Olivemead Lake, Dauntsey, Chippenham, Wiltshire
SN15 4JF · a three acre lake in eight acres of private grounds
Specimen Carp Fishing Lodges With Carp Over 40lb on a Private Lake
Five lodges share Olivemead Lake near Chippenham, known to carp anglers as The Mead, with around 170 carp including 60 over 30lb. Each lodge has access to at least a fifth of the water and up to two dogs are welcome.
A serious big-carp lake shared by only five lodges, if you can get a booking. Olivemead holds around 170 carp in three acres, over 90 above 20lb, 60 above 30lb and six above 40lb, with a lake record of 47lb 2oz. With at most ten anglers on the lake and each lodge covering a fifth of the water, it fishes like a small syndicate. The catch is availability: most guests come back and book well ahead.
Good for
- Carp anglers chasing a Wiltshire thirty or forty
- Two anglers sharing a lodge
- Bringing up to two dogs
Think twice if
- You only fish barbless: Olivemead requires barbed or micro-barbed hooks
- You want to book at short notice: returning guests book far ahead
Pack barbed hooks and tubing
The rules require barbed or micro-barbed hooks, at least 14 inches of tubing, no leadcore or braid above the lead and no fixed leads. Nut baits and floater fishing are banned.
What a Stay at Olivemead Lakes Is Like
Olivemead Lake sits in eight acres of private grounds at Dauntsey, near Chippenham, and carp anglers know it as The Mead. There are five self-catering lodges around the three acre lake: The Main Lodge, Sadie's Lodge, Willows Lodge, Cedars Lodge and Oak Lodge, which is new for 2025.
Each lodge takes two anglers and up to two non-angling guests and two dogs, with wifi, Netflix and 24 hour CCTV on site. Check-in is 1pm, check-out 10am, and the gates are locked from 8:30pm to 8am.
Around 170 carp in three acres, with 60 over 30lb.
The stock is the draw: around 170 king carp, more than 90 over 20lb, 60 over 30lb and six over 40lb, with the lake record, a fish called Luca, at 47lb 2oz. There are also tench over 12lb, pike over 20lb, perch over 4lb and roach over 2lb.
Reviews praise clean lodges, helpful staff and the grounds, and the venue says most guests return, many booking a long way ahead.
Written from guest reviews and the venue’s published details. We have not stayed here ourselves.
The Fishing at Olivemead Lakes
A three acre lake with around 170 king carp, fished by the five lodges only, with a maximum of ten anglers at a time.
Which lake is which
| Lake | Type | Pegs | Size | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olivemead Lake (The Mead) | Lodge guests only | 5 lodges, max 10 anglers | 3 acres | – | Carp to 47lb 2oz, tench 12lb+, pike 20lb+, perch, roach |
Tickets, times and rules
| Anglers | 2 per lodge, 2 rods each; maximum 10 on the lake |
| Hooks | Barbed or micro-barbed only; no barbless |
| Rigs | Minimum 14 inch tubing, no leadcore or braid above the lead, no fixed leads |
| Bait | No whole nut baits; no floater fishing |
| Rods | Never leave rods unattended |
| Guests and dogs | Up to 2 non-angling guests and 2 well behaved dogs per lodge |
| Gates | Locked 8:30pm to 8am |
| Minimum stay | 2 nights |
The Lodges
Five self-catering lodges around the lake, each for two anglers plus up to two guests.
What Guests Say
Consistently praised
- Clean lodges
- Helpful staff
- Beautiful grounds
Worth knowing
- Books up far in advance
Summarised in our own words from public reviews.
Questions About Olivemead Lakes
How big are the carp at Olivemead?
Around 170 carp, with more than 90 over 20lb, 60 over 30lb and six over 40lb. The lake record is 47lb 2oz.
Source: olivemeadlake.co.uk
Why barbed hooks?
The lake rules require barbed or micro-barbed hooks and do not allow barbless.
Source: olivemeadlake.co.uk rules
How much does a lodge cost?
Prices start at £325 for Sadie's Lodge and £474 for the other lodges, for the two night minimum including VAT.
Source: olivemeadlake.co.uk booking pages
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, up to two well behaved dogs per lodge.
Source: olivemeadlake.co.uk rules
How many anglers are on the lake?
No more than ten: two anglers in each of the five lodges.
Source: olivemeadlake.co.uk
Getting There
Dauntsey, Chippenham, Wiltshire. Postcode SN15 4JF.
Open in Google Maps · Phone 07940 356737
Check-in 1pm, check-out 10am; gates locked 8:30pm to 8am.