Five-star fishing retreats
And it turns out you don't even have to venture off the island. British rivers and lakes are full of eligible fish to catch. 'There's variety to suit every angler in the UK — from wild trout in upland streams or hill lochs, to big pike in still waters, or bass along our stunning coastlines,' says Peter Devery from Angling Trust. What's more? Luxury venues around England, Scotland and Wales not only have beautiful accommodation to rest your weary head after a day of wooing trout, but also boast miles of riverbanks available exclusively for hotel guests. You can roll out of bed and on to the beat with these eight fancy fishing venues.
Scotland is a fisherman's paradise. Salmon and trout famously abound in Scottish rivers. And if you want to experience this beautiful country properly you must stay in a castle. Gordon Castle, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, was built in the 1770s by the Duke of Gordon and has the River Spey flowing through the middle of the grounds. Fortunately the castle has received a modern-day internal renovation since then. Now old-school, 18th-century charm blends seamlessly with 21st-century living (wi-fi and all). With ten lavish bedrooms and all the classic Cluedo board hotspots (including a billiard room), this luxury accommodation is available for exclusive hire and comes fully staffed and catered for by the resident chef, who serves locally sourced cuisine. The castle's four beats (of six rods each) are spread over five miles of double-bank fishing and there is a ghillie at each beat to lend a helping hand. Oh, and there's no fear of getting hungry on this fishing trip — the chef will have packed you a lovely picnic lunch.
Per night for up to 18 guests it is £6,400 plus VAT, gordoncastle.co.uk
You might not think that standing knee deep in a far-from-toasty river while sporting waders screams luxury. Well, let me tell you, my lord, that's where you are mistaken. For Candacraig House on the River Don — on which the royal family themselves can be found fishing when at Balmoral — offers the swankiest of services. There is a private chef, concierge, butler and front-of-house staff. This exclusive-use venue sleeps up to 20 guests, has a grand dining room, elegant drawing room and a whisky library. The Don runs through the grounds, meaning there is not only a private lochan and 18 acres of woodland as well as manicured gardens, but also a private stretch of river to cast your flies and catch the famous Scottish salmon.
Prices and availability at celticcastles.com
If you fancy fly fishing with a pro while staying in a grade II* listed castle and dining at a Michelin Guide Chef's Table, then Swinton Estate is the place for you. With over 20,000 acres of land, the estate has not one but two rivers flowing through it. Four miles of single-bank fishing is available on the River Ure, with six miles of double-bank fishing on the River Burn. There are salmon, brown trout and grayling all up for grabs. Marina Gibson, a professional angler and certified Fly Fishing International instructor, is the resident coach at the Northern Fishing School at Swinton Estate and offers lessons at all levels. Swinton Estate has the Park Hotel as well as private cottages and even glamping options. There is also a multitude of swanky restaurants and cafés to try as well as a wellness hub with indoor and outdoor spas.
Hotel rooms from £248 per night; prices for the private cottages vary, swintonestate.com
Ideally located for anglers and amblers alike, this 16th-century former coaching inn overlooks the vast open countryside, with the River Hodder shimmering below. Award-winning food is locally sourced and accompanied by wines curated by the on-site vintner. The rooms are sumptuous and many have views of the river located just a stone's throw away — so close that it would be rude not to make the most of the private fishing. Boasting four rods across seven miles of river containing 14 pools and many an interesting run, this resident-only angling experience will not disappoint. Brown trout, sea trout, salmon and grayling will be awaiting your arrival (along with the ghillie, if you wish).
Prices and availability at innatwhitewell.com
While the beauty of Wales is undeniable — rolling hills, sparkling lakes and nature galore — luxury hotels with private fishing are few and far between. Enter the Lake Country House hotel. It was constructed in the 1840s as a luxury shooting and fishing lodge, and three and a half miles of River Irfon is available for hotel guests' private enjoyment. If that doesn't sound enough, there is also a four-acre trout lake, stocked with brown and rainbow trout (and the odd lost wild grayling). The front of house are on hand for nifty tips to enhance your catching chances — including a comprehensive list of the best flies to use in each season. To top off the stay, the hotel has opulent suites and the fine-dining restaurant utilises the best local produce to replenish you post-fishing.
Prices and availability at lakecountryhouse.co.uk
Situated on the border between Devon and Cornwall, the Endsleigh hotel has a magical setting. In fact it was the Duke of Bedford who selected this exact spot (choosing from the one third of Devon that he owned at the time) to build a home. There are 21 bedrooms, the original panelled dining room and two large drawing rooms that blend a home-away-from-home vibe with a grand aesthetic. The great outdoors is even more impressive. There are 108 acres of formal gardens, with follies and woodlands — and the River Tamar sketching a line through the centre. If you forget appropriate footwear, fret not, there is a boot room full of wellies for guests to wear while the head gardener gives you the grand garden tour. The hotel is a proud member of Endsleigh Fishing Club, which has six beats spread across eight miles of riverbank, so guests can fly fish for sea trout, brown trout, grayling and even salmon (with a ghillie for guidance if you need).
Rooms at Endsleigh from £280 B&B, thepolizzicollection.com
If you were to picture a quintessential Scottish setting, I reckon your imagination would conjure something eerily close to Roxburghe Estates. The approximately 52,000 acres, made up of immaculately manicured gardens, forests, lawns and the River Tweed, are nature's buffet for the eyes. Floors Castle, the oldest inhabited house in Scotland, is the beating heart of the estate. Sadly the castle itself is a family home, so while you can visit to your heart's content, a stay is off the cards. Fortunately the estate has a multitude of holiday homes within the grounds. The Head Gardener's House is a beautiful doll-house-for-grown-ups version of the castle — with a walled garden, elegant drawing room and two bedrooms. You may not be surprised to hear that it was traditionally the home of the head gardener. And it was in 2017 that the current interior design alterations were complete — courtesy of the 10th Duchess of Roxburghe. Two beats (of four rods each) that the estate calls the Upper Floors and Lower Floors have one and a half miles of river each. The Upper Floor possesses 17 pools, giving bank, boat and wading opportunities as well as a traditional stone fishing hut with a log fire. The Lower Floors have double-bank fishing along with nine pools and a large fishing hut with a wood-burning stove.
This self-catering accommodation is let for a minimum of three nights during the off season and seven nights during the peak season. Rates vary from about £950 per week to £2,145 per week in high season, floorscastle.com
Scotland has no shortage of luxury accommodation to match the fantastic fishing. Gleneagles is one of the best-known swanky sports establishments in the UK. Anglers can cast a line in Gleneagle's loch to land a brown trout or reel in Scottish salmon on the River Tay that runs through the grounds. And you don't have to do it alone, with expert instruction from professional guides, beginners can learn the ropes or avid anglers can finesse their fine fishing skills. Then you can flop down on to bed in your lavish bedroom. Each room has been individually designed and inspired by the nature that surrounds it. But before you conk out for the night, you may want to check out one of the many luxury restaurants — from Michelin-starred to casual dining.
Low-season rates start from £395 B&B, with mid-season rates from £600, B&B, based on two sharing and including breakfast, gleneagles.com
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