A hidden gem for anglers
We have just returned from a gem of a site just up the road from where we live in east Yorkshire. We have often seen the sign to it pointing off the roundabout on the 1079 as we headed for York. And we always say "we will have to try that place sometime".
As we sweltered in the recent heat wave and saw the forecast was for it to continue we decided to have a mini break. Our first thought was the new Bridlington site but it was fully booked with no continuous 3 nights available. Then we remembered the sight near York. I went on the internet and put in a search for touring caravan sites in east Yorkshire and found www.coniferlake.co.uk it looked nice, the fishing looked good but we could not find the prices. We rang the mobile number and got Graham the owner who informed us that pitches were available at £20.00 per night plus electric via meter, Plus £5.00 per day for the fishing. I thought it was a bit expensive but we have said we would try it and thought it would be hard to find anywhere else at short notice with the weatherman forecasting 30 degrees in some places. So we loaded up the car and set off. It turned out the sign we had seen was to a totally different site called “Lakeside Park” a water activity centre with fishing and a touring caravan site. We spotted a small CCC sign with a sign for Conifer Lake down a long narrow lane just wide enough for the caravan. As we drove down the lane we wondered if we should try lakeside. As we turned into the site we were directed to a pitch near the corner by Graham in a pair of shorts and sandals. May (SWMBO) and chief admin officer asked where the reception was and was directed to the wooden cabin where he and Alison his wife lived. They bought the lake about 5 years ago and have spent a lot of time, effort and money to get it to what it is today. Both Graham and Alison are keen anglers and have managed to turn every anglers dream into a reality. Their knowledge of angling has been put into the development of the lake. Each peg gives every angler plenty of room to manoeuvre and fish without affecting the angler on the next peg and with over forty pegs you will never have to get up early to get a peg. Plus there is good fishing to be had on every peg to suit every skill level. There is an informal open match fished every Saturday. The main stock is Bream averaging about 1 ½ pound with a few large carp and small roach and perch in abundance. As we settled onto our pitch and sat down with our cups of tea we glanced around and realised how picturesque it was, then we started to notice the quirky little features that had been added like the elephants and giraffe statues and the manikin working the wishing well etc. all guaranteed to make you smile as you find them and to make you look around further for the next surprise. The site is blissfully quiet (partly due to its location but also as it is an adult only site.) The toilets/showers (Known as the stable block) are kept meticulously clean at all times and Alison also finds time to plant and maintain the flower beds in between walking her dogs around the lake at least twice a day. The best description is probably a luxury CL site. All pitches are on grass with electric available. It worked out about £1.00 per day for the electric although this would probably double in colder weather. On the down side the elsan disposal point could be improved but that was about the only fault we could find. Oh! And the midges have teeth like crocodiles, but I only got four bites which are to be expected at this time of year near a lake. The site has a very relaxed atmosphere where the only hard and fast rules are those to preserve the health of the fish. I still think it is a bit expensive compared to some sites but as I said earlier they have put a lot of time, effort and Money into making this site what it is and we intend to return later in the year so it can’t be too bad. I am feeling a degree of reluctance as I am typing this report as I don’t want it getting over booked and busy but feel obliged to share this find with fellow anglers. give it a go and you will want to return.