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Thinking of taking a fishing break in the UK? The UK with its coarse fishing lakes, expansive coastline, rivers and streams can be a great place to fish on holiday. Britain is also home to a great choice of accommodation for fishing holidays too with lakeside lodges, riverside cabins, and coastal holiday homes all options.
So once you have decided to book a self-catering fishing holiday in the UK, you may be wondering just which are the best places to go? Here we highlight our selection of the UK’s top 12 fishing holiday destinations, with 3 selected from Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.
Scotland’s Top Fishing Holiday Destinations
Scotland is a stunning destination for a fishing break. Our top 3 picks for fishing holidays in Scotland include the Perthshire Highlands, Aberdeenshire coast and Loch Lomond National Park. Read on to discover what each has to offer.
1. The Perthshire Highlands for Fishing on the River Tay
With the River Tay snaking through the Highlands, this gorgeously picturesque river is Scotland’s longest, and is set amongst the most stunning scenery of glens, countryside and wooded hills.
Fish for salmon, brown trout and grayling in this part of Scotland.
Fishing permits must be obtained to fish on the Tay, although some estates with holiday homes within offer fishing on their beats as part of the holiday package.
Whether you opt to book a holiday home near Pitlochry or in the Highlands countryside, estate cottages and fishing lodges are available in this part of Scotland. Discover our selection of fishing holidays in the Scottish Highlands.
2. Discover the Aberdeenshire Coast and Superb Fishing along the River Dee
Home to fascinating historic castles and wildlife watching opportunities galore, Aberdeenshire is a superb destination in its own right. For a fishing holiday the county also has plenty to offer. With an expansive coastline, you can fish for free from bays, rocks or small town and village harbours.
If river fishing is more your thing, the River Dee is a superb spot for salmon and trout fishing. As with elsewhere in Scotland, day tickets or permits are required and can be purchased locally. Some fishing estates offer holiday accommodation and include free fishing in the holiday price. Discover our selection of fishing breaks in North East Scotland for options in Aberdeenshire.
3. Fish in the Glorious Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Home to some of Scotland’s finest scenery with lochs, glens, rivers and hills in abundance, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is a joy to explore. Alongside fishing, you can enjoy cycling, walking and wildlife watching in this glorious area.
For keen anglers, fishing though is possible within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, with the correct permit. Fish for pike, perch, trout and salmon in this part of Scotland. Permits can be purchased locally from anglers and landowners, and some holiday home owners offer permits for free as part of your stay at their cottage.
England’s Top 3 Fishing Holiday Destinations
England has so many superb places for fishing breaks that it just isn’t possible to list all of them. Here we have selected 3 of the best English destinations for fishing holidays including the Lake District, Norfolk Broads and Yorkshire Dales.
Go Fishing and Enjoy Outdoor Pursuits Galore in England’s Lake District
As one of England’s most scenic areas with glistening lakes, fells and charming towns and villages, the Lake District is a joy to explore on holiday. In addition to offering opportunities to fish, the area also offers ample opportunities to enjoy outdoor pursuits like hiking, walking, boating and wildlife watching.
The rivers of the Lake District are home to brown trout, salmon and sea trout, and permits must be obtained to fish along the river bank.
If you want to enjoy lake fishing, you can fish for free on Lake Windermere, Ullswater and Coniston Water.
Book a boathouse on Lake Windermere and fish right from your holiday home, or book a lakeside lodge on a holiday park for easy fishing day after day on holiday. Discover Country Cottages Online’s selection of fishing holiday accommodation in the Lake District.
Explore the Waterways on a Fishing Holiday in the Norfolk Broads
Discover England’s own water wonderland on a fishing holiday in the Norfolks. With rivers and waterways galore, the Broads is a superb area for enjoying a spot of river fishing. Fish from a boat or enjoy angling from the riverside, it’s up to you. Remember though you need an agency rod licence to fish (available from the Post Office) and although there are many places you can fish for free, you need day tickets in privately owned locations where fees apply.
For convenience, book a riverside lodge or a holiday lodge set on a development with fishing on site, for easy relaxed days on holiday. For something extra special, look out for rentals with hot tubs for relaxation galore too. Browse our selection of fishing accommodation in Norfolk and look out for options close to the Broads.
3. Fish in the Glorious Yorkshire Dales, in the North England
Renowned for walking, hiking and wildlife watching, the Yorkshire Dales is also a great place to fish as well! Yorkshire can be ideal for fly fishing for grayling and brown trout, with its crystal clear rivers and streams, winding through unspoilt countryside.
Book a rural retreat and fish on rivers on days out, or book a break on a holiday park with coarse fishing lakes on site for a truly easy relaxed option. Remember that when it comes to fishing on the Dales’ rivers, permits are required.
Discover our selection of fishing holidays in North Yorkshire, for options close to the Dales.
Wales Top Fishing Holiday Destinations
Wales too is a joy to explore on a fishing break with many superb options, from the coast to the countryside and lakeside escapes. Our top 3 picks for fishing holidays in Wales include the Wye Valley, the gorgeous Llyn peninsula, and the Brecon Beacons.
Enjoy Fishing in the Tranquil Wye Valley
If you want to enjoy a fishing holiday in a truly stunning scenic location, then the Wye Valley is hard to beat. With wooded valleys, unspoilt countryside and peaceful riverbanks, the Wye Valley is an absolute charm. Although the River Wye can be popular for activities like kayaking and boating, there are also tranquil spots where seasoned anglers and holiday casters can enjoy fly or coarse fishing. Salmon, wild brown trout, barbel, grayling and chub can all be caught along the River Wye, although the river is particularly renowned for its salmon.
To fish along the river, a rod licence is required (available from local tackle shops, and angling associations with fishing rights), and a permit to fish.
Walking and hiking in the area are of course completely free!
Book a riverside lodge, a cottage close to the river or rent a lodge on a park with a coarse fishing lake for easy access to fishing day after day on holiday.
Enjoy Coastal Fishing for Free Along Wales’ Llyn Peninsula
If coastal fishing is more your cup of tea, then the Llyn Peninsula could be a great choice. Recreational sea fishing in Wales is completely free, so no need to worry about permits or rod licences, just bring your kit and bait, and you are good to go, you can even use as many rods as you like! Fish from rocky shorelines or small local harbours, it’s up to you.
Combine your fishing break with days out along beautiful beaches and relaxed pub meals at charming villages and towns.
Book a coastal cottage and max out on those feel good ions too with your seaside escape.
Enjoy Angling in the Brecon Beacons
With some of Wales’ finest and most dramatic scenery, along with superb opportunities to enjoy outdoor pursuits like walking and hiking, the Brecon Beacons is a superb area to enjoy outdoor pursuits, including fishing.
The Brecon Beacons are said to be home to some of the best brown trout fishing in the whole of the UK, making this an appealing place for a fishing holiday.
With the right permits and at the right locations, coarse and game fishing can be enjoyed along rivers, lakes, reservoirs and in canals. A rod license is always required, and permits as well.
Choices in terms of where to fish, include along the River Wye, the River Usk, along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (fishing permits can be purchased from the Canal and River Trust), and on Talybont Reservoir, the Usk Reservoir and Llangorse Lake.
Book riverside holiday lodges for easy river access, rural retreats close to good fishing, or rent a holiday lodge with its own onsite coarse fishing for a totally easy and convenient option.
Top Fishing Holiday Destinations in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland too has some superb destinations for self-catering fishing holidays. Our top 3 include Lough Erne, the River Bann and the Causeway Coast.
Get a Good Sized Catch on Lough Erne, County Fermanagh
If you want to catch some heavy and impressive fish, Lough Erne could be a great choice. This Lough is considered to be have one of the finest coarse fishing waters in the whole of Europe.
Anglers at Lough Erne Lowe have caught trout weighing as much as 5 kilos! Guided fishing trips can be booked for anglers who want a bit of help too. Enjoy fishing for roach, bream, pike, perch and trout. Please note permits and rod licences are required to fish here.
Book a lakeside lodge or a rural retreat and enjoy fishing on day trips to Lough Erne.
Fish in Scenic Surroundings along the River Bann, County Londonderry
If you want to enjoy good salmon fishing, the River Bann could be a top choice. Starting by the Mourne mountains and flowing in to and out of Lough Neagh (Europe’s largest freshwater lake), the River Bann is a great place to fish for salmon in particular. Fishing is possible along the Upper Baan (renowned for its brown trout fishing) or the Lower River Baan, but remember rod licences and permits are required.
Rent a rural retreat, a holiday lodge or a lakeside escape for a superb fishing holiday in this part of Northern Ireland.
Enjoy Sea Fishing Along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast
For some of the best sea fishing that Northern Ireland has to offer, head for the Causeway Coast. Home to the amazing Giant’s causeway, there is more than one reason to visit the Causeway Coast. As well as dramatic cliff formations, the Causeway Coast is also home to beautiful unspoilt beaches and small harbours.
Fish from the shore, rocks or from small harbours. Sea fishing is of course free so there is no need to worry about rod licences or permits, you can just bring yourself, your rod, your bait and kit and be good to cast your line. Pollock, cod, mackerel, sea trout and sea bass can all be caught from the shore.
Rent a coastal cottage or fisherman’s cottage and enjoy superb sea fishing in this part of Northern Ireland.