Docklow Pools is quite simply the best fishing holiday you can have in the uk when you stay here you can catch virtually every species of fish in freshwater. private Stretchers of the river wye and other local rivers . nines pools to choose from snake lakes stock pond tench lake specimen lake full of quality catfish I’ve caught two 35 pounders this year alone handsome grass carp mirrors and commons average size 15 to 30 pounds all the lakes you can catch double figure fish from . The scenery and wildlife is amazing so established is this wonderful area of Herefordshire that’s where some people get docklow wrong. They expect everything sparking new and shiny. But the beauty of docklow is lost on some folk who expect luxury around every corner some of docklows buildings were built a long time ago but docklow is not rundown or dirty like a minority like to say . It’s quirky and enchanting with some of the best customer service you will ever experience in your life across the whole complex. The restaurant pub coffee shop are outstanding. The meals are lovingly prepared and presented and tasty to boot the prices are very fair . The tackle shop puts most high street chains to shame plus they will tell you which lakes are fishing best they’ve got a full sized snooker table tennis golf . The accommodation is varied from basic fisherman’s lodges to higher end plushness me and my five friends stay in the fisherman’s lodges and always found them more than Adequate always clean and everything works . The problem with some people is some of the lakes can be tricky to fish if you haven’t been before and they give up then write a bad review some of docklows fish have been in the pools a long time not like some pop up commercials and can get wise and big so you have to use different baits and techniques or scale down a bit .but if you ask other residents tackle shop or owners they will help they’re a lovely bunch . There’s some lovely couples and groups who return every year there’s a great friendly atmosphere that you just dont get anywhere else . The nearest shops are in Leominster Aldi coop Tesco’s a lovely town with lots of history and antique shops well worth a visit . All in all if you want a relaxing stay in picturesque surroundings good food good company great fishing docklow takes some beating five stars from me faultless

Hello guys, If you're thinking about booking at Docklow pools please read this review very carefully, I thought I'd be done after my last review on another site but the owner got in contact and things took a turn for the worse which is why i'm leaving this one. We arrived at Docklow as part of a birthday gift for myself and my father, both born within 10 days of each other in May. Shortly after leaving the previous review on here, we were contacted by the owner of Docklow pools. I've never ever been spoken to by anyone so rude in all my life. You'd think as a business owner, you'd want to listen to customers experiences and fix the problems + welcome them back in the future. Unfortunately we had the complete opposite. Due to leaving a little negative but very truthful review, the owner decided to ban us from ever fishing at Docklow again, which is fine because after our experience, we never planned on returning. I'll now go into detail as to why our experience was so unpleasant which had nothing to do with the bad weather may I add, we absolutely love fishing and fish in any weather when possible, we were prepared for it before arriving. Rain can't stop anyone fishing, that's what Umbrellas are for! Fishing side of things, Docklow is very well presented, lots of pools in short distance of each other with plenty of parking spaces. In terms of catching fish, well, it wasn't great I have to admit but maybe that was because of the weather. Don't get me wrong, we caught a few but we've fished at many better places. The main issue we had with our experience was the accommodation, which was absolutely filthy first and foremost. I spoke about this in my last review but will go into more detail. Our 3 night stay at docklow cost £400, considering a day ticket is £6 that's far from cheap if you ask me, that's also without breakfast. Upon booking at Docklow pools, we were recommended the property 'Kingfisher', we had no clue on which property to go for but we were assured by staff it was fantastic and highly recommended, so we went for it. My god, what a mistake we made. Let's start off with the basics, well, I would if we had the basics. No hot water in our property, which we didn't realise until a night into our stay. Weather was awful, which didn't bother us in the slightest, but after a long day fishing in the rain, you'd expect some nice hot water once you get back, we had nothing, cold water only for both sets of taps from the sink and bath. Living space which was very tiny, was also freezing cold once we returned. First night we tried the fire which wouldn't work, so we spoke to a member of staff who came straight over the next morning and fixed it for us. She by the way was very, very welcoming from the moment we arrived in docklow. She's an absolute credit to the company & after being spoken to the way we did by the owner, deserves way better. The property, which we were told had a shower for us, only included a bath. Wasn't a massive issue but showers are much more convenient. The issue was, not only did we have no hot running water through our property, the bath was also all smashed in and very dirty, made from the cheapest plastic going. Toilet was also filthy and had no toilet seat. We had to give the bathroom a good clean from the moment we stepped foot in there, something which should have been done for us upon arriving. There were a few lamps throughout the property, which only one actually worked, lightbulbs hadn't been changed for years it seemed, we were starting to wonder what we actually paid for. We were told breakfast would be served at 8am, great. As soon as we got changed we headed in for breakfast bang on 8, got turned away and told to return 30 minutes later as they have no chef for the day. We wanted to get out and fish as soon as possible but there were nothing but problems. After ringing the owner up after returning from docklow ONE NIGHT earlier than we should have, yes things were that bad (We would have spoken to him on site but he was nowhere to be seen, multiple times we asked to speak to the manager in which we were told he wasn't available, I can see why) So in the end we just returned home and gave him a phone call in which we explained to him just how poor the property was and that we didn't even have the basics like hot running water. The lady who helped us was also with him and she told us there was a plumber on site. Fair enough maybe we should have looked for the plumber but we're there to fish, not to chase plumbers, chefs, or members of staff to fix the fireplace and various other issues. The owner then threatened that we were to remove our review about Docklow or else he will take things much further (whatever that means), which we were very taken back by. My mother actually cried after he gave her a phone call, like me she had never been spoken to so rudely on the phone. All she wanted to do was ask why we didn't even have the basics in our property, why it was so filthy and we she was recommended that property upon booking for us. Not once did she ask for a refund, she just felt very bad for both myself and my father as it was booked as a birthday treat. This is meant to be the owner of Docklow pools, he was talking far from professional to each and every one of us. I'm not sure how the business is still going if he speaks to all his customers like that. Like I mentioned above, most owners would want to listen to the problems and put things right, welcome you back and promise a better experience, after all its the customers which are keeping his business alive. We of course refused to remove the review, why would we? It was nothing but the truth and we wanted to inform the rest of you before booking anything here, if we knew how bad it was we would never, ever have visited Docklow pools. After telling him the review wouldn't be removed, he actually said we're banned from ever returning to Docklow pools and slammed the phone down on us. Like I said, i've never ever spoke to someone so rude. Like I said, it was a birthday treat for my 26th and my Dads 60th (Not sure where he's got 40 year old man from) which my mother booked for us, as we absolutely love travelling the country to fish. This was by far the worst experience we've ever had, it genuinely felt like we were in the 1950s, even a caravan would have been way more luxurious than the property we were recommended. If any of you guys have any more questions regarding our stay, please get in touch, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Also if you do plan on going to Docklow and are unsure of where to fish, what bait to use or anything like that, give the tackle shop on site a visit, the man who runs it is very friendly and can't do enough for you.

Just returned from 2 weeks at Docklow....the place looks perfect, not a single swim that doesn't look loaded with fish, the reality is though, hardly a fish to be caught, unless you want tiny bream. wasn't just me either, hardly anyone caught fish, Listened to anglers that had fished it before, tried every method I could think of, all to no avail, which is a shame. In 2 weeks fishing...we didn't bank a single fish over 6lbs, fishing holiday without catching fish...isn't really a fishing holiday. only real saving grace was the staff and food in the restaurant....which was truly AMAZING, staff made you feel like a long lost friend from the first day, and couldn't heap enough praise on them.. Accommodation although suitable, needed cleaning lot better, and having highly polished tiles on the bathroom floor really needs to be sorted out, on more than 2 occasions slipped after getting out the shower, and that's not healthy as one gets older. Was very disappointed with the fishing and would be very unlikely to return.. Complex advertised as couples venue, yet hardly and double swims, and also no children saw lots of young boys fishing un assisted, even surface fishing with bread with no landing nets or unhooking mats.....lots of rules, most just common sense, but never saw anyone imposing the rules or even randomly checking, and far to many lakes closed for matches...so seldom had complete free reign of the whole complex....had to plan in advance where you might be allowed to fish on any given day in advance rather than up and amble to a swim...again disappointing and frustrating

Tried the rest this is the best helpful staff excellent food modernising all th time been going there for a bout ten years

excellent weeks fishing and total relaxation. we are all back next year for more of the same.facilites were top notch and hosts are superb. looking for a weeks great angling then look no further...cheers for everything.

I have to concur with other reviewers. We stayed in a cottage, which is advertised as 'luxury' LOL but which was dirty and smelly. The bed was well worn and uncomfortable. We ate in the restaurant twice, the food was poor quality and overpriced. The entertainment in the bar, (twice a week) was laughingly poor and the entrance to the bar, a very serious health and safety risk!
The fishing was poor. The whole area was unfinished, difficult to navigate on foot and no disabled pegs!!! I also agree with the other reviewer who said it was clicky, it is, very!However, we did speak to some regulars who said the place is going to rack and ruin and they won't be going back. NOTE to management, the bait you say is banned, is so obviously being used. Won't be going back. There are much better places around.

Have had two holidays there and will be going again in July, idyllic location. Only stayed in the angler's accommodation and it is just fine, close to waters and somewhere to store your tackle. General fishing excellent in all the lakes, havn't tried the specimen lake. Staff very friendly and helpful, tackle shop pub & restauarnt are excellent. If you are looking for a weeks fishing in fantastic surroundings this is the place for you, if you are looking for a top notch camp site with swimming pools etc go somewhere else

on hols in july 2010 what can i say about the fishing 1st class over 150 pounds of fish in the week all all staff very help full. this is a fishing hol place you yust sleep and eat in the accomadion if its a bit dirty so what its a fishing holiday booked again for 2011. if you do not fish why go there at the end of the you get what you pay for

The cottage we had booked looked lovely from the outside, but once inside it was dirty and in areas very tired and worn out (chipped kitchen worktop, ripped wallpaper, no shower, dead insects in the corners of rooms and windowsills, etc, etc). We requested a larger place, and the only one available was dirty (we were told we could have it if we wanted it, but would have to clean it ourselves - what a start to our holiday!). We eventually spoke to one of the owners and after a rather rocky start got the larger holiday home at no extra cost. However, first impressions were unfortunately long lasting.

The bed was really uncomfortable with no mattress protector and the linen, although clean, had seen better days (stained and well worn). The arms of the sofa's were dirty, as were the windows and glass in the doors - it was all in need of a deep clean. It made me wonder whether the owners have ever stayed in their cottages and log cabins. I suggest they do - it could be an eye opener for them!!!

We ate in the restuarnt on our first night - the steak was fantastic. The staff in the restaurant were very pleasant too. The lakes were beautiful (when you could use them)and despite a trip to the supermarket and the purchase of numerous kitchen cleaners, antibacterial wipes, rubber gloves and scourers, we couldn't stand the grotty accommodation any longer, so after just 3 days (an expensive 3 days!) we left.

I suggest you go there to simply fish during the day (if you like catching little fish), and find accommodation elsewhere. It would seem they just want your money. Customer service (excluding restaurant & bar) very poor.

Awful place, unless you like noddy fishing in pits. The stock pond has been destroyed to get more matches onsite, the arrogance of the owners is a disgrace and the quality of fishing terrible. I had heard good things about it, but it's changed over the last few years. Ellis the dog is friendliest member of staff, the rest are only interested in the dollar.

My husband and i spent a week at docklow in march 2010 we stayed in a self catering cottage which i must say was beautifull and cosy, the peacefullness was bliss we could"nt believe how lovely it was,just what i needed while my husband done his fishing. The food was excellent the service impecable, also the other residents where so friendly too,but most of all nobody pestered you for anything,mike and josie where very friendly as was johnathan we were made to feel very welcome so much so we have boocked again for august this year, we also went in march 2009 and stayed in the same accomodation. Looking forward to DOCKLOWPOOLS once again any one wanting good fishing and tranquility this is the place to be.