Fishery guide · Buckinghamshire
Farlows Lake
A historic Colne Valley day-ticket complex built on gravel extraction dating back to the 1930s, famous for old, dark, heavily-scaled English carp.
“8.0/10 — Famous for old, dark, heavily-scaled English carp.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Farlows is one of the original Colne Valley gravel pits, with extraction dating back to the 1930s — material from the site reportedly helped build the nearby M25. The fishery leans hard into that history: it says some of its oldest carp descend from stock put in by Donald Leney himself, among other Sutton, Dinkel and Italian strains.
- 2 lakes: Lake 1, Lake 2
- Fish: carp, pike
- Tickets from: Day ticket — £18.50
- Find it: Iver · SL0 9LL
Plan your session
Fishery map of Farlows Lake
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Community reported
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How busy was it?
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Water updates from anglers
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Fishery
Farlows Lake
We haven’t got permission to show venue photos here yet. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Pictures on the fishery’s site · 1
See the official fishery page for its pictures
Which lake suits you?
Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.
The full rundown on Farlows Lake
Farlows is one of the original Colne Valley gravel pits, with extraction dating back to the 1930s — material from the site reportedly helped build the nearby M25. The fishery leans hard into that history: it says some of its oldest carp descend from stock put in by Donald Leney himself, among other Sutton, Dinkel and Italian strains.
It's a cashless, first-come-first-served day-ticket site — no bookings. The complex is built around a 25-acre main lake (Lake 1) and a smaller 5-acre Lake 2, plus stretches of the Colnbrook River and Grand Union Canal.
The site has had a documented history of tackle theft, discussed on CarpForum threads from the early 2010s; more recent forum posts (2020–2021) describe the issue as resolved with better security in place. We've linked the historic concern rather than pretending it never happened.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
“Lake1 is great find the fish find a nice spot and bait up. Don't take particles as there is a big shoal of bream and I mean big shoal.”
— zebedee, 17 Aug 2020 · CarpForum
“I have never fished Farlows even though its only 5 miles from my house ... but as I know 2 people that fish it I phoned them for you and they tell me its very safe well run with no problems at all”
— oldgeezer, 12 Dec 2021 · CarpForum
“The tackle theft issue at Farlows is long gone I believe, some cracking fish in both lakes there.”
— secret-agent, 11 Dec 2021 · CarpForum
Farlows Lake FAQs
Can I turn up to Farlows without booking?
Yes — it's a no-bookings, first-come-first-served day-ticket site, though it's cashless so bring a card.
What's Farlows known for?
Old, dark, heavily-scaled English carp with real angling history — the fishery links its oldest stock back to Donald Leney, and well-known carp anglers have written about fishing it for decades.
Is security still an issue?
Older forum threads (around 2009) raised tackle theft concerns; more recent posts (2021) describe it as resolved, saying the site is 'very safe, well run with no problems'.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Farlows Lake. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Iver.
Do I need to bring food?
There's 4,000 sq ft herons point building with café, toilets and showers listed, but opening times vary, so pack snacks and plenty of water just in case — especially on a long session.
Are there toilets on site?
Yes — the fishery lists 4,000 sq ft herons point building with café, toilets and showers.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
Yes — parking behind or near most swims. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
SL0 9LL. The fishery's own contact details put Farlows at Ford Lane, Iver, Bucks SL0 9LL — some older directories file Iver addresses under Berkshire, so double-check you're heading for the Bucks side of the Colne Valley.
How much is a ticket?
Day ticket: £18.50; 24 hours ticket: Ask on site; Week ticket (1/2/3 rods): Ask on site. Prices last checked 2026-10-01 — they can change, so check before you go.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Day tickets are available on Lake 1, Lake 2. Busy weekends can fill up, so ring ahead if you've got your heart set on a swim.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find carp, pike. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
2 — Lake 1 (25), Lake 2 (5).
Is night fishing allowed?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Can I bring my dog?
Not covered in the rules we've checked. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Are bait boats allowed?
We haven't seen a bait-boat rule listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need barbless hooks?
Most UK fisheries prefer barbless or micro-barbed hooks — ask on arrival if unsure.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Bring one either way — most fisheries expect it and the fish deserve it.
Is it suitable for disabled anglers?
We haven't seen disabled access listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need a rod licence?
Yes — anyone 13 or over fishing in England and Wales needs an Environment Agency rod licence (or Natural Resources Wales in Wales), on top of your fishery ticket.
When's the best time of year to fish here?
Late spring through autumn is prime for most species. Check our live weather edge for this venue before you go — it updates daily.
Anglers' photos
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Day ticket · turn up
Lake 1: the historic 25-acre main lake, famous for old, dark english carp
A historic, huge day-ticket carp water with real pedigree, if you're prepared to work for bites across 25 acres.
- Fishing Quality
- 9/10
- Swims & Banks
- 7/10
- Facilities
- 8/10
- Ease of Access
- 8/10
- Value for Money
- 7/10
Estimated 1,200 carp with a 44lb 6oz record and 10-15 different forties, per the fishery.
Bays, islands, weedbeds and gravel bars across a genuinely large pit.
Herons Point building with café, toilets, showers and a tackle centre.
No booking, cashless card payment, first come first served.
£18.50 for a day ticket on a lake with this stock and history is fair value.
- Size
- 25 acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, pike
Lake 1 is the famous one — 25 acres with an estimated 1,200 carp, where anglers like Rob Maylin and Steve Briggs are said to have honed their big-carp skills and written about the water extensively. The fishery describes the original fish as dark, scaley and full of character, distinct from more recently introduced stock.
A 2013 stocking added 20 fast-growing Leney/Dinkel-strain carp up to 22lb, which the fishery says are now growing on nicely. Expect bays, islands, weedbeds and gravel bars across the lake — a proper range of features to read.
A 2020 CarpForum thread on Lake 1 flagged that the lake has at times suffered oxygen issues and periodic weed-cutting boat work, so it's worth checking current conditions with the shop before a long session.
The fishery estimates around 1,200 carp in the lake, averaging 24–26lb, with near 100 different thirties, a lake record of 44lb 6oz and 10–15 different forties.
Lake photographs
A look around Lake 1
Farlows Lake
Lake 1
We’re checking the fishery’s Lake 1 pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Pictures on the fishery’s site · 1
See the official Lake 1 page for its pictures
Suits
- Big-carp historians who want to fish somewhere with real pedigree
- Anglers prepared to find and work a swim across a genuinely large pit
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting a small, intimate day-ticket lake
Bait, rigs & seasons
- A 2020 CarpForum poster said the lake 'is great, find the fish, find a nice spot and bait up', warning newcomers not to bring particles because of a big resident bream shoal. — CarpForum, 2020-08. Older advice, may not hold today.
How we'd fish Lake 1
carp
Solid PVA bag over the snaggy bits
With the island margins and a busy bottom, a solid bag keeps the hook point masked on the drop and sat neatly in a little pile of bait however rough the lakebed is.
- Tie a short, stiff hooklink (4–6in) so it packs into the bag without kinking.
- Fill the bag with a damp crumb mix and pack it tight — loose bags spill on the cast.
- Nick a wafter or small pop-up on the hair so it settles over the mix, not under it.
- Cast a few yards short of the feature, recast every couple of hours with a fresh bag.
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
pike
Static deadbaits for the pike
A smelly deadbait on the bottom near drop-offs or reed lines is the classic, reliable way to find a lake's pike, especially in the colder months.
- Sardine, smelt or mackerel on a wire trace with semi-barbless trebles.
- Strike early — never let a pike run off with the bait.
- Have a long forceps, unhooking mat and big net ready before you cast.
Kit worth a look for this lake
These open Amazon search results — check it’s the right version before you buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Lake 1 FAQs
How big do Lake 1's carp get?
The fishery's own page states a lake record of 44lb 6oz, with 10–15 different forties and close to 100 different thirties.
Is tackle theft still a problem at Farlows?
Older CarpForum threads from around 2009 raised concerns; more recent posts (2021) say new security has resolved it, with posters describing it as 'very safe, well run'.
What's the lake record on Lake 1?
Going by what the fishery says: The fishery estimates around 1,200 carp in the lake, averaging 24–26lb, with near 100 different thirties, a lake record of 44lb 6oz and 10–15 different forties. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Lake 1?
carp, pike. The fishery estimates around 1,200 carp in the lake, averaging 24–26lb, with near 100 different thirties, a lake record of 44lb 6oz and 10–15 different forties.
How big is Lake 1 and how many swims?
Around 25 acres. The historic 25-acre main lake, famous for old, dark English carp.
Which baits work well on Lake 1?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Lake 1 further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Lake 1 get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Lake 1?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Farlows Lake before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Lake 1?
We've got 1 tip for Lake 1 in the tips section above. We don't rank pegs — the fish move, and yesterday's hotspot is today's dead water. Watch the water when you arrive.
Can I fish Lake 1 on a day ticket?
Yes — Lake 1 is on the day ticket. Tickets: Day ticket £18.50; 24 hours ticket Ask on site; Week ticket (1/2/3 rods) Ask on site (last checked 2026-10-01).
Is night fishing allowed on Lake 1?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule for this lake. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Who does Lake 1 suit?
Good for: Big-carp historians who want to fish somewhere with real pedigree; Anglers prepared to find and work a swim across a genuinely large pit. Less suited to: Anyone wanting a small, intimate day-ticket lake.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Day ticket · turn up
Lake 2: a smaller, still well-stocked carp lake alongside the main pit
A smaller but still serious carp lake alongside the main pit, with its own named fish.
- Fishing Quality
- 8/10
- Swims & Banks
- 7/10
- Facilities
- 8/10
- Ease of Access
- 8/10
- Value for Money
- 7/10
Nearly 50 different thirties and a 41lb 2oz record common, per the fishery.
A more manageable 5 acres than Lake 1.
Shared Herons Point facilities.
No booking, cashless, first come first served.
Same day-ticket price as Lake 1.
- Size
- 5 acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, pike
Lake 2 is five acres and, per the fishery, holds an estimated 500-plus carp after a 2013 stocking of 400 fish (6–19lb) and a further 20 (13–17lb) from VS Fisheries, on top of the original stock. Named fish like the Cheesecake Mirror and the Long Common get a mention on the official site.
It's a smaller, slightly more intimate option than Lake 1, without being a lightweight water — the record common here is 41lb 2oz.
The fishery describes nearly 50 different thirties, average weights of 22–24lb, a lake record common of 41lb 2oz and record mirror of 39lb 12oz, plus pike to 17lb 10oz.
Lake photographs
A look around Lake 2
Farlows Lake
Lake 2
We’re checking the fishery’s Lake 2 pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Anglers who want serious carp without Lake 1's scale
- Those chasing a documented named fish
Maybe not for
- Anglers who specifically want Farlows' oldest, biggest-pedigree fish — that reputation sits mostly with Lake 1
Bait, rigs & seasons
- A 2020 CarpForum poster fishing Lake 2 said the carp 'really do shoal up in there' and suggested finding them before lobbing solid bags with small pink hookbaits and a few maggots. — CarpForum, 2020-08. Older advice, may not hold today.
How we'd fish Lake 2
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
carp
A bigger bed of bait at range
On wide, open water the fish move about a lot — a decent bed of bait at range holds a passing group long enough to get a bite.
- Find a clean, hard spot with a marker float and clip up so every cast lands on it.
- Spread the bait with a spod or throwing stick — little and often.
- Mix boilies, pellet and particles so there's always something left for the fish to graze.
- Match the hookbait to the freebies.
pike
Static deadbaits for the pike
A smelly deadbait on the bottom near drop-offs or reed lines is the classic, reliable way to find a lake's pike, especially in the colder months.
- Sardine, smelt or mackerel on a wire trace with semi-barbless trebles.
- Strike early — never let a pike run off with the bait.
- Have a long forceps, unhooking mat and big net ready before you cast.
pike
Lure fishing for the pike
Lures let you cover water and find active pike fast.
- Spinners, jerkbaits and 4–6in soft shads on a 20–30g rod.
- Always use a wire trace — pike bite through mono and fluoro.
- Move every 10–15 casts till you find them; work drop-offs and edges.
Kit worth a look for this lake
These open Amazon search results — check it’s the right version before you buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Lake 2 FAQs
What's Lake 2's record carp?
The fishery states a record common of 41lb 2oz and record mirror of 39lb 12oz.
What's the lake record on Lake 2?
Going by what the fishery says: The fishery describes nearly 50 different thirties, average weights of 22–24lb, a lake record common of 41lb 2oz and record mirror of 39lb 12oz, plus pike to 17lb 10oz. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Lake 2?
carp, pike. The fishery describes nearly 50 different thirties, average weights of 22–24lb, a lake record common of 41lb 2oz and record mirror of 39lb 12oz, plus pike to 17lb 10oz.
How big is Lake 2 and how many swims?
Around 5 acres. A smaller, still well-stocked carp lake alongside the main pit.
Which baits work well on Lake 2?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Lake 2 further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Lake 2 get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Lake 2?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Farlows Lake before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Lake 2?
We've got 1 tip for Lake 2 in the tips section above. We don't rank pegs — the fish move, and yesterday's hotspot is today's dead water. Watch the water when you arrive.
Can I fish Lake 2 on a day ticket?
Yes — Lake 2 is on the day ticket. Tickets: Day ticket £18.50; 24 hours ticket Ask on site; Week ticket (1/2/3 rods) Ask on site (last checked 2026-10-01).
Is night fishing allowed on Lake 2?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule for this lake. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Who does Lake 2 suit?
Good for: Anglers who want serious carp without Lake 1's scale; Those chasing a documented named fish. Less suited to: Anglers who specifically want Farlows' oldest, biggest-pedigree fish — that reputation sits mostly with Lake 1.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Venue Rule Checker
- No
Do I need to book?
No bookings — first come, first served, cashless card payments only.
- No
Can I pay cash?
The fishery states it is a cashless site and only accepts card payments.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 1 October 2026. Rules change — always check with the fishery before you go.
Tips & guides worth reading
How we'd fish each lake
Our own suggestions, worked out from each lake's features, its main fish and the venue rules. They're tried-and-tested methods, not reports from this venue, so watch the water and ask in the tackle shop on the day.
Lake 1
carp
Solid PVA bag over the snaggy bits
With the island margins and a busy bottom, a solid bag keeps the hook point masked on the drop and sat neatly in a little pile of bait however rough the lakebed is.
- Tie a short, stiff hooklink (4–6in) so it packs into the bag without kinking.
- Fill the bag with a damp crumb mix and pack it tight — loose bags spill on the cast.
- Nick a wafter or small pop-up on the hair so it settles over the mix, not under it.
- Cast a few yards short of the feature, recast every couple of hours with a fresh bag.
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
pike
Static deadbaits for the pike
A smelly deadbait on the bottom near drop-offs or reed lines is the classic, reliable way to find a lake's pike, especially in the colder months.
- Sardine, smelt or mackerel on a wire trace with semi-barbless trebles.
- Strike early — never let a pike run off with the bait.
- Have a long forceps, unhooking mat and big net ready before you cast.
Lake 2
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
carp
A bigger bed of bait at range
On wide, open water the fish move about a lot — a decent bed of bait at range holds a passing group long enough to get a bite.
- Find a clean, hard spot with a marker float and clip up so every cast lands on it.
- Spread the bait with a spod or throwing stick — little and often.
- Mix boilies, pellet and particles so there's always something left for the fish to graze.
- Match the hookbait to the freebies.
pike
Static deadbaits for the pike
A smelly deadbait on the bottom near drop-offs or reed lines is the classic, reliable way to find a lake's pike, especially in the colder months.
- Sardine, smelt or mackerel on a wire trace with semi-barbless trebles.
- Strike early — never let a pike run off with the bait.
- Have a long forceps, unhooking mat and big net ready before you cast.
pike
Lure fishing for the pike
Lures let you cover water and find active pike fast.
- Spinners, jerkbaits and 4–6in soft shads on a 20–30g rod.
- Always use a wire trace — pike bite through mono and fluoro.
- Move every 10–15 casts till you find them; work drop-offs and edges.
Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.
- Farlow's Lake 1 thread — CarpForum, 2020-08
- New Carper thread (Farlows discussion) — CarpForum, 2021-12
Videos linked by the fishery
What anglers reckon
8.0/10 from Tackle Index: Famous for old, dark, heavily-scaled English carp.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
“Lake1 is great find the fish find a nice spot and bait up. Don't take particles as there is a big shoal of bream and I mean big shoal.”
— zebedee, 17 Aug 2020 · CarpForum
“I have never fished Farlows even though its only 5 miles from my house ... but as I know 2 people that fish it I phoned them for you and they tell me its very safe well run with no problems at all”
— oldgeezer, 12 Dec 2021 · CarpForum
“The tackle theft issue at Farlows is long gone I believe, some cracking fish in both lakes there.”
— secret-agent, 11 Dec 2021 · CarpForum
Our take on the feedback
Our read
Checked Sept '26 — “A historic Colne Valley day-ticket complex built on gravel extraction dating back to the 1930s, famous for old, dark, heavily-scaled English carp.”
This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.
Angler score
What our readers rate Farlows Lake
No angler score yet — nobody's reviewed Farlows Lake here. Be the first and get the score started.