Scenic UK carp lake at dawn

Fishery guide · Shropshire

Boldings Pools

Boldings Pools near Bridgnorth is a sprawling mixed-coarse venue with plenty of choice for pleasure and match anglers. There’s a café, free entrance parking and adult day fishing at £10 — just check the opening-time clash and get the bait rules bob on before heading over.

“7.7/10 — The mixed-coarse species list, pleasure and match options, and distinct pool descriptions give anglers plenty to work with.”

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The lowdown

Boldings Pools sits at Astley Abbotts, near Bridgnorth, with WV16 4SS the postcode to aim for. This is a proper multi-pool coarse venue rather than one big lake with everyone squeezed around it. The main description gives 14 pools and approximately 300 pegs, although another heading says 15 pools. Either way, there’s plenty to get your head around when choosing where to settle in for the day.

  • 8 lakes: Acorn, Ash, Beech, Deepdale, Hawthorns, Larch, Sycamore, Stock
  • Fish: carp, barbel
  • Tickets from: Adult day-fishing ticket — £10
  • Find it: Bridgnorth · WV16 4SS

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Boldings Pools

Bridgnorth · WV16 4SS

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The full rundown on Boldings Pools

Boldings Pools sits at Astley Abbotts, near Bridgnorth, with WV16 4SS the postcode to aim for. This is a proper multi-pool coarse venue rather than one big lake with everyone squeezed around it. The main description gives 14 pools and approximately 300 pegs, although another heading says 15 pools. Either way, there’s plenty to get your head around when choosing where to settle in for the day.

The fishery-wide species list covers common, mirror, ghost, crucian and hybrid carp, plus tench, bream, roach, rudd and perch. Larch also lists barbel, while Stock lists mixed coarse fish and carp around 20lb. That gives the place a broad mixed-fishing appeal, without making every pool a carbon copy. Don’t assume that whole species list applies to every swim, though: the individual pool descriptions don’t all spell out their fish.

There’s a useful spread of layouts and peg counts. Ash has 23 pegs beside woodland, Deepdale is a sheltered 14-peg pool, and Hawthorns has 15 pegs with a small island. Sycamore is bigger on peg numbers, with 50 and a split peninsula. Stock brings another point of difference, with depths reaching approximately 12 feet. Those are handy features to weigh up, rather than simply picking the first empty peg you spot.

Beech has 30 pegs and is described for both pleasure and match fishing. Elsewhere, Chestnut has 40, Oak has 30, Middle has 11 and Larch has 28. Hazel, Holly and Willows also appear among the named pools. Acorn needs a quick check if you’re planning around numbers: the overview says 14 pegs, but its own page says 10. Pool acreage isn’t published, so peg counts are the useful comparison here, not guessed sizes.

Before sorting your bait bag, have a proper look at the restrictions. Barbless hooks only, with size 10 the maximum, and no groundbait, hemp or boilies among the prohibited baits. Loose-fed pellets must be the fishery’s own, and pellet or method feeders must use those too. Meat, paste and bread are hookbaits only. That’s worth getting straight before you mix anything up at home — no point creating extra faff before you’ve even picked a swim.

The practical side looks handy: two entrance car parks offer free parking, and there are toilets, a match room and the Country Kitchen café. Cash and cards are accepted. Blue Badge holders may drive to a pool with permission; other poolside parking carries a small charge. Adult day fishing is £10, with concession tickets available. Check admission times before travelling, as the published notices conflict, and confirm the youngest junior ticket’s age limit too. A little planning should keep those avoidable questions out of your fishing day.

Straight from anglers online

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Boldings Pools FAQs

Where is Boldings Pools?

At Astley Abbotts, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 4SS. The mapped location marks the fishery rather than a surveyed entrance.

What time can I arrive, and is night fishing available?

The fishery is open throughout the year. The homepage says daily admission from 08:15, while the footer gives autumn/winter hours of 08:00–18:30. Confirm before travelling. Night-fishing availability isn’t confirmed.

Is there a café and parking?

Yes. Country Kitchen opens at 07:30 except Fridays; confirm closing times. Two entrance car parks offer free parking, and toilets and a match room are available.

What are the day-ticket prices?

Adults pay £10, over-65s £8 and under-16s £6. A £5 junior ticket is also listed, but the homepage says under-12s and the overview says under-14s, so check eligibility. An extra rod costs £1. Cash and cards are accepted.

Where's the nearest tackle shop?

We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Boldings Pools. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Bridgnorth.

Do I need to bring food?

There's country kitchen café 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?

Yes — two free entrance car parks. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.

What's the postcode for the sat nav?

WV16 4SS.

How much is a ticket?

Adult day-fishing ticket: £10; Over-65 day-fishing ticket: £8; Under-16 day-fishing ticket: £6; junior day ticket: homepage specifies under-12s, but pools overview says under-14s; confirm eligibility.: £5; Extra rod: £1; Fishery pellets: from £2. Prices last checked 2026-10-05 — they can change, so check before you go.

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

Day tickets are available on Acorn, Ash, Beech, Deepdale, Hawthorns, Larch, Sycamore, Stock. 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, barbel. See each lake tab for which fish live where.

How many lakes are there?

8 — Acorn (Not published), Ash (Not published), Beech (Not published), Deepdale (Not published), Hawthorns (Not published), Larch (Not published), Sycamore (Not published), Stock (Not published).

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?

Yes, it's required — Only barbless hooks are permitted, maximum size 10.

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.