Somerset Accommodation

Chew Valley Lake is popular for fishing in north Somerset
Blagdon Reservoir for trout fishing

Somerset Fishing & Golf Activities

Somerset has lots of opportunities for fishing whether it's in the reservoirs, rivers or streams throughout the county. Exmoor is the heart of wild trout and salmon fishing in the beautiful wooded valleys within Exmoor National Park. Blagdon Reservoir in north Somerset is also good for trout fishing. The King Sedgemoor Drain, Huntspill River and the River Axe provide plenty of bream, tench and silver fish fishing. For carp fishing try Combwich Ponds, Durleigh reservoir and the River Axe. The River Brue and River Tone are renowned for its pike fishing. You can also do a spot of sea fishing in Somerset up on the north west coast around Watchet and Minehead.

If golf's your game then there are plenty of golf courses from championship links courses on the coast to inland courses such as Bath Golf Club on the hills surrounding the city. Below a few golf courses in Somerset are feature but check the link right for a comprehensive list of Somerset golf clubs.

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Chew Valley Lake

Chew Valley Lake, to the west of Bath, is a popular, easily accessible visitor attraction. It is the fifth largest reservoir in the UK and was created to provide Bristol with drinking water in the 1950s. It is fringed with common reed and is a popular bird watching haunt. In fact it receives national and international protection due to it being an important staging post for migrating waders, terns and warblers. You're likely to see a good range of wintering wildfowl too such as shoveler, gadwall, teal, tufted duck, goldeneye, wigeon, snipe, lapwing and redshank.

Chew Valley Lake is also a world renowned trout fishery where fly fishing is popular. Tickets are available for either boat or bank fishing. Check the Bristol Water weblink right for more information and a downloadable copy of their fishing in Somerset brochure that includes further details of Chew Valley Lake.

The fishing season runs from 15 March to 30 November. Permits are available from Woodford Lodge. Contact Tel: 01275 332339. Fax: 01275 331377. Email: woodford.lodge@bristolwater.co.uk.

There are other fishing lakes around this area such as trout fishing at Blagdon Reservoir. The Bristol Water website has more information on these and other activities such as sailing.

Cheddar Reservoir

Just to the west of Cheddar village is Cheddar Reservoir. This was built in the 1930s to take advantage of the springs from Cheddar Gorge. Although it still supplies drinking water it is also used for recreation including sailing, wind-surfing and fishing. It is in a lovely location with the Mendip Hills behind the reservoir to the north. There are two car park one at the Axbridge end and one on the eastern side accessible from Cheddar.

Angling is popular at Cheddar Reservoir particularly fishing for pike and roach. The fishing is leased to Cheddar Angling Club who also fish at the clay pits below the below the reservoir.

For more details contact: Trevor Harvey, Cheddar Angling Club, Mulberry House, Barrows Road, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3AY. Tel: 07974 705044.

Fishing, Hunting, Shooting Exmoor

Dulverton is a good base if you want to do a spot of fishing during your stay in Exmoor. Fly fishing for trout and salmon is most popular in Exmoor with the River Exe and River Barle around Dulverton providing plenty of opportunities. Alternatively up nearer the coast you try a spot of sea fishing where you migth land bass, cod, whiting, conger or skate. Sea fishing boat trips leaves from Minehead, Porlock Weir and Watchet.

National rod licenses are required to fish on West Somerset rivers and permits are required from fishing rights owners. Check the Exmoor National Park Activities link right for more information on where to obtain fishing permits.

There is a long tradition of hunting within Exmoor. Traditionally hunts pursued red deer and foxes. Obviously hunting has been undergoing a lot of change, but the tradition remains strong in Exmoor. Depending on your point of view you may want to see the hunting spectacle or avoid it and you can find out about when hunts are being held in the local press.

Shooting is the other form of hunting popular within Exmoor and appears to be increasing in popularity. There are a variety of shoots close to Dulverton offering world-class partridge and pheasant shooting. Days can be purchased from: Miltons, Chargot, Haddeo, West Molland, Molland & Wellshead shoots.

Wimbleball Lake Exmoor

Wimbleball Lake near Dulverton in south Exmoor has an Angling and Watersports Centre that offers tuition on a variety of activities including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and rowing. You can also launch your own craft from the Centre or hire equipment.

Wimbleball is also renowned for its trout fishery. The Centre also offers tuition on fly fishing and you can buy permits at the site or book prior to your visit. There is also a nine mile lakeside walk, campsite and tearoom. Check the link right for more information.

Wimbleball Lake, near Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9NW. Angling and Watersports Centre Tel: 01398 371460. Email: wimbleball@swlakestrust.org.uk

The River Barle and the River Exe are also popular for canoeing all year round. For more information check the Active Exmoor link or contact Exmoor Canoe Club who are based in Dulverton, links right.

Bath Golf Club

Just near Claverton Down is Bath Golf Club. Established at Hampton Down in 1880 it is one of the country's oldest inland courses.

Bath Golf Course is an eighteen hole, 71 par course that hugs the contours of the limestone hills on which it lies.

Bath Golf Club: Sham Castle, North Road, Bath, BA2 6JG. Tel: Managing Secretary 01225 463834. Email: enquiries@bathgolfclub.org.uk

Wincanton Racecourse and Golf Club

Wincanton Racecourse is located between Wincanton and Bruton on the B3081. It has a full fixture programme throughout the year and has undergone modernisation over the last few years.

Alongside the Racecourse is Wincanton Golf Course; a nine hole parkland golf course with club house and pro shop. Visitors are welcomed and race/golf packages can be organised. More details are on the Wincanton Racecourse link right or contact the Golf Course on tel: 01963 435850.

Wincanton Racecourse, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 8BJ. Tel: 01963 32344. Fax: 01963 34668. Emaail: wincanton@jockeyclubracecourses.com

Weston-super-Mare Golf Club

Weston-super-Mare Golf Club has an 18 hole links course with views out over the Bristol Channel. It dates from 1892 and was designed by Dr Alistair Mackenzie.

It is a long, par 70, challenging course with its signature hole, the 15th, having been modelled on the 17th at St Andrews Old Course. The prevailing winds greatly influence play. It is handy to get to not being far from the M5.

Visitors and Societies are welcomed although there is no formal booking system in place. Telephone the Pro Shop 01934 633360 or email secretary@westonsupermaregolfclub.com to make arrangements.

Check their weblink right for more information about the course and its facilities. Weston super Mare Golf Club, Uphill Road North, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS23 4NQ. Tel: 01934 626968. Fax: 01934 621360.

Brean Sands Pontins Holiday Camp

Family attractions have sprung up around Brean including Brean Leisure Park. This is an amusement park with camping or self catering accommodation or you can just visit for a family day out. There are over forty rides including roller coasters like the Super Looper, river boat rides, pony rides and dodgems.

Within Brean Leisure Park is an 18 hole, par 69 golf course in 100 acres of meadowland. You can just turn up and pay to play a round or buy a day ticket. No handicap certificate is required. Groups and societies need to book in advance.

Brean Golf Club, Brean Leisure Park, Coast Road, Brean, Somerset, TA8 2QY. Tel: 01278 752111. Email: golf@brean.com.

Burnham and Berrow Golf Club

If you're golf is a little more advanced you might want to try the championship course at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club. It was founded in 1890 and is a natural links course originally having been established in the sand dunes of Berrow Warren. Several championships have been held here over the years

The Club has a second 9 hole course, the Channel Course, that was established in 1977. You can plan a full golfing day out here taking advantage of both courses with refreshments from the Clubhouse in between. Contact the Golf Club direct to arrange your visit or firstly check their website for more information.

Burnham and Berrow Golf Club, St Christopher's Way, Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset TA8 2PE. Tel: 01278 785760. Fax: 01278 795440. Email: secretary@burnhamandberrowgolfclub.co.uk

Yeovil Golf Club

Yeovil Golf Club has two golf courses: the eighteen hole Old Course and the nine hole Newton Course. It also has a twenty bay floodlit driving range with automated power tees.

The courses are on the western side of Yeovil town centre. Visitors are welcomed and the club offers Golf Day Packages for Societies. Check their website for more information link right.

Yeovil Golf Club, Sherborne Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 5BW. Tel: 01935 422965. Fax: 01935 411283. Email: manager@yeovilgolfclub.com