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Birchwater France

where dreams come true

Join the list of our guests that catch amazing pristine carp in a truly beautiful place. Plenty of big and up & coming fish to catch. Our average weight is 35lbs with fish to mid-fifties. Only lightly fished with around 12 groups per season these fish are rested and ready to do battle

quality facilities

At base you have a heated shower room and W.C, whilst bankside at the Anglers Rest you can relax and have a social, recharge batteries, connect to the Wi-Fi and grab a cold drink from the fridge. For extra luxury why not take the boathouse with a choice of private swims.

service you always wished for

Choose to drive and bring your own gear (bivvy supplied); or fly (with airport transfer) all tackle supplied. Have the whole lake to yourselves with an exclusive booking. We’ll be there to help in any way we can; our job is to give you a trip of a lifetime.

the fishing

Birchwater has still only been relatively lightly fished with an average of 12 weeks per year since the main three stockings of carp.  These fish are young hard fighting mirrors and commons that run to the mid-fifties at present.  With around 300 carp the action can be hectic and it’s not unusual for a group to land upwards of 30 carp in a week, some memorable weeks have thrown up totals of 67,74,75 and a new week’s record of 85 fish on the bank.  Most of the fish caught are pristine and that’s how we want to keep it.  The Fishery closes after spawning for the hot summer period to allow the carp to recover stress free.

The Fish don’t give up easily and as Paul said ‘They fight like Titan Warriors’.  If you are looking for real carp fishing for pristine big carp, then we have what you want here at Birchwater.

Whilst we have a lot of big fish to catch there are also many fish in the 25-35lb bracket which provide a lot of runs to keep everyone happy. Many of these were spawned in the lake 2018 and are reaching weights of 30lbs now.

With an exclusive booking the fishing is all from one side of the lake and whilst every swim has a large expanse of water, it’s also easy to get together for a social at the bankside Angler’s Rest situated centrally.  This gives a place to eat and grab a cold drink and take advantage of charging points, whilst leaving your lines in the water.  Come and have a chat and beer whilst your food is getting prepared.

All swims have bivvies set up for you to use, and all nets, slings and cradles are supplied by us; cutting down on the gear you need to bring.  Hire of bed chair, chair and bivvy table is also available along with a full tackle set up as well as bait boat option.

the lake

swim

“Birchwater is a 6 hectare spring and stream fed lake with a maximum depth of 5m, some shallows and a mixture of hard and soft lakebed areas. There are 6 swims, with 2 doubles and The Boathouse has 2 private swims A+B. You can relax on the deck listening to the carp crashing out. Speaking English and French there is always someone around to help;  maybe to point you in the direction of a hotspot or to take some photos of your new PB.  Birchwater is in the green and rolling landscape of the Limousin region, on the border with the Dordogne. It is surrounded by woodland and pasture and you quickly find yourself appreciating the environment and noticing the sights and sounds of being in the middle of the countryside, big skies and the stars at night are amazing. Looking forward to welcoming you here to Birchwater very soon”

Boathouse Swim A: Here you get control of the main body of water to the south end. with access to the island which always produces fish.
Birchwater swims and facilities
Boathouse Swim B: This is arguably one of the best spots on the lake. With the prolific tree line to the right and the deeper water of the main bowl, the carp are often there in numbers.
swim carp fishing
THE ISLAND: this swim gets its name from a small island that marks the direction of an inlet. Plenty of varying depth and bottom types here . Choose from hard gravely, firm clay or silt as spots to place your baits. Also within reach from here is the start of the causeway a sunken track like line of rocky hard bottom, quite shallow, that runs diagonally across the lake. We think it may once have been a lane that traversed the site before the lake was created.
swim birchwater carp
THE STUMPS:The Stumps are no longer there in force but this area attracts a lot of fish and is the shallowest of the lake. However don’t be put off the fish love getting up there and in good numbers too. When they spawn in March time it’s here they come to do it.
THE OAKS:Here a bait boat doesn’t go amiss for dragging your lines out to the tree lined margin on the far side. The strip of sandy/clay bottom between the trees and the silt is a favorite spot for the lakes residents often producing the commons, why? I have no idea. The area at 10-20ms out can also be super productive especially in the mornings as the carp patrol around looking for breakfast.
DEAD TREE: A very dead Alder tree to the left of the swim overhangs a margin along which the carp love to patrol. Stopping to feed here they often hole up in hot weather under the big Birch to the right. A short cast out in front will get a bait to the edge of the causeway or the silty channel of the inlet stream.
THE ROX:So called due to the underground terrain. Whilst excavating the land we had to dig out some mighty big stones, which were used to create the swim. So don’t go expecting to get your banksticks in here, best use the pod. The Rox is at one end of the dam and the lake bed here reflects the name with a few boulders around on a firm sandy base which slopes off to silt a bit further out. The carp love feeding on the areas where the two meet.
BIRCHES:Birches is at the entrance to the top bay where the fish enjoy soaking up the sun and feeding in the silt. To the left the same drop off as the Rocks can be fished further along it’s length and a large body of deeper water in front of the dam. Close in to the right as the margin drops away has produced some of the best fish.

the facilities

the Angler's Rest

Tucked away around the back of the lake, it’s a large deck area with simple facilities, a space for anglers to get together for breakfast, a beer, lunch or dinner, watch the sun go down, share stories and generally chill out.

BWHQ

The beating heart of the operation, bait and equipment store, kitchen, shower and WC with central heating and drying facilities. Security boxes and charging points, fridge and freezers

Birchwater boathouse france

the Boathouse

Lakeside, self contained accommodation for a bit of extra comfort, use it as a base, perfect for non-anglers to have a holiday whilst keeping an eye on events on the lake

accommodation

boathouse carp fishing
Deck
Balcony
Bathroom
Hammock
Upstairs bed
Double bed
Upstairs
Kitchen
Kitchen
Lounge
Sofabed
Your chef
Across lake

the old stone boathouse..

..has been at the lake for years, recently renovated to provide modern home comforts with a fully equipped bathroom and kitchen, a double bed and a hammock at the top of the stairs, a wood burner in the lounge area where there is also a comfortable sofa bed and a bbq on the deck. There are 2 swims at the cabin plus the pontoon. Appreciated by non anglers and anglers alike, the cabin can be a welcome bit of comfort.

Depending on your set up, bed linen, duvets and pillows, towels and tea-towels can be provided. There is a cupboard with a few essentials provided like tea, coffee, S+P; washing up liquid and shower gel and loo rolls. Music can bring you your meals here too.

The lake is on the edge of the Corrèze, Haute Vienne and Dordogne. Take a day trip and visit a local chateau, canoe down the Dordogne river, visit Sarlat or the caves at Tourtoirac, do a bit of shopping in Limoges, Brive or Perigueux and pick up some porcelaine or an apple tart to take back to the cabin in time for tea.

There’s plenty to enjoy at the cabin if you don’t fish, no need to go anywhere… Accompany your angler and enjoy time to yourself, read, paint, walk round the lake or take the lanes into the village and back. Keep your eyes open and you might catch sight of the Kingfishers, Osprey and Egret that visit the lake. Or let them close and enjoy a peaceful siesta.

booking

We have 3 main booking options ⇩, but please don’t hesitate to contact us if you don’t see what you’re looking for. 2024 prices per week start from £250 per angler.

Bivvies are set up in all swims along with nets cradles slings etc and included in the holiday price.

For a maximum of 6 Anglers

Drive and survive £300 per angler/week.

Lake exclusive £1500 / week

Make you own way here, stop off on route, bring your own equipment. We are a little over 6 hours from the port of Le Havre and 7 hours from Calais. Option for exclusive use of the lake and choice of food package.

If you’d rather not drive, we can pick you up from the airport and sort you out with all the kit you will need for your stay. Limoges airport is an easy 50 minutes away.

What’s available on site (save space in the car)

Bivvies are set up in all swims along with nets cradles slings etc and included in the holiday price.

Other Rentals

Bed chair, Easy Chair and Bivvy table pack £50 week

Full set up: The above plus rods, reels pod indicators in short all you need except terminal tackle and sleeping bag. Pack £120 week

Bait boat £80 week

Bait Boat with Addition of auto pilot £100

Book the boathouse and its’ 2 swims to either side, options for exclusive lake use and catering – dinner served on the boathouse deck.

The best of all worlds – exclusive use of the lake, the boathouse, fully catered, pre-baited swims, plus airport transfers and kit hire if you choose to fly. Day trips and shorter outings for non-anglers can be arranged.

To make a booking enquiry don’t hesitate to get in touch with:
..the dates you’d like to come
..how many people you’ll be
..how you’ll be travelling
..if you’d like the boathouse
..whether you want catered
..and if there’s any kit you might need..

* call Music on 00 33 (0) 640 30 70 90 for a chat

* email with your enquiry to info@birchwater.co.uk

* or send us a message using the form below :

LATEST :

ESSEX CARP SHOW date changed to 3rd & 4th February 2024 at North Weald Airfield, Merlin Way, Epping,CM16 6HR. 9am-4pm both days.

Come and see us at Stand 105, just inside main entrance 2. Music and a group of anglers that know Birchwater will be there to answer any questions you might have and take your booking. Plus there are competitions for a free holiday and tackle…

Road Directions

Entry to the show and North Weald Airfield is via the A414 from the M11 or Ongar Chelmsford directions. There is no direct access from North Weald Village itself.

Public Transport Directions

London Underground – take the Central Line to Epping Station, this is the closest station.  

British Rail to Harlow Station from Liverpool Street or Cambridge via Stansted Airport.

where we are

Get in touch with any questions you have, leave your phone number in the message for a call back:

PRIVACY POLICY – We do not collect your data, do not use cookies and will not share your name or email address with any other party, any information you send us will be used solely in order to reply to you.

what they say

"71 fish (wow) up to 49lb with an average weight of 34lb , for over 10 years we’ve been looking for a venue that fulfils everyone’s wants from a fishing holiday and we all agree we’ve now found it and will be returning year after year now. …you have no idea what size fish you’ve hooked until its on the bank as every single fish wants to fight you all the way in… Can’t wait to return next year to see the growth of the fish but I have no doubt we will be in to the 50’s this time next year and plenty of them. Can’t thank Music enough for the way he looked after the group and consider him a friend for life."
Kevin
Spring 2023
"Holiday 26th March 2022 a great holiday had by all of us, we fished 5 nights and 5 and half days and had 42 fish to over 41lb. Accommodation is first class very clean and everything you need for your trip. Very comfortable and great location on the lake. Plenty of walks for the two girls who were non fishing guests and very very relaxing. Hope to see you all again and Music was a very good host and very helpful. "
Paul
Spring 2022
"Thanks again for a great week mate. Perfect hosting and an awesome venue and boathouse. 💪 "
Daniel
Summer 2023
"100% recommend, it's a lovely lake and accommodation - Music the owner is brilliant really nice guy, there to help if and when needed"
Vernon
Summer 2020
"The fish just kept on coming.. what a week and what a lot of beautiful carp...see you next year."
Craig Autumn 2023
"From the moment we arrived the location, the setting, the weather and the owner were first class"
Andy
Autumn 2020
"Facilities at the lake are excellent and are suitable for anglers of all different needs. The food package is highly recommended as the owner goes above and beyond to satisfy everybody's needs and wants"
Christopher
Autumn 2019
"Had a amazing week fishing. My wife loved it as a non angling guest. The boathouse really is the best accommodation on a fishing lake I have ever seen. In beautiful surroundings and the fish put up a hell of a fight. Music the owner is a really nice guy who can't do enough to ensure you are enjoying your fishing holiday"
Paul
Summer 2019
"Hi Music , I’m back to normality now but I’ve realised I really love fishing again and I owe that to you , I’d like to say a massive thank you for making my Dad Clay and myself feel so welcome and being in general real nice bloke." Sean.
Sean
Spring 2023
"Birchwater is possibly the most atmospheric and beautiful lakes I've had the pleasure to fish in France and spending the week in the Boathouse accommodation made it all the more special. The fishing was terrific, the carp are in excellent condition and fight incredibly hard"
Mike
Spring 2019
"Had the best time perfect fishing for two couples…The boathouse was fantastic as was the food…Already booked for next year"
Paul
Autumn 2023
"Surpassed all our expectations, everyone caught fish and plenty of them…75 fish in the week including some real lumps."
Danny
Autumn 2022
"The facilities were top class. Lovely shower and all you need for a weeks fishing. The food was incredible and really good value"
Martin
Spring 2020
"The boathouse had everything needed for my family…Two of us fished the others just chilled. It was perfect and some big carp caught as well."
Ian
Summer 2023
"The boathouse is a dream set right by the lake with a view to relax to in the morning with the sun on you and into the evening watching the sunsets"
Vernon
July 2020
"We caught 49 fish in total…average weight over 30lb…I can tell you that we all had a great time, thank you for looking after us so well, for me it was “a holiday of a lifetime'.”
Gordon
Summer 2023
"Nothing was too much trouble for Music and we have left with great memories, a new friend, smiles on our faces. We look forward to returning back soon"
Andy
Autumn 2020
"If you wanna catch hard fighting fish from a lovely established lake, with freindly, helpful, tips from owner, this is your place. Loads of wildlife to keep you entertained as well"
Garry
Summer 2020

your host

…Carpentry, music, sailing, skiing, but always fishing, always always about the fishing for Music.

Having started fishing as a nipper in Hertfordshire with his Grandad… well of course there’s lots more to tell, to find out the rest you’ll have to come and have a chat over the rods…

Birchwater social

the merch

Keep your Birchwater memories alive, pick up your hoodie and t-shirt while you’re here, if you just can’t wait or you can’t imagine life without one then get in touch and we’ll be very happy to put them in the post to you.

birch water carp fishing hoodie

Birchwater Hoodie

Really comfortable, will definitely become your go to in a colour that goes with everything

S – M – L – XL – XXL : 35€

Birchwater t-shirt carp fishing

Birchwater T-Shirt

With our logo loud and proud, in classic, quality 100% cotton, washes well

S – M – L – XL – XXL :  15€

Cool Bankside Playlist
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