Scenic UK carp lake at dawn

Fishery guide · Devon

Upham Farm Carp Ponds

A long-running, family-run day-ticket complex of seven spring-fed ponds in the East Devon countryside near Exeter, running from beginner-friendly waters up to a 32lb-plus specimen lake.

“7.4/10 — Seven ponds, from easy runs-water to a specimen lake.”

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The lowdown

Upham Farm has been fishing since the early 1970s, when spring-fed Pond 1 was cleared and Ponds 2, 3 and 4 were dug; Ponds 5 and 6 followed in the 1980s with tench introduced, and in 2008 a much bigger Specimen Lake 7 was built, opening in 2009.

  • 3 lakes: Specimen Lake 7, Pond 2, Pond 5
  • Fish: carp, tench, bream
  • Tickets from: Day ticket, Ponds 1–6 (2 rods) — £12.00
  • Find it: Farringdon · EX5 2HZ

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Upham Farm Carp Ponds

Farringdon · EX5 2HZ

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The full rundown on Upham Farm Carp Ponds

Upham Farm has been fishing since the early 1970s, when spring-fed Pond 1 was cleared and Ponds 2, 3 and 4 were dug; Ponds 5 and 6 followed in the 1980s with tench introduced, and in 2008 a much bigger Specimen Lake 7 was built, opening in 2009.

It's a genuinely varied day-ticket complex on one site — smaller beginner ponds (2, 3, 6) sit alongside bigger mixed waters (4, 5) and the specimen-carp Lake 7, which the official site says now holds over 50 specimen fish, headed by a 32lb 8oz common carp.

Third-party aggregated Google reviews (via an Exa library listing) describe it as a 'beautiful fishery' with a small on-site caravan site and a helpful owner; one 2023 reviewer said they'd 'been coming back so often it's unreal... love it,' while also noting Pond 7 is 'a very hard but satisfying' specimen challenge.

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.

  • “Lovely lakes and friendly staff! Toilets are well kept, always clean. It's so peaceful and quiet, and a beautiful place with a good variety of fish.”

    — Jack Alders, 29 Oct 2020 · FishAdviser

  • “Only just taken up fishing very good lakes well laid out helpful advice from owner and other fishers.”

    — DAVE PARTRIDGE, 15 Oct 2021 · FishAdviser

Upham Farm Carp Ponds FAQs

How many ponds are there at Upham Farm?

Seven — Ponds 1 to 6 plus Specimen Lake 7, opened in 2009.

What's the biggest carp caught at Upham Farm?

The fishery's own site states the best fish from Specimen Lake 7 is a 32lb 8oz common carp.

Is there somewhere to stay on site?

Yes — reviewers mention a small on-site caravan site with a handful of hardstanding pitches, bookable separately from day-ticket fishing.

Where's the nearest tackle shop?

We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Upham Farm Carp Ponds. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Farringdon.

Do I need to bring food?

We haven't seen any food on site, so bring your own grub and drinks. A flask and a stove (where allowed) make a long day much better.

Are there toilets on site?

Yes — the fishery lists on-site toilets.

Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?

Yes — large car park. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.

What's the postcode for the sat nav?

EX5 2HZ. EX5 2HZ/EX5 2JA covers Upham Farm near Farringdon — different public listings give slightly different postcodes for the same entrance off the A3052, about four miles from M5 Junction 30, so follow the fishery's own driving directions rather than relying on satnav alone.

How much is a ticket?

Day ticket, Ponds 1–6 (2 rods): £12.00; Day ticket, Specimen Lake 7 (third-party listing): £12.00; 24-hour ticket (third-party listing): £22.00. Prices last checked £12 Ponds 1–6 figure from official charges page; Lake 7 day and 24hr figures from a third-party directory dated July 2026 — confirm current prices with the fishery before travelling — they can change, so check before you go.

Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?

Day tickets are available on Specimen Lake 7, Pond 2, Pond 5. 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, tench, bream. See each lake tab for which fish live where.

How many lakes are there?

3 — Specimen Lake 7 (unconfirmed), Pond 2 (unconfirmed), Pond 5 (unconfirmed).

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?

No — Barbless hooks only.

Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?

Yes, it's required — Padded unhooking mats must be used on Specimen Lake 7.

Is it suitable for disabled anglers?

The fishery lists disabled access to specimen lake 7 and pond 6. Ring ahead to check which swims suit you.

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.

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