Reputed to be "the most beautiful village in England" (William Morris), Bibury is well worth a visit in order to see the well-known Arlington Row of weavers’ cottages, Arlington Mill and St Mary’s Church. The village is also home to the fascinating Bibury Trout Farm; a working trout farm that was founded in 1902.
The trout farm is set in picturesque surroundings, covering 15 acres in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Cotswolds, the Coln Valley. A natural spring in the valley provides the pure water that is used to run the trout hatchery, spawning up to six million ova every year.
As visitors walk about in this idyllic setting they can learn more about Rainbow and Brown trout. It is possible to see trout- grading in progress, a process by which the fish are selected for size and quality. They may then be transported to new lakes or rivers in fibre-glass tanks filled with oxygenated water. The farm also displays information boards that tell visitors more about what goes on inside the hatchery and fryary.
The Trout Farm provides the visitor with plenty to see and do and children may be especially keen to take part in the feeding of the fish. This is carried out daily by staff. Sometimes the trout leap out of the water in their attempts to catch the food that is thrown.
There is also a gift shop; a fish shop where it is possible to buy a range of fresh and smoked trout as well as wine, deli products, quality bread and preserves; a children’s play area and a terrace café serving home made cakes and light lunches. The farm is also home to a variety of wildlife, including cygnets and ducklings in the spring.
The "Catch Your Own" fishery is a separate area on the farm for visitors who would like to try their hand at the hobby of angling. All equipment and help for the angling is provided.