WIN
s of grabs t e r rs fou s up fo rod
New gear for 2016
From sonik, starbaits, fortis, chub, avid, and more
craftyc
arper.c o
No.221 January 2016
On sale 23rd December–19th January 2016
January 2016 | Issue 221 | £4.25
Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
catch carp all winter Bait Tackle
Tactics Venues
ed skillz
Fish in Europe for free, and catch a monster like this
Julian Cundiff
Hot bait. Does heat make a difference to your results?
marv wait
Clever paste tricks which will give you a big edge
craftycarper.co
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Crafty Carper /// Issue 221 /// January 2016 /// www.craftycarper.co
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On the cover: A winter capture heading back to its home.
Editorial James Turner Editor James looks at what’s in
store for you in this issue of Crafty
20
Wychwood Competition Thanks to the guys at Wychwood, we’ve
got four sets of the awesome 201 series rods up
Carper, and reveals what he’s been
15
Paste Pulling Power Marv Wait Marv reveals some of the paste
tricks he uses to put a few fish on the bank
for grabs, with a total prize value of over £700,
over the winter months, and he doesn’t
and it’s a competition well worth entering.
disappoint, live for the Crafty cameras.
up to over the past month.
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The Knowledge Dave Lane Dave’s now moved away from
St Ives and heads over to his winter water to try to change his luck. He comes face-to-face with his target on his first session, but is it in his net?
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Unlocking Kingsmead Jack Funnel
After spending a memorable time on the Thames, Jack heads over to RK Leisure’s Kingsmead, and it’s not long before he manages to get amongst some of the chunky stunners which reside there.
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Crafty Carper Under-21s Dan Price checks in with his
monthly blog and enjoys a Linear social, James Bushnell Jr. relives the story of an epic session earlier this year, while Lewis Porter tells the tale of the capture of a beautiful old creature.
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Crafty Catch Column Sponsored by Sticky Baits
This is the place to get your catch pictures published, so send them in to us, and you’re in with the chance of a great prize from those top guys at Sticky Baits.
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Carp Food Here you’ll find the latest and
greatest products of carpy cuisine on the shelves of a tackle shop near you, as well as the Editor’s Choice of the month, and a crafty tip from Joe Turnbull.
51
Carp Food Special – SSP Baits This month we take a look at
a new range of bait which comes with massive plaudits from around the carpangling world. Were we impressed? Turn to page 51 to find out.
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details how he takes a carping journey which actually
approach. He likes to add something
costs less than heading to an overseas commercial.
hot to his swim, but does temperature
Who’s up for some real adventure angling?
make that much of a difference?
Carping On The Wild Side Ed Skillz Have you ever fancied taking a trip and
fishing some of the unspoilt areas of Europe? Ed
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Hot Stuff Julian Cundiff With winter well and truly
here, our man Jules looks at his baiting
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Contents /// January 2016
60
The Question Is
95
This month’s carping
conundrums are answered by our panel
It “Rig orked w e on l k Tac magic end r e i h e th C’s, t tely olu SS my lt abs way.” u a res me m blew l Cotta Bil
of experts. If you get your question answered, you’ll receive a cracking
I Love It When A Plan Comes
Together Kev Hewitt Kev reveals all on how his hard work, effort and determination, as well as a few blanks, resulted in a 50lb+ day-ticket chunk.
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the pages of TicketMaster this month,
you the low-down on what’s hot and
in the carp-angling arena recently,
and free fishing offers for every reader
what’s not. Plus the Crafty Team give
and their sleeping bags are one of
to take advantage of. Get on it!
you their essential items this month.
a number of new items. If you’re in
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an angling holiday for next year,
hitting the tackle shops in 2016.
and fancy a little luxury too, then
There’s an impressive list of high-
Domaine De La Ribière could be
quality gear, and I’m sure you’ll find
of a pair of waders which cost so
just your thing. There are gîtes, a
something to whet your appetite.
much money. Are they worth the
The TicketMaster We’ve got four day ticket
fisheries from across the country in
Hot Holiday – Domaine De La Ribière
If you’re in the market for booking
swimming pool, and absolutely huge fish. What more could you want?
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Hot Holiday –
Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some of the
best products on the market, and give
In Focus – Avid Carp Avid have been increasing
their number of top-notch products
the market for a new sleeping bag In Focus – SONIK We look at the latest
offerings from SONIK which will be
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and cover, this is the place to go.
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In Focus – Le Chameau Now this is an interesting
one, as never before have I had hold
£200 price tag? You’ll soon find out. In Focus – Starbaits The D-Tec Alarms from
Starbaits have been well received,
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Seine Netting Explained David Smith
CatMaster Tours
so we thought we’d take a closer
Looking for a spot of carp angling in
look, only to find out that there’s
lake? You’ll be well and truly
warmer climes, either this winter or
a new camo version for 2016.
shocked when you see just
at any time of the year? Then we’ve got just the place for you – a trip to the Ebro in Spain, where there are stunning hard-fighting carp and monster catfish to angle for.
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what goes into it – it’s not all In Focus – Shimano There are rods, and then
there are rods from Shimano. The TX9s have been receiving rave reviews, and upon closer inspection,
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Day Ticket Edges Harry Hales
With a long list of day-ticket captures to his name, we’ve enlisted the help of
we can see exactly why.
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How hard can it be to net a
plain sailing, that’s for sure.
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Subscribe If you want to get your
favourite carp-fishing magazine through your letter box every month, then this is the place to go. Take out
In Focus – Powa Pac
a subscription this month and you
If you like to have a good
will receive a whole load of bait from
supply of power while on the bank,
Sticky Baits, and soon be on the way
to make the most of your sessions on
for things such as phones, tablets
to catching carp for fun on The Krill.
the busier day ticket waters around.
and lighting, then this is well worth
Harry Hales to give his insight into how
a look. It’s been accompanying
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me on my travels, and there’s an in-depth review on page 92.
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Inbox Keep up to date with
the latest news, and you can also get in touch with us to find out all the
In Focus – Fortis x Snugpak
If you want to look cool this winter, and follow the trend of DPM and the use of gilets, then this is
rumblings from the carpy grapevine.
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Another Year Goes By Jo Green
Jo has definitely had an eventful
the place to go. We put the new
year, so we take a look back through
Fortis and Snugpak collaboration
her captures to see the wondrous
SV3 under the microscope.
fish she’s added to her photo
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album over the last 12 months. In Focus – Chub Keeping warm is essential
at this time of the year, and we got hold of the new all-weather
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Mega Deals
Visit our website to find your local stockist
If you’re up for a
bargain, head over to page 114
jacket and trousers from Chub.
to check out our Mega Deals for
Find out how warm and how
some of the best offers from
good it looks on page 94.
the country’s leading retailers.
Crafty Carper 004-005_Contents_CC221.indd 2
END TACKLE AND HAND-SHARPENED HOOK SPECIALISTS
65
VALUE FOR MONEY WITHOUT COMPROMISING QUALITY
prize delivered straight to your door.
www.rigittackle.com 5
T 07722 881 823 E rigittackle@gmail.com 04/12/2015 12:12
A tough second half to the winter on Bundy’s.
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Knowledge Dave Lane
The
Dave moves away from St Ives to take on his winter water, and on the first session, he meets his target!
I
have finally made the move to my
my biggest-ever true winter carp.
the sweeter, and the disasters and
winter water, after hanging on at
My previous winter best was Mary
disappointments are soon forgotten.
St Ives way longer than I originally
from Wraysbury, at an ounce under
intended. The problem with moving was quite simple – winter didn’t actually
50lb, but that was decades before! As it turned out, Bundy’s was a
latter half of the winter seemed to drift
look as if it was ever going to start,
typical example of the way fish can
by in a freezing cloud of ice and fog,
and the mild conditions throughout
change their habits. To quote a much-
but what did I care? I’d caught a 50lb
October and the start of November
used phrase: ‘You should have been
common in December, and that would
kept me hanging on, hoping that the
here last week/month/year, mate;
keep me going for a fair old while.
much awaited autumnal feed-up would
they were going mental.’ Apparently,
eventually happen. It didn’t, of course.
the previous winter, the fish showed
I actually think that the autumn just
like crazy all through the night
gone may go down in history as one
and the Zig fishing was
of the least productive ever, at least
superb at times, with
in my book it definitely will. In a way,
adjustables being the
however, it’s not such a bad thing. It just
main angle of attack.
goes to show that nothing in fishing
start at Bundy’s until
something happened one particular year
after I’d landed the
at a specific time, it doesn’t guarantee a
Northey common,
repeat performance the following year.
so it was the second
Back to the here and now. I am currently sitting in my bivvy on my new lake, and due to my rubbish organisational skills, I am writing this on my newly acquired
“My previous winter best was Mary from Wraysbury, at an ounce under 50lb, but that was decades before!”
I didn’t actually
can be taken for granted, and because
Last winter I joined two different
week of December
pad – or tablet, or whatever the correct terminology may be – as the deadline is actually tomorrow. Halfway through writing about
waters, Northey Park and Bundy’s.
before I even wet a line in
Northey didn’t have a lot of winter form
the massively deep water. This is very
call from Adam Penning, who was also
as such, although they had been caught
late to be trying to learn about a lake,
fishing, but on a different lake, and
there occasionally, whereas Bundy’s
but I had a lot of good information from
we got chatting about this and that.
had a good reputation for throwing
friends who had fished there before.
Fishing nights in the winter are also
up fish in the coldest of conditions,
I spent hours sitting, watching, and
catch-up nights, and I spend hours on
mainly on Zigs. As it transpired, it was
listening throughout the night, all to
the phone, keeping in touch with mates
no avail. Yes, I saw the odd fish, but
who I might not see very often. I’m
nothing compared to the stories of the
always very interested in what Adam
previous years. Even the guys who
has to say because he’s one of those
had fished there before all said the
‘thinking anglers’, and often has the odd
culminated in
same – it was like a different lake. (You
gem to impart. It’s handy when you are
the capture
should have been here last year, mate!)
struggling to get a bite, or sometimes
Northey that ended up being particularly kind to me, and in December, it
of a 50lb common,
There really are no cast-iron
Bundy’s, I received a phone
just to get the old grey matter stirred
guarantees in carp angling, and to a
up a bit. We would both, simultaneously,
certain extent, I think that is what
see a big old November moon in the
makes it so appealing. For every My biggest-ever winter carp, but what lies in wait for this year?
I did catch a couple from Bundy’s, but nothing to really shout about, and the
expected capture or sighting that
sky, and the conversation would turn to moon phases and their effect on the carp feeding. Apparently, a friend
doesn’t happen,
of his had put together quite a list
there are
that reinforced the theories of certain
probably a
‘hot times’ to fish, but as I explained
small number
to him, I only have the same 2/3 days
of unexpected bonuses,
every week, so a list of the best nights
little moments of magic that
must, by its very nature, also include
can never be repeated. Ying and
a list of the worst times. Personally, I
yang, swings and roundabouts,
wouldn’t want that kind of negativity
rough with the smooth, call it
when I set out on a Monday morning. I
what you like, but every now
think I would rather just feel confident
and again, when the karma bus pulls up at your swim, it makes it all
every week, without any preconceived ideas based
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G N I P R CA E H T N O E D I S D WIL Ed Skillz
rope to across Eu g in h s fi f do Channel of this kin across the e master ip th tr t a o g e k e ee! ta ow – and it’s fr asy it is to fashion, s s e re in w u o h s h c a u d e n m tr n is very does it, a g hidden e unknow it, why he unearthin f to o in e p s o e h o Fishing th g what lace in the sight into onderful p w d n give an in a d il ,w unknown to fish an
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Carping On The Wild Side Ed Skillz
However, these are the very reasons why I couldn’t think of exactly how big the fish are swimming
a bigger challenge for me than
in it, what their names are, and how
fishing the public waters of Europe.
C
one of these big European lumps. Pay
many are in there? Or is it quite simply
Going on these road trips into the
arp angling seems to have
lakes (or commercials, as they may be
the fact that many anglers don’t know
unknown makes me feel alive, and the
taken a big jump over the last
known in the UK) are growing out of
where to start when it comes to fishing
adventurer within me wakes up the
10 years, and more and more
the ground all over Europe as if they
a public water? Everybody has heard
very moment I start my engine and
people have found their way on to the
were mushrooms, just springing up
stories of burned-out cars and flat
take off for my destination abroad.
carp-angling scene. The good thing
from nowhere. I have nothing against
tyres suffered by adventurous anglers
The fact that I have to find everything
is that never has there been more
commercial big-fish ponds, but for
fishing the public waters of France
out for myself – seeking out the puzzle
development in angling than right now
me personally, it takes all the fun out
and Belgium, so it might seem that it
first and then putting the pieces
in the carp-angling industry. Companies
of the game. I’m an angler who likes
isn’t safe to fish these waters. This
together – keeps me sharp in my own
are bringing out all sorts of material
adventure and really thrives on it. I’m
definitely isn’t the case because it
angling, and on the ball. If I don’t
to lure our beloved friends, the carp,
not saying that I have never fished
really isn’t all that bad. Another thing
do this, I won’t catch any carp, but
into a bite. It wasn’t always like this,
a pay lake, nor will I say that I never
is that there aren’t any shower lodges
having said that, you can imagine just
and I remember the days when I felt
will again, because they ain’t all the
around on the public waters, and there
how big of a joy it is to catch a carp
like an alien going out on the hunt for
same, and some of them still manage
is no bailiff who can tell you where
from a public water. It’s an amazing
carp. Now though, everybody is doing
to give anglers the feeling of being
the big fish tend to come out most of
feeling of triumph and an achievement
it, has done it, or knows somebody
on a hunt out in the wilderness.
the year, which rig works best, and
you’ve made on your own.
who fishes for carp. Fish are growing
I often ask myself, and other carp
bigger and bigger all over Europe, and
anglers I meet – why? Why do so many
these are all factors which add up
fishing public waters is, quite simply,
it’s thanks to all the bait which is going
people choose to fish the pay lakes? Is
to people taking what looks like the
the price. In Belgium, there are two
in, since every angler tries to prebait
it because of the certainty of large fish
easier option of the commercial pay
licences which you can buy
their spot to up the chances of catching
being present? Is it because they know
lake for a fishing trip to the Continent.
from the post office or online.
Off the beaten track, finding my own paradise.
which bait seems to do well. I suppose
One of the big advantages of
Catching these was such fun. They were all stunning, and from a lake that seemed to be forgotten about.
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Hot Holiday Venue CatMaster Tours
FISHERY FACT FILE:
CATMASTER TOURS Travel info: Flights are available from most UK airports. Airport pickup (Barcelona only) can be arranged or cars hired. Travel times from arrival airports are as follows: Lleida – 0.5 hours; Reus – 1.5 hours; Zaragoza – 1.5 hours; Barcelona – 2 hours; Girona – 2.5 hours. Venue: River Ebro and Segre in areas surrounding the CatMaster base at Mequinenza. Fish stocks: Catfish to over 250lb. The majority of anglers will catch cats to over 100lb, with one in three cats being over this weight. Carp mostly range between 20 and 50lb, with a chance of 60lb or even 70lb+.
HOT HOLIDAY VENUE
be arranged if required. Swims can
Facilities:
CATMASTER TOURS
even be prebaited, and all licences are
All accommodation is air-
included. At the end of the day, the
conditioned in apartments or
guide will collect you and all the gear,
houses, within walking distance of
and take you back to your apartment,
Mequinenza centre. Accommodation
If you fancy getting a bend in your rods and sampling the excitement of fishing on one of the world’s great rivers, how about a week chasing monster cats or hard-fighting carp on the mighty Ebro?
or directly to a bar or restaurant. Car
may be shared with other anglers.
T
fishing tours, and the majority of tackle
Equipment provided depending on
hire is also available if required. CatMaster run both cat- and carp-
Equipment and bait:
he first thing that comes
adventures. With CatMaster, you can fish
is supplied, although this does depend
tour. See website for full details.
to mind when most anglers
during the day, return to your apartment,
on which tour you choose. If you fancy a
Bait available to purchase. Boats
think of the River Ebro in
and then have an evening out with your
taste of both, why not have a few days’
available to hire if required.
northeast Spain is that it’s home to
friends in the local bars and restaurants.
fishing for the monster cats, followed
some of the world’s largest catfish.
However, if you want to continue fishing
by a few days for the big carp? One
Prices:
What many people don’t realise is
into the night, this can be arranged.
thing you can be sure of is that you’ll be
Catfish tours from £499.
CatMaster cater for groups, pairs,
in the hands of some of the best guides
Mixed cat/carp tours from
that it also contains some excellent carp, and CatMaster Tours, which are
or even single anglers, and included
on the Ebro. The company and its
£499. Carp-only tours from
based in Mequinenza, are masters at
in the price is accommodation, which
guests have held the unofficial Spanish
£300. Non-angling guests are
running holiday trips to catch them.
is in either a modern block or a more
record for catfish for a number of years,
welcome (extra fee payable).
traditional Spanish house. Wherever you
including the albino catfish record. They
Prices dependent on season.
long, so it’s vital that you have up-to-
stay, you’ll be within walking distance
even state that if you beat one of their
date local knowledge of where to fish.
of the centre of town and close to
records, you will be entitled to a free
Contact:
CatMaster have been running tours
the river. Mequinenza, the home base
return trip and, even better, if you go
Web: www.catmastertours.com
to the Ebro since the year 2000, so
for CatMaster, is a beautiful town,
on a catfish tour and don’t catch at all,
Tel: (+44) 0121 451 1861
they certainly know all the best spots,
overlooked by a historic castle. Perched
you’ll be invited back to try again. With
Online booking and
and their expertise is unsurpassed.
on the banks of the Ebro where it meets
that sort of guarantee, can you afford
email on website.
The majority of carp in the Ebro
the River Segre, the local scenery is
not to sample the mighty Ebro? CC
are big commons, and the fish tend to
breathtaking, and the wildlife is as
congregate in large shoals, particularly
amazing as the fishing. The town has
in winter, in the deep water of the
plenty of bars, restaurants and shops,
dammed sections of the river, which
and there are even several tackle
is where CatMaster take their guests.
shops if you need to purchase any kit.
The Ebro itself is over 900 miles
These areas are deep, with some
A day’s fishing with CatMaster usually
shallow reedy spots and a mix of both
starts with the guide collecting you from
fast- and slow-flowing water, although
the apartment at a pre-arranged time.
there are also areas which have virtually
You’ll be taken by van to the chosen
no flow at all that seem very much like
swim(s) for the day, and all the tackle
fishing a lake. These huge shoals of
will be set up ready to go. The guides
carp tend to range from 20-50lb, and
will supply breakfast and lunch on the
there’s a good chance of even bigger
bank while you are fishing, give you
fish, up to 70lb+ in some cases.
advice on the best methods, and help in
Fishing the Ebro is a totally different experience to the normal holiday carping
any way they can. Bait can be purchased as you go, and the hire of boats can
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Day Ticket Edges Harry Hales
DAY TICKET EDGES H A R R Y
H A L E S
Young up-and-coming carp angler Harry Hales is back in Crafty. He reveals his top tips for targeting pressured day ticket venues, as he’s had some real results of late.
1. GET ON THE NATURALS
This may seem like a strange tip to some, but it’s certainly one of my biggest edges for targeting pressured venues, especially the ultra-tricky Monument Carp Fishery in Shropshire. When the carp are feeding with little enthusiasm and neglecting conventional baits like boilies and pellets, it’s well worth giving the naturals a try. My two favourite naturals baits are worms and maggots, and the great thing is that you don’t need to introduce any loose feed around them. Generally, a bunch of maggots or some chopped worms flicked on to a showing fish is often enough to nick a bite. I’ve had loads of fish from the Monument on naturals, including plenty of lovely 30s.
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A N G L I N G
P U B L I C A T I O N S
P R O U D L Y
P R E S E N T S
CARP A N
E V E N I N G
O F
N O R TH
F R I D A Y T H E
H O L I D A Y
1 5 T H
I N N ,
H I G H
J A N U A R Y
R O A D ,
D O N C A S T E R
9 U X
HO L ME S
H A MIDI
• Cost of entry is £5.00 per person, payable on the door • There will be a raffle in conjunction with the PAG, with some great prizes to be won • Licensed bar on site • Doors open at 6.30 p.m.
D N 4
M A RK
ALI
An Evening of Carp once again returns to the Holiday Inn Doncaster. Our guest speakers for the evening are the one and only Ali Hamidi, author of The Carpers’ High, who has a stunning talk lined up about his adventures travelling the globe to film the new series of The Big Fish Off. Prolific big-carp-catcher Mark Holmes will also be on hand to reveal some of his recent outstanding captures, in his straight-talking and fascinating slide show.
2 0 1 5
• Doors close at 11.00 p.m. (approximately) • There will be trade stands from Angling Publications, the Predation Action Group and RG Baits, plus others
S U P P O RT I N G T H E
An Evening of Carp (Doncaster) is being held on the evening of Friday 15th January 2016 at The Holiday Inn Doncaster A1(M) Jct 36. High Road, Warmsworth, Doncaster DN4 9UX. Accommodation is available for anyone wanting to stay over and can be arranged directly with the hotel. The event organisers are Angling Publications Limited, and any questions (excluding accommodation) should be directed to pip@anglingpublications.co.uk
During the evening, Ali will be on hand to not only sign his book new book The Carpsers’ High but have pictures taken.
The event is being held at the Doncaster Holiday Inn (A1 (M) Jct 36) • Pay on the door • £5.00 per head • Doors open 6.30 p.m. Rooms are available for anyone wishing to stay over at the rate of £70.00 B&B based on a twin or double room. For reservations call the Holiday Inn, Doncaster on 01302 799988.
AEOF2016_Doncaster.indd 1
Doncaster Holiday Inn (A1 (M) Jct 36) Warmsworth, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 9UX Tel: 01302 799988 Fax: 01302 310197 ROAD: A1 (M) Junction 36 to A630 (T) Rotherham RAIL: Doncaster Station 3 miles AIR: Doncaster Airport 12 miles DIRECTIONS TO DONCASTER HOLIDAY INN From the A1 (M) Southbound/northbound leave at Junction 36. Take the A630 in the direction of Rotherham. The hotel entrance is 100 yards on the left-hand side. From the M1 M1 Junction 32 to M18. M18 Junction 2 A1 (M) northbound. Take Junction 36 for Rotherham/Doncaster (A630). Turn left at the roundabout (signposted Rotherham). The hotel entrance is 100 yards on the left-hand side. From the M62 M62 Junction 33 to A1 southbound. Leave at Junction 36. Take the A630 in the direction of Rotherham. The hotel entrance is 100 yards on the left-hand side. From Doncaster Town Centre Take A630 to Rotherham until you reach the A1 roundabout, go straight over the roundabout and the entrance to the hotel is 100 yards on the left-hand side.
03/12/2015 11:11