Oakview Lake Reviews

All of these 5 stars are for real - you'll find the exact same hand-written versions on the bookshelf in the lodge.

The facilities far exceeded our expectations
By Ron Key on 13 April 2013

Oakview is an exceptional venue. Martin and Shirley are great hosts. The accommodation exceeds anything I've experienced at a lake and of course the fishing provides the challenge we need and some beautiful carp. For the first time ever I had the food package and the meals were great too! 2 x 40's at 40-10 and 40-06 (Ken), 1 x 30 at 31-12, 5 x 20's to 28-08 and one at 12lb for Ron.
Another lovely fishing holiday
By Phil Palmer on 6 April 2013

Already booked for next year - yipeee! Another lovely fishing holiday. Shame about the weather. Shirley and Martin are excellent. Total catch 21 carp. 7 x 30s, lots of upper 20s and a few high teens.
Very happy with everything
By Phil Palmer on 30 March 2013

Fishing good considering weather was chilly. Still another week to go and warming up!. Shirley and martin brilliant. Very happy with everything. Not finished yet and will be back again next year. Week one of two week stay (4 day session by Darren). 4 x 30s to 38lb 8oz and 2 x 20s to 28lb 11oz. Average catch just under 31lbs.
Shirley and Martin very good hosts
By Lee Cooling on 23 March 2013

Fishing hard due to cold weather. Shirley and Martin very good hosts, hopefully see you again next year. 1 at 36lb 8oz Mirror on cell bottom bait, 1 at 21lb 8oz Common on Monster squid bottom bait tip with fluro corn.
Absolutely fantastic hosts, 10 out of 10
By James Boswell on 16 March 2013

Absolutely fantastic holiday. Martin and Shirley are simply the best hosts. I feel they would have done anything we asked them. Hard fishing due to extreme conditions, but having covered outside area was godsend.
The house swim worked well for the same reason. Lovely lake. Top marks. Big thanks, James and John. Fished Monday to Wednesday (days only) 3 fish 2 x 29lb, 1 x 21lb 8oz.
Food and accommodation excellent.
By Pete Wright on 5 October 2012

Martin and Shirley were excellent hosts. They would do anything for us but did not make us feel we were being monitored. Food was brilliant & the accommodation very comfortable, homely and warm - which was very welcome as the weather was VERY wet!. 37lb 4oz mirror, 33lb 2oz mirror, 30ob 2oz mirror, 27lb mirror, 24lb 8oz mirror, 23lb 4oz mirror, 19lb common.
All fish in excellent condition, extremely happy - food and accommodation excellent. Lake beautiful and gave us a challenge!
5 star lodge
By Stuart Dea on 28 September 2012

Managed some cracking carp all in top condition despite difficult weeks fishing due to unsettled weather. Martin and Shirley are lovely people you will nor find better hosts. Breakfast was brilliant. Channel 902 was a great help!! Thx. Gary: 32lb, 31lb 8oz, 26lb 3oz & 14lb. Dave - Stock lake fishing and caught first ever carp. Stuart - carp from stock lake + pike, Ralph - Pike caught on luncheon meat.
Brilliant hosts
By Shane Richardson on 21 September 2012

Brilliant week fishing. Been here 3 times now and can't wait to come back. Rain didn't put us off. Was lovely to see Martin and Shirley again and as usual they can't do enough for you. 3 anglers - 24 carp: 6 x 30s, 16 x 20s, 1 x 18lb linear and Sue was first angler to take one off the top - 8lb common in the stock pond. All 3 had PBs
Lodge is as good as anything you could dream of
By Ray Barnes on 14 September 2012

If you don't like Oakview you don't like life! This is our 3rd trip so obviously we enjoy it here. It has everything an angler could wish for - a stunning lake with a good head of carp in pristine condition. Martin and Shirley are superb - always on hand if you need anything. This time day fished from lodge, taking turns on the rods - left handers set up for Ray so we lost a few!
18 runs: 1 x 34lb mirror, 11 x 20's to 29lb 12oz, 1 x 16lb 8oz common, average 25lb 3oz. Lodge is as good as anything you could dream of with all the mod cons.
Another totally enjoyable week at Oakview
By Stuart King on 7 September 2012

We didn't do much fishing this time, but enjoyed just relaxing and treated it more as a holiday rather than just fishing. Booked for next year - 6th visit. In our opinion the whole package of fishing, food, hospitality and accommodation cannot be bettered.
Ten fish in total - 3 x 30's to 38-00 (PB for Mick Haynes), 5 x 20's and 2 x Doubles
This weeks Oakview was a classic
By Bob Carey on 31 August 2012

This weeks Oakview was a classic. I don't think I will better this weeks catch. Eight 30lb+ including my PB common and 11 fantastic quality 20lb fish up to 29lb 8oz. I always thought fishing was just an excuse for being at this lovely venue, but now I've had both.
Anyone wanting to start fishing in France should consider Oakview - you won't go far wrong. As for Martin and Shirley - you won't find nicer owners. Only fished days from 7am to 10pm.
39lb 4oz Lake Record Common for Kev
By Mark Brown on 24 August 2012

Fished well up to Weds then switched off on Thursday (pressure change/weather??) All fish were on left of home swim. One fish came off right hand far margin. 5 x 30s to 39lb 4oz, 7 x 20s and 2 doubles. Lost 8 - hook pulls etc. Kev: (4 x 30s) 2 commons 22lb and 39lb 4oz "Bert" LR common, 9 mirrors to 36lb 4oz. Mark (1 x 30) 2 commons, including "The Legend" at 31lb 8oz and 15lb 2oz. 1 mirror 24lb 8oz
5 star accommodation immaculately kept.
By Minne de Swart on 17 August 2012

Wonderful location with a lake full of carp... What more can you say! The mark of a great holiday is - is it as good if you go back? The answer is yes and we will be booking again for 2013 when we get home. See you soon. Minne and Wendy. Fished days only, dawn to dusk. 10 fish caught, including 3 x 30s. 7 fish when the weather cooled down Thursday/Friday.
The food was first class and plenty of it.
By Peter Homer on 10 August 2012

We were made very welcome. Very good overall. The fishing was really slow due to extremely hot weather but the fish we had were in very good condition. Will definitely be back! Mirror carp to 29lb 8 oz and 30lbs. Lost 3. All runs came on the Quality coconut, although we had Cell boilies out as well.
Looking forward to next trip back here
By Graham Burn on 3 August 2012

It's been a great year for catching the carp, our youngest member of the party catching the lake record. A really big thank you to Martin and Shirley for a wonderful second year here. Looking forward to next trip back here in the future. 1 x 40, 2 x 30's, 11 x 20's + 3 between 15-20. Including 1 new lake record at 42-07 and all 5 had PB's.
We rated the facilities first class last year and nothing has changed (Excellent)
Another superb holiday at Oakview
By Gary Hewes on 3 August 2012

As always Shirley and Martin were superb hosts and looking forward to return. 1 x 42lb 3oz, 21 x 20s to 29lb, 1 x 19lb 13oz, including new lake record mirror and 4 x new PBs
Oakview is a lovely place
By Karen Royston on 20 July 2012

We chose Oakview because of the lodge and also for a 12-year old's 1st time fishing trip to France. Oakview is a lovely place, Martin and Shirley are lovely and helpful. Shame it was so hot because the fish weren't feeding!
Matt Burgess (Aged 12, first time fishing in France) - 1 x Common 26lb 4oz - New Junior Record Common, 1 x Leather 21lb 10oz. Dave Burgess (first time angler) 4 x Carp up to 20lb 2oz. Norman Royston - 1 x 20lb.
Every fish caught was in superb condition.
By Ray Barnes on 13 July 2012

We had our first trip to Oakview last summer and just like every other newcomer, on our return to England, set about booking our return. Oakview has that affect on you, the lake is stunning and stocked with quality fish. Every fish caught was in superb condition. As for our hosts (Martin and Shirley) you could not ask for nicer people! They are never intrusive, leaving you to the exclusivity of the lake but are always on hand if needed or required. We don't just look at them as lake owners, but as friends!
The accommodation at Oakview can only be described as SUPERB! Far superior to what you would expect from lesser fisheries (all mod cons and top quality as always) The amenities and surroundings are kept in top condition allowing those with mobility issues to access all of the venue.
Our trip this year was hampered by poor weather (hot/cold/wind and rain) affecting our total catch. We are already booked for our return later in the year and probably next year, as you see Oakview becomes ADDICTIVE! 20 carp total including 15 x 20's to 29lb 8oz and 5 x Doubles.
Martin and Shirley are fantastic hosts
By Duncan de Gruchy on 6 July 2012

Oakview is a stunning venue for a family holiday or a small group of anglers. Martin and Shirley are fantastic hosts and very friendly without being intrusive. You have to work at the fishing but the rewards are there if you adopt the right approach. We had a great week and would highly recommend Oakview to anyone looking for peace and tranquility combined with good fishing, accommodation and food.
20 carp including 38lb 5oz (new lake record common), 32lb 11oz, 32lb, 16 x 20s and 1 x double. Fished mornings and evenings only.
Having been in 2009 we chose this venue to bring out wives this year!
By Dean Clarke on 29 June 2012

Having been in 2009 we chose this venue to bring out wives this year! Well all had a good time and thanks again to Martin and Shirley for everything. 17 carp including 2 x 30's and average weight of 24lbs.