Park Dean, says:

“Demand for our holidays is through the roof. We expect to be full over the summer and are experiencing a surge for September and October bookings too.”

White Acres has seen a surge in demand for fishing holidays

It’s a similar story at Cherry Lakes in the Cotswold Water Park, Gloucestershire, which has four lakes and seven lodges. Owner Mike Kirsch says:

“We’ve noticed a huge uptick in people phoning quite late to book a staycation. Because of the sheer number of calls I’ve had to put a notice on the website saying we’re fully booked until November, and I’ve never done that before.” 

Cherry Lakes is a popular spot for carp anglers

Check out Angling Times in the coming weeks for our great guide on Where to Stay & Fish in the UK this season