HOGSBROOK LAKES, WOODBURY     BACK TO PRIVATE LAKES

DESCRIPTION. Recommended – this is one of the best day ticket water in the vicinity. There are two medium sized lakes here, right next to Nigel Mansells golf course (look out for the F1 electric cart). These lakes are frequently used for Sunday competitions. A very pleasant mixed fishery, with a good head of carp, tench, skimmers, bream, rudd, crucian carp and roach. The large carp are in the bottom lake. All methods will take fish – light groundbaiting usually helps. One side of the top lake is out of bounds where it borders Nige’s golf course. A shame that, because the swims under the trees cannot be fished now, and they used to be very productive. Having said that, anywhere will produce fish. The most popular areas are on the top lake - along the dam wall and at the far end where the stream enters the lake. The bottom lake tends to be populated by the Fox chair and electronic alarm brigade. Finding the lakes is a bit of a challenge (see below). The banks have been much improved in recent years with pleasant gravel paths. The owners live in the bungalow and will collect fees on the bank. For some reason the Environment Agency licence inspectors like to visit this venue – I have been asked to produce my licence on a number of occasions, so best not leave yours at home. GETTING THERE This place can be quite hard to find and involves taking a fairly tortuous route along some narrow ‘Devon’ lanes. 10 points if you spot Nigels back gate somewhere along this route. The first bit is easy. From M5 junction 30 (Sandygate) take the A3052 towards Sidmouth and Lyme Regis. Carry on this road for about 3 ½ miles past the Devon county show ground (on the left), the Cat and Fiddle pub (on the left) and the entrance to Crealey Park (on the right). About a mile after Crealey, you will come to the White Horse pub on the right. Turn right immediately before the pub (Signposted Woodbury Salterton). Once you enter the lanes, carry on past the first lane on the left (about ½ mile). About ¼ mile later you will come to a fork in the road – bear left here. After another half mile you will come to cross lanes – turn left. There is actually a signpost for Hogsbrook here, but it is often obscured in the bushes and grass. Take the first lane on the left, which you will come to after ¼ mile. (Lane is an overstatement – be prepared. It is narrow, winding and can be filthy after rain). After about ½ mile you will pass through Hogsbrook farmyard – bear right amongst the farm buildings to follow the lane as it dips between some trees. Keep going – you are doing OK ! Another few hundred yards and you come to a T junction where the tarmac peters out to gravel. Take a right here along the gravel lane. The entrance to the car park for the lakes is 100 yards along, on the left. Well done – wasn’t so bad, was it ? In all I suppose it takes about 10 minutes once you leave the A3052. If you have a one inch OS Map, Hogsbrook Farm is marked. There used to be a much easier route to the lakes - the other end of the gravel lane joins the main drive that leads into Woodbury Park Golf Course. However, when I was up there a few weeks ago I noticed that some genius has blocked that end of the lane off with an extremely large tree trunk. Thanks Nigel, I hope you prang your flash Merc on it one day. FACILITIES, etc. Life bouys, good sized tarmac car park, toilets. Helpful information board. Small field that can be used for camping. Nice place. Recommended.