Unlocking Derbyshire's Best-Kept Fishing Secrets: 3 Pristine Fishing Spots near Hill Farm

Perhaps it’s because we have a pond onsite, or it’s our proximity to the River Trent, where collosal carp, barbel and salmon are known to be caught by anglers.

Either way, I’m often asked if we offer fishing or if there are fishing options nearby. 

We don’t at Hill Farm, but we have options for you…

Pexels - Brett Sayles

The River Trent is every angler's pilgrimage. With strict licensing, it isn’t always easy to find good places to fish on permit day passes around Derbyshire. 

Our local club is the Derby Railway Angling Club, where applications are taken for membership around April/May each year.

The Club offers facilities on the River Trent and the Trent & Mersey Canal - some of the most diverse in the UK.

And the Earl of Harrington’s Angling Club. The Club was created by the then Earl of nearby Elvaston Castle in 1912 and he was Chairman of the Club.  His Estate included much of the River Derwent to the south of Derby around Borrowash.  Now the river fishery extends from some 2 miles north of Derby, above the weir at Darley Abbey, downstream to Borrowash, some 5 miles south of the city (taken from the clubs website).

But if you live further afield, local clubs are not going to help you out, regardless of how epic fishing or pristine the club locations… However, The Earl of Harrinton’s Angling Club offers day tickets to enthusiasts.

In this post, we'll unveil three pristine fishing spots near Hill Farm, in the heart of Derbyshire.

Where you can buy a day ticket, each offering unparalleled natural beauty and abundant fish populations. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice enthusiast, some of these fishing spots hold 30+lb carp and provide an unforgettable fishing experience.

Millbrook Lake Fisheries

A picturesque venue and fishing spot near Hill Farm, set in 8.4 acres, with the lake being 4.5 acres. It’s not just the lake that is stunning, but the fish are said to be too. With 12 swims (fishing spots), but only ten anglers at a time, it’s a top class - spacious - fishery.

Featured in the Angling Times as “a real gem” The banks of this tranquil lake are waiting for you to enjoy- especially when over half of the hand-picked 200 carp are over 20lbs. 

Venue manager Lee Stokes says:

"There are 206 carp in here and about hundred of them are twenties. The biggest fish has been up as high as 32lb 8oz and there are a dozen carp around the 30lb mark.

The article has suggested tactics from Millbrook to get the most out of your fishing experience. Have a read here.

Call Millbrook on 01782 550 522 to book. 

Markeaton Park Lake 

We’ve talked about Markeaton Park as an incredible free family day out

It is Derby’s most visited park and one of the most popular attractions in the East Midlands. Its picturesque lake is actually a man-made widening of Markeaton Brook as it passes through the park! 

Markeaton Park Lake (near to Hill Farm) offers coarse and carp fishing in Derby.  It is a mixed fishery, with specimen carp, tench, bream, pike and silvers. Markeaton Park Lake falls under waters licenced by THE EARL OF HARRINGTON'S ANGLING CLUB, day tickets are a very reasonable £7 to fish- available to purchase in advance online here.

PARKING: The main pay and display car park, DE22 4AA, £5.50 for 4+ hours (at time of publishing this post).

River Derwent 

The beautiful River Derwent is known for being home to some double figure barbel. The Earl of Harrington’s club controls a couple of notable stretches around Derby. Last year a 15lb 9oz barbel was caught by a guy called Tom, it’s believed to be the largest caught from this stretch of the Derwent last year.

Try Derby Abbey Weir and the area immediately downstream for barbel. The locations and more details are on the Harrington Club website.

Note - only season tickets on Chub Alley at Borrowash. 

Day tickets can also be purchased at the following outlets: 

Fishermania  -  01332 752500

714-716 Harvey Road, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 0EG     

Fishermania Burton - 01283 540433

141-142 Derby Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 2LG

Nathans of Derby - 01332 515353 

9-19 Edgware Road, Mackworth, Derby, DE22 4EW 

After a day on the banks, Hill Farm is waiting for you to get back from a fishing trip of a lifetime, where you’ve left the family happily glamping. In the evening you can properly complete your outdoor adventure - going from sitting on the banks of a river, to soaking in a hot tub surrounded by nature. 

No more convincing needed! 

Pack your fishing gear - and book a camping or glamping getaway to Hill Farm, a sure way to keep everyone happy and experience Derbyshire’s pristine fishing spots firsthand! 

Book your glamping or camping trip here

Tara’s footnotes:

I can’t confess to knowing a lot about fishing, so any specific questions about swims, locations, parking and locations - please refer to the websites linked in this blog post. 

While researching this blog post, I became very aware that there are strict bylaws regarding fishing in our rivers. So when you purchase a day ticket, please make sure you read the club rules, and if you are a novice fisherperson, swat up on byelaws, legalities and general do’s and do not’s here.

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Tara runs the day-to-day at Hill Farm Caravan and Camping. When you make a booking, you will find Tara at the end of the phone. 

Ollie Cotton and his family have owned and run Hill Farm Caravan and Camping for generations. They love nothing more than providing high-quality and affordable escapes for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurous families, gig-lovers,rallies & get togethers 

2024 Improvements & Changes: 

✨ Gazebos make our pods and belle tents gorgeous all-weather havens; hot tubs are tucked under them too!

✨ Two new belle tents now open

✨ Closed last season, the pond field is back open. Five seasonal belle tents will tuck around its banks. It's the perfect place for a family and friends retreat! Call or email to request the pond.