Burton Farm Fishery

Burton Farm Fishery combines a substantial coarse angling complex with a growing leisure offer that includes a busy café, open water swimming and occasional wild camping, creating a multi‑use site that appeals to different types of visitors while still retaining a focus on fishing.

For anglers, the main draw is the network of lakes set within fields and woodland, providing a mix of peaceful pegs and more social areas close to the hub of activity. The fishery is known for well‑stocked waters holding a variety of species, with silver fish and carp reported into the low twenties, alongside bream, roach, chub, perch and notably large gudgeon. This variety suits both pleasure anglers looking for consistent action and more focused carp anglers who want a realistic chance of double‑figure fish without needing specialist tactics. The setting, with tree‑lined banks and views across several pools, supports a relaxed atmosphere that many regulars appreciate during longer sessions.

Several visitors describe sessions where the fishing has been almost continuous, with “a fish a cast” being a realistic expectation on the better days, particularly when targeting silvers on appropriate tackle. Catches including carp between around 9 lb and 16 lb are mentioned over multi‑day trips, suggesting the venue offers rewarding coarse fishing without the extreme pressure of some big‑carp waters. For anglers who prefer variety rather than chasing one specimen fish, the balance of species here can be a strong selling point. This makes Burton Farm Fishery an attractive option for anglers introducing friends or family to the sport, because consistent bites help keep newcomers engaged.

The layout of multiple lakes means the fishery can cater for different styles of angling, from simple pole or waggler fishing for roach and bream through to more traditional carp fishing with heavier tackle and more robust bivvy setups. Anglers report that the quality of fish is high, with many commenting on their condition and appearance, which suggests regular stocking and careful management of stock health. For those who enjoy float fishing, the abundance of silver fish provides the chance to build respectable bags across a session, while the presence of better‑sized carp offers the prospect of a surprise battle on light gear. The mixture of features around the lakes—reed beds, islands and marginal cover—adds some tactical interest, rewarding anglers who think about presentation and feeding patterns.

In addition to day‑ticket fishing, Burton Farm Fishery has become known to some visitors for its wild camping offering, with pitches that allow campers to set up close to the water’s edge for a more immersive experience. This type of camping is intentionally basic, with facilities centred on porta loos and an outdoor shower with an open top, plus allowance for fires and barbecues where appropriate. For anglers and campers who value a more rustic stay, this can be a positive feature, delivering a genuine back‑to‑nature feel and a sense of freedom that is not always available on more commercial touring sites. However, those expecting full campsite amenities can find the limited facilities challenging, and it is important for potential visitors to understand that this is deliberately positioned as “wild” rather than luxury camping.

The café on site has developed a strong identity of its own, operating as Burton Farm Café and attracting both anglers and non‑anglers with its menu and lakeside position. Guests highlight hearty breakfasts, jacket potatoes, sandwiches and homemade cakes, with some meals described as generous and good value when set against the quality of ingredients. Hot drinks, including well‑received coffee options, are a regular point of praise, which can be particularly appealing for anglers arriving early or staying through cooler weather. The café also offers Sunday lunches and seasonal specials that bring in group bookings, making it a social focal point for friends and families as well as visiting anglers.

One distinctive element of the café environment is the presence of free‑roaming pygmy goats, which are frequently mentioned in visitor feedback as a quirky and memorable feature. Guests describe goats relaxing near or even on outside tables, sharing space with ducks and views over the water, which creates a relaxed, slightly unconventional lakeside atmosphere that many people find charming and photogenic. For families with children or visitors who enjoy a more informal countryside feel, this can be a real highlight and adds another reason to visit beyond the fishing alone. That said, those who prefer a very formal or strictly controlled dining environment may find the presence of animals around outside seating less appealing, so expectations should be set accordingly.

Customer service at Burton Farm Fishery and the café receives a mixture of very positive comments and some sharper criticism, leading to an overall picture that is more nuanced than a simple “good” or “bad”. Many anglers and café customers talk about being made to feel welcome, mentioning staff who take time to chat, check that guests are comfortable and even go out of their way to prepare food outside normal arrangements when possible. There are reports of staff helping groups with additional needs, families struggling with vehicle issues, and regulars who value the familiarity and friendliness of the team. These experiences contribute to a loyal repeat customer base and help establish the fishery as a place where visitors can feel known rather than anonymous.

On the other hand, some reviews highlight occasions where interactions have felt abrupt or confrontational, particularly around rules, timing or expectations at busy periods. A minority of visitors describe management as overly strict or intense, using strong language to emphasise that their experience was negatively affected by the tone of communication rather than the product itself. There are also comments about orders being mixed up or arriving at different times, with some guests feeling that the café service can appear disorganised when it is under pressure. These accounts suggest that while many customers encounter a friendly, relaxed team, others have experienced inconsistencies in service that potential visitors may wish to be aware of, especially when planning group trips or visits at peak times.

From a practical perspective, access to the site is mentioned repeatedly as an important consideration. The approach road is described as rough and potholed, which can be uncomfortable for some vehicles and may be off‑putting for those unfamiliar with rural tracks. For anglers bringing substantial tackle, bivvies and bait, the ability to drive relatively close to the lakeside is a bonus, but visitors should be prepared for slower driving on the final stretch and may want to allow extra time when planning arrival. Once on site, there is plenty of parking serving the fishery, the café and the swimming area, helping to keep the complex functional even when several activities are running at the same time.

Recent developments have seen a shift in emphasis in parts of the venue, with some reports suggesting that certain lakes traditionally used for day ticket carp fishing are being repurposed or managed alongside open water swimming. This creates opportunities for a wider audience, including paddle‑boarders and cold‑water swimmers who enjoy the scenic surroundings and café facilities after time in the water. For dedicated anglers, however, it may mean that availability on particular waters changes over time, and that the balance between quiet fishing and other water‑based activities continues to evolve. Prospective visitors who are primarily interested in coarse fishing lakes may wish to check how the current mix of activities aligns with their expectations before travelling.

The atmosphere across the complex is often described as tranquil and scenic, with woodland and fields creating a sense of being away from day‑to‑day life while still being reasonably accessible. Anglers who value peace can usually find pegs that feel secluded, particularly around the more mature pools, while those who enjoy a bit of social contact may choose spots closer to the café and central facilities. For families, the combination of waterside walks, wildlife, goats and the café can make a day out that appeals to both anglers and non‑anglers, although care is always needed around water when visiting with children.

From the perspective of angling‑focused customers, Burton Farm Fishery offers several clear strengths: varied and productive fishing lakes, a scenic setting, and the convenience of on‑site food and drink, all supported by a team that many guests experience as friendly and hands‑on. The option for wild camping and the presence of open water swimming add further layers that will suit some visitors very well, particularly those looking to combine coarse fishing with other outdoor pursuits. On the less positive side, the intentionally basic nature of some facilities, the condition of the access track, and occasional reports of inconsistent service or tense interactions are points that potential visitors may wish to weigh when deciding whether this is the right venue for them.

Ultimately, Burton Farm Fishery stands out as a countryside complex where fishing tackle can be put to good use targeting a mixed stock of carp and silver fish in attractive surroundings, supported by a distinctive café that has built its own following among locals and visitors alike. Those who appreciate characterful venues with a slightly unconventional feel, are comfortable with rustic elements, and value strong catch rates are likely to find much to enjoy here, whether they are visiting for a full angling session, a wild camping weekend or simply a relaxed meal by the water.