What was originally a boggy field was excavated and formed by the previous owner Simon Norman-Ballantyne over a period of almost twenty years. The farm is fed by water from the Bessy Beck, a small stream which rises on the nearby Howgills, and is the source of the river Lune.
The farm was taken over by the Riddell family in 2003 along with three fishing lakes which were further developed with anglers in mind.
Aiden Byrne – Youngest Michelin star chef.
The site of Bessy Beck Trout Farm is next to the village of Newbiggin-on-Lune. What was originally a boggy field was excavated and formed by the previous owner Simon Norman-Ballantyne over a period of almost twenty years. The farm is fed by water from the Bessy Beck, a small stream which rises on the nearby Howgills, and is the source of the river Lune.
The farm was taken over by the Riddell family in 2003 and if you are looking for trout fishing near me then along with three fishing lakes which have been further developed with anglers in mind.
“The quality of the water ensures hard fighting sport fish and what are recognised by a number of leading chefs, as some of the best table fish in the North West.”
Quote from Aiden Byrne youngest Michelin star chef.
According to local legend, the Bessy Beck takes its name from Elizabeth Gaunt, a local woman who was burnt at the stake on 23rd October 1685.
Swinton Trout farm is part of the Swinton Estate and is run by the Riddell family in July 2014 and currently produces 25 tonnes of Triploid Rainbow trout. It is situated on the River Burn a tributary of the river Ure. Table trout can also be ordered.
Leighton Reservoir is also run by the Riddell family since July 2014; it offers bank fly fishing for Rainbow Trout in the Yorkshire Dales. Being only three miles away it is heavily stocked from Swinton farm.
2018 saw the opening of a hatchery on a spring water site not far from Swinton farm. It now produces all the Rainbow and Brown Trout fingerlings needed for the trout farms.
Glasshouses fish farm was acquired in August 2018 giving a further 50 tonnes of growing on capacity for Rainbow and Brown Trout.