About us
The pond
Villa pond is a beautiful small lake of about an acre with a small island at one end in a delightful rural setting; the maximum depth is about 15ft (4.5 m) with 23 paving slab fishing pegs.
The pond is surrounded by a closely cut lawn so there are no snags behind to hinder casting.
We don’t have matches so you can normally guarantee a peg.
We are committed to giving our customers fishing of the highest standard in a quiet, tidy and attractive setting.
The fish
We have roach, rudd, ide, a few bream, tench and lots of carp up to 30lb.
The bait
Dog and cat food are banned .
Apart from this we don’t have any specific restrictions on bait but we ask you to use ground bait in moderation.
Floating bread may be used but only on the hook and only in the last two hours before closing. Dog biscuits may be used in moderation.
The fishing
Ledgering close to the island or in the deep trough down the middle is effective as is float fishing either some way out or even very close to the bank where large fish are often caught.
We recommend that the minimum weight of line is 4lb.
About two hours before dusk large carp can often be seen on the surface and floating bait is very effective.
The owner is often seen catching carp with his fly rod using a “dog biscuit fly”!
The Gallery.
If you want us to include photographs of fish that you have caught at Villa Pond in our gallery please email them to jolyon@villapond.co.uk.
Biosecurity
We have a net dip in the car parking area and its use is mandatory before you start fishing.
Disabled access
The car parking area is about 50 metres from the end of the pond and access is over grass.
This is usually adequate for wheelchair access.
We will be happy for you to take a vehicle onto the lawn area around the pond to deliver a wheelchair, provided that it hasn’t rained recently but you must telephone us first (07785 558167) to discuss.
Toilets, food etc.
The Willow House Caravan Park next door allows use of their toilets.
They also have an excellent farm shop and café which are well worth a visit..
They do food and hot drinks to take away or eat in and we can highly recommend their bacon sandwiches.
Access is on foot across the field .
Bait & Tackle shops
Mitre Pets & Angling Centre
About a mile from Villa Pond this friendly shop has a comprehensive range of tackle and bait. The people who work there (some of whom regularly fish at Villa Pond) are a mine of local information and will be able to tell you which waters are fishing well.
They have disabled access and they do Pole and Rod repairs.
Opening Hours:
Monday & Tuesday |
8.30am - 5pm |
Wednesday |
8.30am - 1pm |
Thursday & Friday |
8.30am - 5pm |
Saturday |
7.30am - 5pm |
Sunday |
Closed |
They are located on the A19 Shipton Road just off York Ring Road.
From the Ring Road turn towards York and take the first left onto Manor Lane then immediately right onto Shipton Road, which is parallel to the main road. The Shop is about 100 metres on the left before the Mitre pub.
212 Shipton Road, Rawcliffe, York, YO30 5RZ
Telephone: 01904 654851
England Angling
A bit closer to Villa Pond, England Angling located in an industrial unit at Clifton Moor are geared towards the specialist specimen carp angler and internet sales although they do have a wide range of bait including maggots.
Opening hours:
Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm
From the B1363 Wigginton Road roundabout take the exit into the Clifton Moor industrial Estate past the Roko health club. Turn left at the roundabout onto Audax Road and then right onto Audax Close. The unit is on the left.
Unit 7,. Evans Business Centre, Audax Close, Clifton Moor, York, YO30 4RA
Telephone: 01904 476476
Camping, Caravanning etc.
Willow House Caravan Park is immediately adjacent to Villa Pond.
We don’t know much about caravanning but we are seriously impressed by the general environment and standards on the site. As mentioned above the shop and café are very impressive.
You can find out more by visiting www.willowhouseyork.co.uk
Holiday Cotage Accommodation
Villa Farm which is about 100 metres up the road from us is a lovely complex of beautiful holiday cottages set in lawned surroundings. The people who own them are very nice and they have other holiday cottages around York. You can either walk along the adjoining field from the holiday cottages to Villa Pond or drive round and park in our car park.
The owners can arrange all sorts of exciting things to do in York although some of them seem to be a little too exciting for someone of my advanced years!
If you are intrigued by the above statement you can find out more by visiting www.villa-farm.com