The Bull Hotel, Fairford

The Bull Hotel stands on the Market Place in Fairford, and its fishing is about a mile and a quarter of the River Coln, running downstream from the main road bridge in the middle of the town. The river runs gin clear for most of the year and holds a very healthy population of wild brown trout and grayling. There are fast, shallow gravelly runs and deeper slow pools, so there is room for traditional dry fly fishing as well as more modern methods such as Euro nymphing.

Fly life is good. The hotel lists a large mayfly hatch, upwing flies on most days, and sedges, hawthorn and other terrestrials, and its rules describe the Coln as a limestone stream. The rules are simple: fly only, dry fly or nymph with one dropper, barbless hooks, and every fish goes back.

The hotel sells half day and full day sessions from April to October and winter grayling days from November to March, booked through its website. For 2026 a half day is from £45, a full day from £75 and a winter grayling day £50. You need an Environment Agency rod licence. The hotel also works with two local fishing guides who offer tuition and guided days, for beginners as well as experienced anglers.