Bibury Trout Farm — Local services in Cotswold District

I started off being disappointed with Bibury Trout Farm, as there were a couple of issues I'd experienced and the staff member that I'd initially dealt with seemed less proactive/helpful than I'd hoped when I raised my concerns afterwards. As I run a business myself, I thought they should be aware of these issues for future reference and have the opportunity to get things sorted.

As it happens, my kids wanted a day out and so I thought I'd drive down (again) and speak in person about these unresolved issues rather than being a 'keyboard warrior' and leaving a snotty review.

I won't go into specifics, however, all I can say is that I met with Gemma and she was significantly more helpful and accommodating than I had anticipated. I have to confess, when I'd arrived (the second time), I was keyed-up for a bit of a confrontation because I was frustrated. However, Gemma was extremely disarming, courteous and very quickly "turned my frown upside down", as well as anyone could. She provided a masterclass in customer service - so much so that I felt rather humbled afterwards, actually.

Look, I get it, I really do. Bibury Trout Farm IS expensive, so you need to know that before you go. And they DO sometimes make mistakes. And on rare occasions, I guess the staff aren't always as polished or rehearsed as Oprah Winfrey.

But ... trying to be realistic here, they're not Disney. It's a very busy working trout farm in a tiny little Cotswold Village and they deal with large numbers of the public (from all over the world) and I can personally attest that dealing with the public is … ahem … challenging … to say the least. Their overheads will be out of this world and they haven't got the scale or systems like McDonalds and consequently, experiences are not as consistent and there are a lot of "moving parts" they'll have to contend with.

For me, spending all day trying to help countless people & their kids catch fish with rods, lines and sharp hooks and all the potential disasters that could entail would give me sleepless nights. However, Andy who works there seems to have the patience of an angel, I honestly don't know how he stopped himself throwing some of the customers in the river or slapping them round the head with a heavy trout. But I suppose that would put up their (doubtless insane) insurance costs.

So, my advice would be to go there and not expect it to be cheap. Expect it to be busy (apparently week-days are quieter) … and sometimes they make mistakes and they take a while to serve the food.

On the flip side, it's a unique experience (even if you don't want to catch the fish with a rod and line). The food is excellent. The location is second to none. And the staff are human, dealing with challenging, variable and public-centric situations. For accuracy, all the ones I saw working that day were doing an excellent job.

Once again, I'm very grateful to their superstar Gemma for converting me from a disgruntled moaner to an advocate - many thanks Gemma - I hope they're paying you what you're worth!

I hope this review is fair and balanced - I had to edit it to remove a few...

A Delightful Day at Bibury Trout Farm

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Bibury Trout Farm, and it was an experience I won't soon forget. From start to finish, it was an absolute delight.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the serene surroundings and the charming atmosphere of the farm. The staff were friendly and welcoming, which immediately set a positive tone for the hours ahead.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the fishing experience. I had the privilege of catching three remarkable trout, with the largest one weighing an impressive 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms). The thrill of reeling in such a substantial fish was simply exhilarating. Also being my new PB, I can't explain how thrilled I was!

For those who prefer not to handle the fish themselves, the farm offers the option to have the staff gut the catch. This service is a thoughtful touch that ensures everyone can enjoy the experience, regardless of their level of fishing expertise.

After the successful fishing venture, the farm provided the option to have our freshly caught trout cooked on their BBQ. You will be able to enjoy your fresh catch on the day with friends and family over some nice hot coals!

I must say, Bibury Trout Farm is an ideal destination for a family day out. The serene surroundings, friendly staff, and the unique fishing experience make it a standout choice. Whether you're an avid angler or just looking for a memorable day with loved ones, this farm has something for everyone.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Bibury Trout Farm to anyone seeking a wholesome and enjoyable day out. The combination of fishing, picturesque scenery, and the option to savor your catch on the BBQ creates a truly memorable experience. This gem of a location is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors...

We parked our camper van and paid for entrance. However, unfortunately because of a sudden torrential storm, the fishing was closed. So the farm kindly gave us a refund and we returned to our vehicle. Due to the torrential rain and poor visibility, I felt it was not safe to drive not only on the road but also in the car park where families were running for their cars. So we waited in the van until the rain had died down a bit before heading off. Unfortunately I discovered that being safety conscious meant that I stayed longer than the allotted time allowed.

This was a particularly stressful situation for me as I have a child with a disability who was very upset by the storm. The downpour also made the parking signage impossible to see not helped by the need for umbrellas obscuring visibility so I was unaware that I even needed to. We were also there for such a short time and had paid for entrance I just couldn't imagine that I would get a ticket.

I have raised this already with Bibury trout farm and they initially accepted these extreme mitigating circumstances and said they would see what they would do. But after several unanswered emails and unreturned calls I gave up. I tried contacting the parking firm who describe themselves as a 'family' run company but unsurprisingly heard nothing. So a piece of me died as I paid the £60 pound fine to avoid it going up to £100.

This parking is a scam that has nothing to do with ensuring parking for paying customers and everything to do with tripping up honest customers and gauging money out of them. If my experience and the others I've read are anything to go by then Bibury farm must have grounds for breaking their contract with this parking firm but it appears...