1/ It’s off grid…
That means no floodlit car parks and no onsite games rooms; no underfloor heating and no big screen TVs.
Instead, Rum Bridge offers three family bell tents and five wooden glamping ‘pods’, equipped with solar lighting, a cool box, and a power bank (to charge ‘the essentials’, such as your phone).
And that’s it.
Which means settling for an extra duvet or gas heater when it turns cold.
Sad but true, the DVD player and beer fridge will also have to stay at home. (Sorry.)
2/ It’s in the sticks…
True, that. The nearest shops, pubs and restaurants are a good ten-minute walk – or two-minute drive – away (though they are well worth the effort).
Oh; and, when it rains heavily, the banks can be muddy – so wellies are recommended in winter.
3/ The pods don’t have en suite bathrooms…
There’s no avoiding it: you’ll have to walk anything up to 80 yards to the flush toilets and hot showers. (Though the compostable eco toilets are a little closer.)
This particular imposition is however reflected in the price.
4/ There are no fitted kitchens…
Also true. So if you do decide to visit, you should expect a more… ‘rudimentary’ culinary experience: to cook al fresco, either on the BBQ, or in an adjacent cook tent.
Or of course to order-in – either from Carol’s Kitchen, or one of five highly regarded takeaway delivery services.
Your choice.
5/ The ponds are too small…
Though they’re well-established, and stocked with the most stunning strains of carp – from pristine VS mirrors and Frontline commons to dark, decades-old warriors in excess of 40lbs – the Back and Road Lakes are under an acre in size; and they’re extremely weedy.
Which means they’re trickier to fish than gravel pits many times the size, with visiting anglers experiencing more blanks than big hits.
That said, the rewards are there for more capable carpers.
For the rest, there is the Moat – which is home to over 100 smaller carp as well as specimen sized tench, crucians, roach, and rudd.
6/ It’s not for ‘serious carpers’…
Quite right. In fact, Rum Bridge is not for serious… anything.
Rather, it’s to be enjoyed for what it is: a secluded ‘rural retreat’, enabling anglers and ramblers, birders and nature-lovers – in fact anyone seeking simply to get away from it all – to recharge their batteries, in the heart of the Suffolk countryside.
7/ Loud music is not allowed (or even possible)…
See Point 1.
Whilst we’re more than happy to accommodate larger site-exclusive family get-togethers, Rum Bridge is not suitable for ‘livelier’ same-sex functions such as traditional stag and hen parties.
So if the first question on your lips, when booking, is “Can I bring my own beer’ – then Rum Bridge is almost certainly not for you.
8/ The owners are intolerant…
This too is very much the case. More specifically:
They won’t tolerate litter (and yes: this includes cigarette butts and tea bags).
They won’t tolerate anglers who break the (perfectly sensible) rules, regarding baits and fish care.
And they won’t tolerate disrespect – of the site, the wildlife, fish, staff or other guests
9/ Dogs are not allowed beside the lakes…
Because we have free-ranging chickens and ducks (not to mention, anglers), pets are allowed only in designated pods and tents.
That said, Clare is a ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ accredited town, meaning there are many fantastic walks on the doorstep.
10/ The fishing’s too expensive…
Compared to some day ticket venues, Rum Bridge is indeed a little dearer.
But; because we prefer not to cram the banks – choosing instead to allow a maximum of three bivvy anglers to fish in comfort – it could be argued that we’re actually quite cheap.
Especially when you factor in the available facilities, which include flush toilets, showers, a field kitchen (with hot and cold water), direct-to-peg takeaway delivery service, well stocked tackle shop, and hot and cold snacks and drinks throughout the day (courtesy of Carol’s Kitchen).
So when you look at it like that, well… you has your money, you takes your choice.
And that’s the whole point of Rum Bridge: it defies comparison with other venues…
Although it’s home to some very large carp, it’s not a fishery for ‘hardcore’ carp anglers, intent on chasing 40lbers (though they are there to be caught).
And we definitely take the ‘glam’ out of glamping.
But you know what? More than 60% of folk who stay with us come back – most, more than once.
Why?
Well, that’s the reason you really should visit.
Because we bend over backwards to give guests who really ‘get it’ – be they solo travellers, couples or families – the best possible experience; in the most tranquil, natural surroundings.
For more information on camping, glamping and fishing holidays and short breaks, visit rumbridgeglamping.com 
