London Shore Fishing Noobie

[Parkournerd]

Hello everyone,

After doing a lot of panfishing with a family friend this summer, I decided that I might want to get my own rod. After a bunch of research, I found that I'll probably want a 7' rod with fast response and a medium-light power. From what I've read that'll be decent for pan fish, but also be suitable for steelhead and trout as well as some Pike once I'm more experienced.

The panfish are close and plentiful, but I don't think they would be enough of a motivation to get my own equipment, seeing that I'm very budget limited at the moment in terms of having money for hobbies. I can spend around $300 this summer and I'm fine with that, but I don't know where to fish these other fish.

I live in London, but don't really want to fish there because I'd rather catch fish to eat as that's a bit more justifiable in my mind than hurting fish then putting them back. Could you wonderful people suggest places within 2h of London where I could shore fish?

Thank you very much .