RKB Leisure Martello Lakes

RKB Leisure Martello Lakes presents itself as a dedicated coarse and carp fishery combined with a sailing lake, offering anglers and watersports enthusiasts a peaceful, well-managed setting with a strong focus on comfort, fish welfare and accessibility. The site is a substantial former gravel pit of around 55 acres, with over 40 acres of water and around sixty swims laid out to accommodate different styles of angling, from short sessions to extended stays.

For anyone searching for a UK venue that combines serious carp fishing with a relaxed atmosphere, Martello Lakes stands out for its size and stocking policy. The water holds a broad mix of coarse species, but the headline attraction is a population of large carp reported to reach around forty pounds, alongside plenty of doubles that provide regular action for competent anglers. This balance of specimen fish and more frequent bites makes it appealing both to those who are targeting personal bests and to less experienced visitors who still want a realistic chance of success.

The fishery has been operated by RKB Leisure since 2018, during which time the team has invested steadily in improving swims, access roads and car parks, and in developing a more modern, user-friendly facility. Their stated aim is to provide a calm and relaxing environment, and this intention is reflected in the general presentation of the water, with cut banks, tidy pegs and clear rules designed to protect both the lake and its stock. Visiting anglers often remark that the venue feels well kept, with paths and swims maintained to a standard that makes setting up for a long session straightforward rather than a chore.

Fishing experience and stock

Martello Lakes is marketed as a mixed fishery with a strong carp bias, and the experience on the bank tends to support that description. The water reportedly holds a healthy stock of common and mirror carp, with numerous fish into the twenties and a top end around the forty-pound mark, providing a clear draw for anglers who are used to targeting larger fish. Alongside the carp, there is a wide range of silver fish including bream, skimmers, roach to about three pounds, rudd, perch and both large and small eels, with pike also present as a natural predator species. This diversity means that coarse anglers who are more interested in variety than pure specimen hunting can still enjoy active sessions.

Feedback from visiting anglers suggests that catch rates can be very rewarding when conditions and tactics are right. There are reports of twenty‑plus pound mirrors landed during relatively short daytime trips, which indicates that the stock is both substantial and willing to feed when pressure and weather align. At the same time, other visitors note days when only small fish or a single “tiddler” have come to the net, a reminder that even at a productive venue, success is not guaranteed and watercraft remains essential. For potential visitors, this mixed picture is actually reassuring: the lake offers genuine specimens, but it is not so heavily stocked that every session becomes predictable.

For those specifically searching for a destination for carp lakes in Kent, Martello Lakes positions itself as a serious option rather than just a casual pleasure venue. The number of swims and the variety of features on offer — margins, bars and open water — allow different approaches, from margin stalking to longer-range fishing with traditional bottom baits. Anglers accustomed to modern carp rigs and baiting strategies will find that the rules still allow the essentials such as boilies, pellets and maggots, while limiting heavy particle use to maintain water quality and prevent overbaiting.

Rules, fish care and environment

One of the most striking aspects of RKB Leisure Martello Lakes is the detailed rule set governing tackle, bait and behaviour, reflecting an emphasis on fish welfare and respect for the site. Anglers are required to use micro‑barbed hooks, walled or cradle-style unhooking mats and minimum net sizes, and all nets, mats and slings must be dipped before use. There is also a stipulation that fish must be kept low to the ground when being photographed and returned quickly, an approach that aligns with best practice at serious specimen waters. These measures may feel strict to some visitors, but they are clearly designed to minimise stress and long‑term damage to the fish.

Bait restrictions are similarly specific, with boilies, pellets, maggots, worms, sweetcorn, tinned meat and bread permitted, but hemp, large particle mixes, maize and nuts excluded. There is also a cap on the total amount of bait that can be used in a 24‑hour period, including limits on groundbait and tinned items. For anglers accustomed to heavy baiting campaigns this may seem restrictive, yet it helps to protect water quality and keeps the playing field relatively level between day‑ticket visitors and more regular attendees. The ban on bait boats, fixed leads, leadcore and braided main line (except on marker and spod rods) may also divide opinion, but again underlines the management’s preference for safe, simple setups.

Noise control and general conduct are also taken seriously. There are clear expectations regarding low noise levels, no loud music and the use of headphones for devices, which benefits those who value a quieter fishing lake experience. Limits on the number of nights that can be spent in a single swim, alongside a sign‑in and sign‑out system, demonstrate an organised approach to managing angler pressure and safety. These policies may particularly appeal to visiting families and those planning longer stays, who want reassurance that the bankside environment will remain calm and orderly.

Facilities, access and accessibility

Facilities at Martello Lakes are geared towards making extended fishing trips comfortable. On site there are toilets and showers, including provision for disabled users, which is still not universal at all coarse fishing venues. A modest club hut is open both to members and day‑ticket holders, offering a shared space where anglers can take a break from the bankside and catch up with others about recent form and conditions.

Access to the water is structured, with specific windows for entering and leaving the site and clearly defined day and night ticket sessions. Some anglers may prefer a more flexible system, especially those who like to arrive at first light or leave at unconventional hours, but this arrangement allows the bailiffs to maintain control over who is on the fishery at any given time. The management also notes that it intends to provide individual parking bays for at least half of the swims, which would further improve convenience for those carrying substantial gear. Even in its current form, paths and roads have been improved, making barrow access easier than at many older gravel pits.

Accessibility is another area where Martello Lakes performs strongly. There is a newly built disabled and wheelchair‑friendly swim that allows anglers with reduced mobility to enjoy the same water as everyone else, rather than being restricted to a separate pond. Visitors frequently mention that staff and bailiffs are approachable and willing to help, including offering practical support with equipment or simple gestures such as lending items when something has been forgotten. This hospitable atmosphere can make a big difference for newcomers, young anglers and families.

Customer service and atmosphere

The on‑site bailiffs are central to the experience at RKB Leisure Martello Lakes. Regulars describe them as helpful and knowledgeable, able to advise on swims, methods and safe practice. For those bringing children or less experienced companions, the willingness of staff to guide casting techniques, set up rigs and provide encouragement can turn a standard fishing trip into a memorable learning experience. There are accounts of children leaving with improved casting skills and renewed enthusiasm for angling thanks to patient instruction from staff.

Anglers often comment on the cleanliness of the lake and surrounding areas, citing tidy swims, minimal litter and a general sense that the site is cared for. This impression is reinforced by rules requiring visitors to take litter home and by the management’s proactive work on bank and road maintenance. The combination of a well‑kept environment and courteous staff contributes to a welcoming atmosphere, which is particularly important for those visiting a new venue for the first time or returning to angling after time away.

That said, the structured rules and monitored access may not suit everyone. Anglers who prefer very relaxed venues with minimal oversight could find the regulated approach more formal than they are used to. Similarly, while many appreciate a quiet bankside, those who enjoy a more social, boisterous environment might feel constrained by the expectation of low noise and respect for neighbouring swims. It is therefore a fishery best suited to those who value orderliness, safety and fish care over a completely informal atmosphere.

Beyond fishing: sailing and activities

Unlike many purely angling‑focused waters, Martello Lakes also supports dinghy sailing and related watersports, with recognised courses advertised through established boating organisations. Visitors can sometimes rent small sailing dinghies for short sessions on the water, with staff assisting with launch and recovery and basic safety guidance. This dual use means that families or groups that include both anglers and non‑fishing members may find something for everyone, particularly during warmer months when time on the water is especially appealing.

The presence of sailing does, however, introduce factors that anglers should consider. At busier times there may be activity from boats in designated areas, which could influence where more serious coarse fishing lakes style sessions are best concentrated. The fishery is organised to manage these uses sensibly, but those looking for completely undisturbed water may wish to plan trips around quieter periods or choose swims that are further from launching points. For many visitors, though, the occasional dinghy adds interest without significantly detracting from the fishing.

Strengths and limitations for potential visitors

From the perspective of a potential customer, RKB Leisure Martello Lakes offers a solid combination of specimen potential, comfort and structure. Anglers who prioritise well‑looked‑after fish, defined rules and decent facilities are likely to appreciate what is on offer. The presence of good‑sized carp, extensive coarse stocks and a range of swims gives scope for both short and extended sessions, while clear rules around rigs and bait, and on‑site dipping tanks, provide reassurance that the fishery is serious about long‑term sustainability. For families and newer anglers, the supportive bailiff team and the option of both fishing and boating make the venue particularly attractive.

On the other hand, those seeking ultra‑wild or lightly managed waters might find the level of structure here more than they require, and the bait and rig restrictions may not align with every angler’s preferred approach. The controlled access windows and prohibition of certain equipment, such as bait boats and leadcore, are worth understanding in advance to avoid surprises on arrival. Additionally, as with any significant water, catch results can vary; while there are clear examples of impressive carp captures, there are also accounts of quieter days that will test patience and skill.

Overall, RKB Leisure Martello Lakes is best suited to anglers who are looking for a well‑run carp fishery with a genuine emphasis on fish welfare, a tidy and accessible layout and a calm bankside environment, rather than an intensely commercial match‑style venue. Its blend of sizeable carp, mixed coarse species, well‑defined rules and complementary sailing activities places it firmly among the more organised fishing venues in Kent, with a character that should appeal to those who value structure, safety and a considered approach to angling.