Farlows is the result of gravel extraction which begun as early as the 1930s and gradually saw the near 50 acre site assist in building the nearby M25. The venue as we know it today is a true specimen fishery with a rich abundance of natural food that has been the home of these originally stocked carp for well over 40 years.
While stocking records are hard to come by there is evidence of stockings from Donald Leney himself and various other Sutton, dink and Italian strains. The fish have grown to significant proportions and while the Carp have generally been the biggest attraction specimen Pike, Tench, Bream, Roach and Perch are fished for regularly. Farlows actually held the British Perch record of 5lb 14oz in 1953.
History is extremely important to Farlows and it has been written about by a number of Carp fishing greats including Steve Briggs and Rob Maylin, the lakes are described as one of the first Carp fishing meccas in the UK. Herons point is a well-known place in Carp Fishing circles and while the legendary stories of winter socials may be a thing of the past the stories and the Carp that reached over 30lbs in the 70s and 80s are still spoken of today.
Today’s Farlows has taken into account the modern day angler and as such the creature comforts are there to make for an unforgettable stay. Herons point is now home to a 4,000 square building that houses a café, toilets and showers and a large tackle centre run by Erics Angling. The facilities at Farlows are second to none, the majority of the swims can be parked behind or very nearby and you could spend weeks at the lake without needing to visit the outside world. The lakes offer bays, islands, weedbeds, gravel bars and just about every feature you could possible want.
There are fish that are only a few summers old and original fish that have literally seen every bait development and every rig that has ever been invented. There are more 30s in Farlows per acre than the vast majority of day ticket waters in the UK and as such anglers can never be quite sure what has set their alarm off. Additionally the number of fish over 37lb suggests we should be adding another 5-10 fish to the ever growing list of 40lb plus fish.
