Brief description of fishery:
The Decoy Pond sits on the picturesque grounds of Swallowfield Park House, a 16th-century mansion.
The pond was restored to its former glory by members of Swallowfield Fishing Club in 2009 and the club now enjoys exclusive fishing rights. The Pond is approximately 1 acre in size and reaches depths up to 6 feet. It has 20 pegs, 3 of which are purpose-built for disabled access.
PLEASE NOTE: The Clubs agreement with Swallowfield Park states that only 12 anglers at a time may fish the pond, irrespective of the number of pegs, Except in pre-arranged matches.
Reed beds line the banks and also form a reef at one end of the water. In the summer months, Lilly beds provide good features as do the two islands, one of which houses solar panels to power an aerator.
The pond is regularly stocked and has a good head of bream, roach, rudd, chub, perch, and tench.
The ambitious angler might like to target the elusive crucians who inhabit the lake!
The grounds of Swallowfield Park House are private and there is no access to the public. We ask our members to be respectful of the residents who often walk the grounds and to follow the designated route to the pond.
The Pond can be fished from 08.30 until dusk throughout the year. The closed season for coarse fishing does not apply to the Decoy Pond
Address
Swallowfield Park House. Reading Berkshire RG7 1TG
Access & Parking
Parking for the Decoy Pond is in Swallowfield Park House (RG7 1TG)
If travelling from Reading take the B3349 Basingstoke Road through Three Mile Cross and Spencers wood. Continue on the B3449 for approximately half a mile. Follow signs to Swallowfield taking a left turn into Swallowfield Street. Continue past the parish hall, straight over the mini roundabout onto Church Road. Continue along Church Road with Swallowfield Park on your left. As the road takes a sharp left bend over a humpback bridge the East Drive entrance to the park is directly opposite. Over the cattle grid follow the track around to Swallowfield Park House. As you enter the grounds of the house over a second cattle grid parking is available in the first visitor parking bays on the right hand side.
If travelling from Basingstoke exit the A33 at the roundabout onto the B3349 (towards the entrance to Wellington Country Park). Take the first left and follow the B3349 through Riseley. After approximately three quarters of a mile follow signs to Swallowfield turning right onto The Street. At the end of The Street turn right onto Church Road. Continue along Church Road with Swallowfield Park on your left. As the road takes a sharp left bend over a humpback bridge the East Drive entrance to the park is directly opposite. Over the cattle grid follow the track/East Drive around to Swallowfield Park House. As you enter the grounds of the house over a second cattle grid parking is available in the first visitor parking bays on the right hand side.
Please display your Swallowfield Fishing Club car park permit in your car window (downloaded from the Clubmate app once you have taken out a membership plan with Swallowfield Fishing Club)
When walking to Decoy Pond please follow the path through the trees at the far left of grassed area behind the parking bays. Please follow the route shown on the map in the maps tab
The Decoy Pond is now surrounded by an otter fence with gates located at either end of the pond. Please ensure these gates are closed and latched after entering and leaving the pond.
Members are not permitted to use the path along side the house.
Maps
Species
- Bream
- Chub
- Perch
- Roach
- Rudd
- Tench
- Crucian Carp
