Fly fishing on Blenheim’s private lake from Estelle Manor
Members of the Oxfordshire private club can now pursue pike across the 100-acre waters of Blenheim Palace's grounds, departing from their own jetty in a Heritage Land Rover and returning to a riverside picnic prepared by the manor's kitchen.
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A single boat sits alone on the silver expanse of Blenheim’s lake, surrounded by the deepening green of mature woodland that rolls down to the water’s edge. This is the setting for lake fly fishing offered by Estelle Manor, the private members club moments from the palace in Oxfordshire, available from October through to mid March when pike rise to the fly.
The experience begins in the manor’s forecourt, where members meet their fishing guide before the short drive in a Heritage Land Rover to the private jetty. Upon arrival at the water’s edge, they are outfitted with tackle and given casting practice before heading into the lake itself. The guide brings practical knowledge of the water’s character and the behaviour of the pike that inhabit Blenheim’s 100-acre lake.
What distinguishes the day is its rhythm. Members might venture deep into the afternoon, but the manor draws them back to the jetty with a picnic basket prepared by the kitchen: light bites and refreshment designed to punctuate the day without disrupting its rhythm. The memory belongs not to a single catch but to the entire immersion in this particular corner of the Oxfordshire countryside.
Lake fly fishing is available from 1st October to 15th March. Members may book through the manor’s concierge or website.
Imagery courtesy of Estelle Manor (@estellemanor).