Waterloo farm leisure Great Oxendon, Market Harborough

[Robmac]

I have just booked a couple of nights at this site for next week.

The pitches are huge and right next to the lake with 2 swims allocated per pitch. I paid a visit there this morning to see if the site looked ok and was not disappointed.

Fishing wise, looks to be an easy venue with lots of Carp, Tench, Bream and Barbel, not my usual type of fishing (I prefer 'proper' Carp and Barbel venues) but should keep me entertained. I do have a bit of a thing about keeping Barbel in lakes as it doesn't seem natural, but if they are thriving who am I to argue?

Cafe looked nice as did the breakfasts they were serving, there is even a small bar but only open until 4 pm, there is a pub about a mile away though.

Cost me £57 for 2 nights including EHU and that does include the cost of fishing.

Anybody been?

http://www.waterloofarmleisure.co.uk/

 

[Cat53]

2 swims per pitch? Enlighten me please....

 

[The Wino]

I think he means areas of water to fish in might be a bit slimy for the other sort of swimming!!

 

[joka250]

We live nearby and have used it occasionally and always good and homely. Don't fish so can't comment on that. Not everybodies cup of tea but we Like it.

 

[Armytwowheels]

This is our usual haunt when back in the UK. We have been spending our summer months here for the last 4 or 5 years. Have been away this week but back tomorrow for a few days, then off to the Thetford meet.

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[Robmac]

2 swims per pitch? Enlighten me please....

I do apologise, I should've said 2 platforms per pitch to fish from with exclusive use from the pitch.

 

[Armytwowheels]

For yours and others info - Market Harborough is just a short 5 minute drive from the campsite. Alternatively there is the Brampton Valley Way which runs right past the site and into the centre of the town, providing flat, traffic free cycling or walking into the centre.

There is loads of eating and shopping opportunities with the town being 50% independent shops and 50% the usual chain shops.

Foxton Locks is nearby and worth well worth a visit.

 

[joka250]

For yours and others info - Market Harborough is just a short 5 minute drive from the campsite. Alternatively there is the Brampton Valley Way which runs right past the site and into the centre of the town, providing flat, traffic free cycling or walking into the centre.

There is loads of eating and shopping opportunities with the town being 50% independent shops and 50% the usual chain shops.

Foxton Locks is nearby and worth well worth a visit.

I couldn't have put it better. The only thing I would add is that the Brampton Valley way also is interesting in the Northampton direction passing through a couple of long tunnels.

 

[Ironside]

We used to stay a lot, new fishing platforms since the last stay but last stay was not good toilets where disgusting and bins overflowing when we got there on the Thursday and where still the same on the Sunday.

Guy next to us set his fishing rods up cast out and then left with his kids on bikes for the day, Alarms going off in the end I went over played the carp and brought his rods in, he was not happy and proceeded to leave them back out again at night alarms going off even with signs saying no fishing at night. Wasn’t impressed with staff response so won’t be back.

 

[Armytwowheels]

They do have a new facilities cleaner now and the showers are being kept very well.

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[2x2camper]

The site was quite busy when we cycled past yesterday

 

[Robmac]

Thanks for all the replies.

We're having a couple of nights in Stiffkey, Norfolk starting today and then to Waterloo farm on Tuesday.

I'm looking forward to it and will report back.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Thanks for all the replies.

We're having a couple of nights in Stiffkey, Norfolk starting today and then to Waterloo farm on Tuesday.

I'm looking forward to it and will report back.

Come and say hello, we are pitch no 22.

 

[joka250]

Come and say hello, we are pitch no 22.

Careful saying that you'll have all us local Funsters queuing up.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Careful saying that you'll have all us local Funsters queuing up.

Well, that can only mean one thing, a mini meet!

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[Robmac]

Come and say hello, we are pitch no 22.

Sorry I missed your post as we were having a couple of nights in Norfolk before heading to Waterloo farm.

We were on pitch number 54 which is the one on the corner of the Wellington lake nearest to the toilet/shower building. We were in a Renault Master PVC with a light grey and a dark grey stripe with a rather cantankerous Boxer dog sitting outside.

Great place, I shall summarise later.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Ah, we have just left for the Thetford Bash. I did see your lovely dog yesterday though. Have a lovely stay.

 

[Robmac]

OK to sum up;

Arrived at the site and booked in at the cafe where we were met by a very friendly chap who talked us through the rules briefly and then offered to escort us down to our pitch. We declined as we had previously visited for a recce and knew where we were going. We had a very nice coffee and then drove down to our pitch.

The pitch was huge with EHU and waterpoint and 2 fishing platforms for our exclusive use. There is a hardstanding area with a strip of grassed area between that and the lake. You are parked about 10 feet from the waters edge. We were on pitch 54 which is close to the shower/toilet buildings. The site is surrounded by rolling countryside which was a pleasure to wake up to in the morning.

There is a cafe on site, as mentioned. We had the light breakfast which was £4.60 and very nice. There is also a small shop which sells the usual supplies as well as a limited range of fishing tackle and run by a very nice and helpful young couple.

The shower/toilet facilities are basic and functional. There are 2 bathrooms for males in one wooden cabin and 2 for females in the other. The bathrooms are private and huge with a shower and toilet as well as a chair and table, it would have been possible to double the amount of facilities in each cabin at the expense of room/privacy but we never had to wait to use the facilities at any time during our stay. The facilities were clean and we have no complaints whatsoever about them.

My only gripe is that you are not allowed to drink alcohol outside your van which seems a bit harsh to not be able to sit in the sun next to your BBQ with a nice cold beer in your hand, but, them's the rules!

Fishing wise, I noticed as soon as I got there that they Carp were thrashing about in the margins so I immediately thought "spawning". I could have literally leaned over and pulled a double figure Carp out with my bare hands! There were also a few Carp feeding on the top, but as you are not allowed to use floating baits, this was not an option. Over the 2 days, I only hooked one Carp which I had on for a couple of minutes before it managed to shed my size 14 barbless hook. It felt like t was probably a double, but I never got to see the fish so can't be sure. I only saw one Carp caught by another angler which I reckon was probably about 7lb. Judging by the number of Carp I saw in there, I would say that you could have a really good day's sport if they were interested in feeding instead of getting a fin over!

I persevered with sweetcorn and luncheon meat and wasn't disappointed, a steady stream of Roach, Chub, Bream, Rudd and even a small Barbel. They were all very nicely conditioned fish, generally about 6-7oz with a few a bit bigger. Luncheon meat was by far the best bait and sometimes I was playing a fish within a couple of seconds of casting in. Keepnets are not allowed but I am sure if it was a match, I would have had a very substantial weight of fish over the day.

We had stunning weather during our visit which was the icing on the cake. We will certainly be returning here!

 

[Armytwowheels]

My only gripe is that you are not allowed to drink alcohol outside your van which seems a bit harsh to not be able to sit in the sun next to your BBQ with a nice cold beer in your hand, but, them's the rules

That's news to me, we sit out all the time with a drink while BBQ-ing. May be it is a rule for the lake side pitches because you are so close to the water. Personally I would have ignored that rule, or put your beer in a mug!

Glad you enjoyed your stay though.

 

[Robmac]

That's news to me, we sit out all the time with a drink while BBQ-ing. May be it is a rule for the lake side pitches because you are so close to the water. Personally I would have ignored that rule, or put your beer in a mug!

Glad you enjoyed your stay though.

I found the rule a bit strange, perhaps it is in there to cover themselves. It is the first rule in the 'Camp Rules' which are attached to the email they send with your booking confirmation.

"Park Rules

• Alcohol may only be consumed in your caravan, motorhome or Log Cabin. Drinking outside of these is strictly forbidden and offence may result in your booking being terminated."

Perhaps it's one of those rules they turn a blind eye to.

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[Armytwowheels]

Well I never. I have been staying there for the last 5 years and never had a copy of the rules given to me and have never been told off for drinking outside the van.

I think you are right, they have a mass of rules and can apply them if needed.

There was one guy who had a long term pitch on the lake who was regularly too drunk to walk straight, how he didn't fall in and drown I will never know.

 

[Robmac]

View from my van.

 

[Robmac]

The pitch

 

[poki]

Looks a great place for fishing......It says on the uk campsite that it has a bar, restaurant and evening entertainment ??? but not sure if this correct can you confirm @Robmac as you have been recently..thanks

Silvia

 

[Robmac]

They have a small bar in the cafe but I never saw it in use, nor did I see any signs of evening entertainment or where it may be held. They do serve food all day in the cafe including Sunday lunches.

Perhaps in high season they may put on entertainment but I cannot confirm.

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[Armytwowheels]

Looks a great place for fishing......It says on the uk campsite that it has a bar, restaurant and evening entertainment ??? but not sure if this correct can you confirm @Robmac as you have been recently..thanks

Silvia

Definitely no entertainment. They do a Friday steak night once a fortnight and the bar is open most afternoon, but shuts when the tea room does. You can also get a reasonable Sunday lunch too.

 

[poki]

ok thank you both

 

[Go_buddy_go_]

Latest update.. we’ve been twice in the last couple of months. Great adult only site with lakeside fishing pitches.2 pegs per pitch. Big pitches. 2 separate cabins for ladies and gents with showers etc. cafe/ bar on site but it closes at 5. ( didn’t use) BBQ’d outside the moho and were able to consume alcohol outside too! Lovely pub about 3/4 mile away in the village (the George) with fabulous food!

 

[phil_in_npton]

Good Morning!

Only just seen this thread, and thought I must add my bit!
We live in Northampton and I work from Market Harborough so drive past it regularly. It was our first “ go to” place last year when we first got our motorhome because of its proximity.
We are not fishers so probably didn’t get the best out of the site however it suited us just fine for what we needed.
It’s quiet as set a good bit off the main road, staff we found very helpful and friendly. Cafe, very good quality albeit at a leisurely pace ( suited us).
Good walks either way along Brampton Valley Way, bit annoying the number of folk letting dogs run loose along it though.
Toilet/showers probably come under “adequate “ category. Lots of shops in Market Harborough good for a browse. Foxton Locks a good place to visit.
Now we are a bit more experienced and confident it probably isn’t our first choice
but for fishing people I imagine it is ideal!

Phil in Northampton

View attachment 782069

 

[phil_in_npton]

Question

How do I remove a photo!

Phil in Northampton

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