Scenic UK carp lake at dawn

Fishery guide · Dorset

Coking Farm Fishery

Coking Farm Fishery near Gillingham packs ten lakes into a 52-acre complex, with carp fishing, catfish in Alder and overnight sessions available. There’s a tackle shop, showers and café delivery to your swim — just get the booking terms and your lake’s price straight before loading the car.

“7.1/10 — Confirmed carp and catfish options plus night fishing give useful scope, though stock sizes and catch expectations aren’t established.”

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The lowdown

Coking Farm is a proper multi-lake option near Gillingham in Dorset, with ten lakes across 52 acres and an official postcode of SP8 5SF. The fishery reports an average lake size of five acres, so there’s plenty to weigh up before picking your water. Don’t treat the whole place as one interchangeable ticket, though: lake choice affects prices, booking arrangements and, on Oak and Meadow, who can fish.

  • 8 lakes: Birch, Alder, Oak, Meadow, Woodland, Long, Rush, Chestnut
  • Fish: carp, catfish
  • Tickets from: 2027 Birch/Clover/Orchard/Woodland/Long/Rush — £37.50/24h; £20/day when available.
  • Find it: Gillingham · SP8 5SF

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Coking Farm Fishery

Gillingham · SP8 5SF

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The full rundown on Coking Farm Fishery

Coking Farm is a proper multi-lake option near Gillingham in Dorset, with ten lakes across 52 acres and an official postcode of SP8 5SF. The fishery reports an average lake size of five acres, so there’s plenty to weigh up before picking your water. Don’t treat the whole place as one interchangeable ticket, though: lake choice affects prices, booking arrangements and, on Oak and Meadow, who can fish.

For a straightforward starting point, Birch is confirmed as stocking carp, while Alder has both carp and catfish. That makes Alder worth a look if you want those two species on the agenda. Beyond that, keep your expectations sensible: the supplied details don’t put numbers or weights against the fish. Choose around the fishing you fancy, rather than banking on a particular size of lump or a promised PB.

Session length is a big part of the planning here. Specimen bookings have a minimum of 48 hours, with 24-hour bookings accepted during the same week. Full payment is required when booking, and availability enquiries need to be made by telephone rather than email. Ring the fishery to talk through your options. Alder also offers walk-in day tickets starting at 09:00, which gives shorter-session anglers a clearly stated route in.

Keep an eye on the dates attached to the prices, too. The published 2027 list groups Birch, Clover, Orchard, Woodland, Long and Rush together, with Oak and Meadow in a higher-priced bracket. Chestnut needs an extra check because its 2027 prices differ from the figures in an undated section. Alder has its own day, 24-hour and 48-hour prices. A quick call before committing saves that awkward bit of faff when your budget and the ticket don’t match.

The practical side looks handy for a longer stay. Toilets, showers and fresh water are provided, there’s an on-site tackle shop, and the café delivers to swims. That last one is a cracking convenience when you’re settled in and don’t fancy sorting food. The shop has published daily hours, but those aren’t the fishery’s gate times. Night fishing is available; year-round fishing is mentioned in an older listing, so check your intended dates when you ring.

Before setting up, get the essentials bob on: barbless hooks are required, rods must stay attended, and nets, slings and mats need spraying or dipping. Baitboats are allowed when used responsibly. Oak and Meadow don’t permit under-16s to fish, which matters if you’re planning a family session. With several waters and different ticket arrangements, the best preparation is simple: decide your target, decide your session length, then confirm the right lake and current terms by phone.

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Coking Farm Fishery FAQs

Where is Coking Farm Fishery?

Near Gillingham in Dorset. The official postcode is SP8 5SF; the mapped location is 50.99158, -2.33425.

How many lakes are there?

Ten lakes across 52 acres. The fishery reports an average lake size of five acres; eight individual waters are covered above, with Clover and Orchard also named in the 2027 tariff.

Can I night fish?

Yes, night fishing is available. Specimen bookings have a 48-hour minimum, with 24-hour bookings accepted during the same week.

What facilities are available for longer sessions?

Toilets, showers, fresh water and an on-site tackle shop are provided. The café also delivers to swims.

Where's the nearest tackle shop?

There's on-site tackle shop on site, so you can grab bits on the day. For anything bigger, stock up before you leave home — or order online in advance.

Do I need to bring food?

There's café delivery to swims 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 toilets.

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

The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off. Bring a barrow in case it's a walk.

What's the postcode for the sat nav?

SP8 5SF.

How much is a ticket?

2027 Birch/Clover/Orchard/Woodland/Long/Rush: £37.50/24h; £20/day when available.; 2027 Oak/Meadow: £42.50/24h.; 2027 Chestnut: £30/24h; £15/day.; Chestnut — undated section; confirm before booking: £35/24h; £18/day.; Alder: £18/day; £35/24h; £70/48h.. Prices last checked 2026-10-06 — they can change, so check before you go.

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

Day tickets are available on Alder, Chestnut. 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, catfish. See each lake tab for which fish live where.

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?

Yes — Baitboats are permitted when used responsibly.

Do I need barbless hooks?

Yes, it's required — Use barbless hooks.

Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?

Yes, it's required — Nets, slings and mats require spraying or dipping.

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.