Set in the heart of the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds, a designated area of natural beauty, Tetford Country Cottages provides a peaceful self-catering retreat for anglers, their families or friends in a variety of 10 cottages which sleep from two to six people and are equipped with spacious lounge/kitchen and bathroom.
In addition, two lodges have their own kitchenettes and are available either on a self-catering or bed and breakfast basis. One of the lodges has a double bedroom, the other a twin bedroom and both have their own en-suite shower and WC.
And at the heart of everything is a delightfully interesting and natural looking lake where anglers can hide away for a day's tranquil fishing which is free to residents. The lake has plenty of features both around the water and on the bankside.
Anglers should note, however, that Day Tickets are no longer available as the fishing is now reserved for exclusively for residents and people staying at the adjacent Caravan Club site.
Owners Ivan and Jane Reed, who took over the venue in 2003, have transformed Tetford into a haven for anglers who want to fish Tetford's own charming lake, local rivers and nearby day-ticket fisheries, as well as visitors who simply want a tranquil base from which to roam the Wolds.
Ivan and Jane have devoted much time and attention to improving the fishing. Since the beginning of 2004 they have improved pegs and installed new platforms and de-silted the lake to restore its summer depth to five feet and six feet in winter.
Existing fish stocks have also been supplemented with the addition of about 40 mirror carp between 4lbs and 6lbs, 50 mirrors around the 2lb mark, 30 crucians around 1lb 8oz, 30 tench between 1lb 8oz and 2lbs, and some 60lbs in weight of mixed size roach. In December 2007 and Spring 2008 these were supplemented by a further 400lbs of common carp and a similar weight of bream and roach.
In addition, many of the trees and bushes around the lake have been pruned and the brambles and snags removed. Full details of the improvements can be found on Tetford's own website at www.tetfordcountrycottages.co.uk.
The result is that the lake is now an attractive and tidy fishery which has a magical quality. Indeed, if you are not fishing it is a delight just to walk round the lake and enjoy the abundance of wildlife and solitude which it offers.
Tetford can accommodate up to 42 guests and stays are very flexible and tailored to suit anglers' needs with cottages being available for any duration from overnight to several months at a time!
The on-site cafe and patio which overlooks the lake serves full English breakfasts, hot and cold drinks, snacks and lunches and offers a limited amount of terminal tackle and tinned and packet baits.
The venue also has its own secure tackle store where residents can leave their rods, poles, boxes, nets and other equipment, as well as its own fridges where baits such as maggots and casters can be kept.
Tetford is also a good venue for disabled anglers with wheel chair access available to some of the pegs along a path which leads from the car park directly to one peg and then short distance over grass to a second peg. In addition, the tackle store has electric hook-ups where electric scooters and wheelchairs can be recharged when not in use.
Horncastle, the nearest town, is crammed full of antique shops and has been rated England's antique shop town of the year. Sited midway between Lincoln and the coastal town of Skegness, Tetford is also an ideal base to explore the rural villages of the area and has two local pubs within walking distance.
When it comes to the angling, the irregular shaped two-and-a-half acre lake is a little gem with several islands and a host of nooks, crannies, inlets and channels offering a wide variety of angling from open water fishing to stalking carp in the reeds amongst overhanging trees and bushes.
Although keepnets are allowed they should not be used after dusk and all carp and fish over 2lbs should be returned to the water after capture. Anglers are also requested not to use fixed leads or fixed feeder rigs and should use unhooking mats for the larger fish. Whilst groundbait is allowed, this should be used in moderation. Rule changes are displayed on site.
Because of its tranquil setting, Tetford is an idea place to get away from it all, whether on your own or with family or friends. Being only shallow, the lake is ideal for both adults and youngsters, novices and experts, and with carp to 20lbs and good tench, bream, roach, rudd and perch there's something to suit all tastes and abilities.
The accommodation is spacious, clean and comfortable and near to the lake whilst there is ample car parking near the cottages for residents and near the lake for day-ticket anglers.
Good local tackle shops and the rivers Witham and Bain within are within 15 minutes' drive.
   
For more photographs of the accommodation and up to date prices,
please click here to visit Tetford Country Cottages' own website |
Tetford Lake
At two-and-a-half acres in size with plenty of bankside vegetation, Tetford Country Cottage's lake is well stocked with carp to nearly 30lbs, tench to 6lbs, bream which go to 4lbs, perch to 3lbs and a good number of roach and rudd. The fishing was improved early in 2006 with the removal of a large number of very small
silver fish, mostly bream, which were replaced with bigger fish. It is also planned to introduce further stocks of crucian carp which will provide good sport without the risk of smashing lighter tackle and some more rudd and tench.
Because of its variety, it is an ideal water for both pleasure and specimen anglers, young and old, experiences and inexperienced. It is also an interesting water because unlike many fisheries these days, it is a very irregularly shaped pool with a mass of inlets, crannies, features and islands.
This means anglers can choose to fish open bankside pegs or searching out their own hideaway - stalking carp under the branches of overhanging trees or fishing next to beds of reeds, dropping in on channels between the islands or fishing quiet bays.
Being mostly between four and five deep throughout in summer and about a foot deeper in winter, the lake is easy to fish with pole or waggler either near in or at a distance whilst the many features and bankside vegetation offer plenty of cover and ideal spots for stalking the carp with floating baits. Many anglers using two rods, float fishing with one and putting out a ledgered or floating bait with the second, although when the fish are on the feed most anglers are kept busy enough with just one rod.
But with carp known to run to over 20lbs - the biggest fish in 2005 came out at 27lbs - it pays not to fish too light if your swim is near to reeds or other likely bolt holes.
Most anglers do best just keeping things simple. Maggots, casters, sweetcorn and luncheon meat do well for all species whilst those after the carp also use flavoured boilies. Pellets are also becoming more popular on the water and work well for both the silver fish and the carp. Other useful baits are worms and bread, bread being good either float fished as flake pinched on the hook or as floating crust on the surface near the features.
Those fishing for the carp tend to use a minimum of 6lb line with a size 10 or 8 hook whilst those going after the silver fish and tench naturally fish lighter, using 2lb or 3lb breaking strain line or slightly heavier in case they get into one of the carp.
Another reason for not fishing too light are the tench, some of which are known to run to 6lbs, and the bream which go to 4lbs. The tench especially give a good account of themselves and both can make a quick dash for cover leaving anglers with fine tackle nursing a broken line and injured pride!
Tetford also holds a good head of decent sized perch with the lake record being set in June 2004 at dead on 3lbs, a nice fish by any standards, as well as a large number of roach and rudd which range from a few ounces to 1lb 8oz in weight and which are well worth catching. Most popular baits for these tend to be maggots, caster, bread and pellets.
The end result is that Tetford certainly holds something for everyone. It is ideal for individuals, groups or anglers with their wives or families.
There may be no bright lights, discos or funfairs until you get to Skegness, but if you are looking for a relaxing break where you can enjoy a mix of fishing with touring, walking or simply enjoying a relaxing lunch on the patio overlooking the lake or down one of the two local pubs, Ivan and Jane will do their best to ensure you enjoy your holiday.
How to get there...
Tetford is six-and-a-half miles north east of Horncastle, which is on the A158 Lincoln to Skegness road.
From Horncastle, travel east on the A158 toward Skegness, turn left at High Toynton and continue to Salmonby, pass the Cross Keys Inn on your right and then turn right at the junction into South Road. Take first left into East Road, pass Bridge Sawmill cottage on your left and continue around the bend, our entrance is 150 yards on the left just past Manor Farm house.
From Louth, travel south on the A16 towards Skegness. Continue on the A16 from the roundabout A16/A157/B1520 then take the 2nd right towards Ruckland & Tetford. As you enter Tetford take the first left by the grass triangle into North Road, bear right at the church into East Road, pass the White Hart pub on your right, our entrance is 100 yards on the right just before Manor Farm house.
From Spilsby, travel north on the A16 then west on the A158 towards Horncastle. Pass through Hagworthingham and then take the next right to Greetham (just past the left junction with the B1195). Pass through Greetham then turn right at the cross roads towards Tetford and Salmonby, continue to Salmonby, pass the Cross Keys Inn on your right and then turn right at the junction into South Road. Take first left into East Road, pass Bridge Sawmill cottage on your left and continue around the bend, our entrance is 150 yards on the left just past Manor Farm house.
Please click here or on the map for a larger image.
 Tetford Country Cottages on the Net
Owners Ivan and Jane Reed will be making further improvements to the accommodation, banksides and fishing. Anglers can keep up to date with these developments by visiting the venue's own website at www.tetfordcountrycottages.co.uk. |
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Tetford Country Cottages