Witcombe Waters

Witcombe Waters is the trout fishery on the Witcombe Estate at Great Witcombe, Gloucestershire, set below the Cotswold escarpment within easy reach of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Cirencester. The estate has been home to the Hicks Beach family for more than 400 years. The fishing is on three reservoirs, regularly stocked with rainbow trout, from the bank or from a boat in season.

It is fly only, with no spinners, and every fish caught must be kept rather than released. A three fish day ticket costs £28 and runs from 8am until an hour before sunset; a two fish evening ticket costs £20. Boat hire is £6 a boat. No booking is needed, and the fishery is open seven days a week from 8am. Student and junior tickets are sold too, call for prices, and syndicate season tickets are available on request.

Go through the green metal gate, close it behind you, and park on the concrete area 150 yards on. The fishing office is at the end of the farmhouse, where you sign in on arrival and sign out with your catch. Payment is by card or cash, not cheque, and dogs are not allowed.