Somerset
Festival Carp Fishery
Carp Fishing in Glastonbury
Festival Carp Fishery: Our Rating
Here’s the Carp Tax rating of Festival Carp Fishery. These scores are based on our team’s experience with the lake and facilities. Scores are subjective and are meant solely as a guide to help fellow anglers plan their visit.
Cleanliness
8/10
Facilities
7/10
Peg Spacing
7/10
Ticket Price
7/10
A Quick Look at Festival Carp Fishery
Tucked away near Sharpham, just a few miles from Glastonbury, Festival Carp Fishery is a cracking day ticket venue that’s well known locally for its action and big carp. The 5.5 acre lake is built around two linked islands, with 10 of the 11 pegs set on them, giving you plenty of chances to fish both the open water and the margins with whatever tactics you fancy.
Stock levels are seriously impressive, with plenty of 20lb+ carp, a good number of 30s, and a lake record that’s well into the 50lb bracket. Whether you’re after steady action or a real chance at a proper Somerset giant, Festival is the kind of venue that keeps anglers coming back for more.
52lb
lake record
5.5
acres
11
pegs
6ft
average depth
About Festival Carp Fishery
Festival’s main carp lake sits at 5.5 acres, with 10 of the 11 pegs on the two islands, putting you in the heart of the water and letting you work both open stretches and tricky margins. Depths run from the shallows out to deeper central spots – with an average depth of 6ft – giving you options whether you’re happy casting across or edging in close. The islands and marginal features provide plenty of cover, so accurate, patient fishing often pays off.
With a solid head of quality carp, smart management, and plenty of water to explore, Festival offers the chance of a few bites or a proper big fish. Keep an eye on the margins, read the water, and you’ll quickly see why it’s a favourite stop for local anglers.
Stock Levels
You won’t be short of action at Festival. The lake holds around 450 carp, with plenty of fish in the 20lb+ bracket and a healthy number of thirties. The real monsters aren’t shy either — there’s a 40lb+ common and a 52lb mirror lurking in the depths. Whether you’re after some frequent action or hoping one of the bigger lumps slips up, there’s always something to target and plenty of opportunities to test your tactics.
Tickets & Lake Exclusives
Festival Carp Fishery operates a session-based ticket system, making it easy to plan anything from a quick overnighter to a longer, more relaxed stay. Anglers can book 24 hour sessions, right through to multi-day stays and full-week bookings, depending on how much time you want on the water.
At weekends, 48 hour sessions are the standard option, although if there’s availability, 24 hour tickets may be released from the Thursday beforehand, which is worth keeping an eye on if you can fish at short notice.
For groups, socials, or anyone wanting the place to themselves, whole-lake exclusive bookings are available. These can be taken over long weekends, extended midweek sessions, or full weeks, with week-long exclusives typically running Monday to Monday or Friday to Friday.
When booking, it’s worth noting that a deposit is required, with a portion of the payment being non-refundable, and no refunds given within 14 days of the start date, so it pays to be sure of your dates before committing.
Festival Carp Fishery Ticket OptionsFishing Rules At Festival Carp Fishery
Festival Carp Fishery is a proper carp water, and the rules are in place to protect the fish, the venue, and everyone’s session. Nothing complicated — just the usual common-sense stuff you’d expect on a well-run fishery.
The main rules to know before you cast out:
- Tackle hygiene: All nets, mats and slings must be dipped before fishing.
- Swims: Fish from designated pegs only and keep your swim spotless — take all litter home.
- Rods: Maximum of three rods per peg/person. No rods left unattended.
- Bait bans: No particles, nuts (including tigers), maggots, plugs, lures, spinners, or any plastic/fake/imitation baits (including zig aligners).
- No wading: Stay on the bank at all times.
- Line & rigs: Minimum 12lb mono, no braided mainline, tubing only (no leadcore or lead-less), barbless hooks only, and no fixed rigs. Bailiffs will check.
- Fish care: 42” minimum landing net, carp cradles or large beanie mats only, no retaining fish, and return them quickly.
- Hook rules: No Pallatrax GRIP hooks, no Magic Twigs or Wands.
- Visitors & juniors: No juniors without adult supervision.
- Conduct: Radios are fine if kept quiet, alcohol is allowed but drunkenness isn’t.
- Safety: Don’t touch the electric fence, fish at your own risk, and carry Klin-Ik or similar at all times.
Stick to the rules, look after the fish, and respect the venue — and Festival will reward you with a proper carp fishing session. The bailiffs are on the ball, so it pays to come prepared and fish the right way.
Pegs, Access & Facilities
The peg setup at Festival is a bit different to most lakes, with 10 of the 11 swims positioned on the two central islands. Each peg gives you a solid, well-defined area to fish from, with enough room to set up comfortably without feeling cramped. Being out on the islands puts you right in the middle of the lake, with clear access to open water and the outer margins without having to cast over anyone else.
Access is straightforward. Parking is close to the lake, and kit is moved out to the island pegs via the bridge linking the islands, so a barrow is essential. It’s all very manageable though, and once you’re set up, everything you need is within easy reach.
Facilities are a strong point here. Clean toilets and showers are available on site, which makes longer sessions far more comfortable. One real bonus is that there are several local takeaways that deliver to the gate, saving you the hassle of packing up or cooking if you don’t fancy it.
Overall, Festival is set up with anglers in mind. Access is sensible, facilities are solid, and once you’re in position, you can focus on fishing rather than logistics.
Location & Considerations
Festival Carp Fishery sits out in the Somerset countryside at Sharpham, just a few miles from Glastonbury, tucked away on some quiet farmland. Being an old peat workings turned carp lake, it’s pretty peaceful out there and feels quite secluded once you’re in the peg — ideal if you’re after a relaxed session without a lot of outside fuss.
Because the water is right on the edge of open countryside, weather and wind can play a big part. On breezy days the wind can swing around the lake and either push fish into the margins or make long casts more productive, so it’s worth watching how the conditions change through your session and adjusting your approach accordingly.
Being near Glastonbury also means access is pretty easy on the main road network, with the fishery just off local lanes and not far from the A39/A361 corridor — handy if you’re driving from further afield. Just be aware that local roads can get busy during big events in the area, so it’s worth planning your arrival time if you’re travelling around peak periods.
Who Is Festival Carp Fishery Suitable For?
Festival Carp Fishery is well suited to intermediate and experienced carp anglers who enjoy fishing a busy water with genuine big-fish potential. With a high stock density, plenty of 20lb+ carp, a fair few 30s, and some seriously big residents topping 40lb and beyond, it offers a nice balance between regular action and the chance of something special.
The island-based peg layout suits anglers who are comfortable reading water, fishing accurately, and adapting to what’s happening in front of them. Margins, open water and changing conditions all come into play here, so it rewards those willing to think a bit rather than just chucking rods out.
Nearby Carp Lakes In Somerset
All Somerset Carp LakesIf you are fishing in the Glastonbury area and looking to explore alternative venues, there are several well-established carp lakes nearby that may also be worth considering. The following fisheries are located within 1 hour of Festival Carp Fishery and offer different lake sizes, stock profiles, and angling experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Festival Carp Fishery
Are bait boats allowed?
Yes — bait boats are permitted at Festival Carp Fishery. With most pegs on the central islands and open water to fish at any angle, a bait boat’s a handy bit of kit for precise placement. That said, always be mindful of other anglers on the water and keep your deliveries tidy; accuracy matters here, and most sessions go better when everyone’s playing it smart.
How big is Festival Carp Fishery?
Festival Carp Fishery is 5.5 acres in size — compact enough to keep things active, but big enough to give you plenty of water to work across a session. With the pegs sitting mainly on the two linked islands, you’ve got a good spread of open water and margins to target, so though it is a smaller lake there’s scope for different approaches and tactics.
How deep is Festival Carp Fishery?
Festival Carp Fishery sits at a pretty consistent depth of around 6ft, with a few slightly shallower margins and some deeper spots in the central areas. It’s enough depth to give the carp plenty of room to roam, while still making features and margins productive for careful, accurate fishing.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes — Festival Carp Fishery is dog-friendly, so you can bring your pooch along for the session. That being said, you must keep your dog under control, especially around other anglers and the water’s edge.
How many pegs are there at Festival Carp Fishery?
Festival Carp Fishery has 11 pegs in total, with 10 of them positioned on the two central islands. This layout gives anglers a central spot with access to both the open water and the outer margins, making every swim feel like you’ve got plenty of water to work.
Are any baits banned?
Yes — Festival has strict rules on what you can put in the water. All particles and nuts are banned, including tiger nuts, and maggots are not allowed. Anglers must also avoid plugs, lures, spinners, and all plastic, fake, or imitation baits, including zigs. Stick to traditional carp baits like boilies, pellets, or natural alternatives, and you’ll be fine while keeping the fishery in top condition.
Can I bring a guest?
Yes — you can bring a family member along with you, but they must arrive and leave in the same vehicle as the angler. This ensures the fishery stays safe and organised. Guests should also stick to the peg area and avoid handling the fish unless supervised, so everyone can enjoy their session without any issues.
