Whether you're looking for a secluded spot by the river or fancy angling at sea, The Great Inns can offer you a range of inspiring fishing breaks.
This is what you see: the glitter of the sun reflecting off a clear stream; miles of lush countryside laid out before you; a sudden movement in the corner of your eye as a bird hops from a branch.
This is what you hear: the trickling of water flowing over rocks; bubbles breaking on the surface as fish search for dinner; the soft wind through the leaves and the gentle song of the birds overhead. This is a day out fishing at Great Inns of Britain. Relaxing, isn’t it?
Fishing is the perfect way to unwind and relax after a busy week, and is a suitably slow-paced way to fill the time between the exquisite foods and fine wines, shopping, or sightseeing you’ll enjoy during a trip to a Great Inn. Whether the kids make daisy chains in the field as you show your partner how to reel in a fish or you decide to go solo to become at one with nature, fishing is sure to relax your mind.
And whatever part of the country you decide to visit, there’s a Great Inn with a great fishing spot waiting for you.
The Blue Lion Inn is located in the gorgeous rural setting of Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. The River Ure rises in the hills above Hawes in Wensleydale and is a great river for fly fishing - an ancient angling method which can be performed in fresh or salt water.
Visit
Barnsdale Lodge in Rutland, which is home to the 3,100 acre reservoir Rutland Water. If you’re looking for more drama to accompany your fishing experience, Rutland Water offers a wide variety of fishing and water sports. Barnsdale Lodge is currently running a special offer: Two nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis to include a 4-hour fly fishing excursion on board a motorboat on Rutland Water with Rutland's finest fly fisherman, Rob Waddington. No experience needed.
£360.00 for two people, based on sharing a double or twin bedroom. £270 for one person, based on single occupancy accommodation. This offer can be upgraded to a full day's fishing by prior arrangement, and subject to availability. Now how does that sound? Barnsdale Lodge also offers badger and bird watching, hedge-laying courses and painting and drawing.
If your idea of fishing involves boats and the open sea, set off from the aptly name
Pier Hotel. This Harwich harbour-side gem offers fishing activities for everyone, including sailing days on chartered yachts which allow you to travel to France in about an hour. The special seasonal fishing packages include ‘Chef Cooks Your Catch’, where you can enjoy the fruits of your efforts that evening with Seabass from the Stour and Orwell estuaries.
Or try out
The Peacock at Rowsley - situated in the heart of England amongst the rolling hills of the Peak District, it boasts some of the most stunning countryside in the UK. Try fly fishing on The River Wye - seven miles of some of the best dry fly, wild trout fishing in the UK. For a taster, read
‘water - lines’, which is Head River Keeper for Haddon Estate Warren Slaney's blog. The Peacock also has its own Fly Fishing Club, which offers a two-tier membership to new members on an unrestricted basis from April 2012. ‘Olive’ membership runs from April 1st – January 7th 2013 (excluding May 12th – June 17th) and costs £595 including VAT. Meanwhile, ‘Mayfly’ membership runs from April 1st right through to January 7th 2013 and costs £895 including VAT.
For something different why not check in at
The Rose & Crown Inn at Romaldkirk, near Barnard Castle in County Durham, a beautiful inn overlooking three village greens. Kielder Water offers fantastic angling opportunities and you can fish from bank or boat to catch beautiful brown and rainbow trout.