WELCOME TO OLIVEMEAD LAKE THE UK’s PREMIERE SPECIMEN CARP FISHING HOLIDAY VENUE.
Olivemead Lake, affectionately known as “The Mead” or “The Home Of The Hippos”, is a private and picturesque 3-acre lake situated within its own 8-acre grounds.
At Olivemead Lake, we understand that a fishing holiday is about more than just the catch; it’s about creating lasting memories with loved ones. Since 2007, we as a family have poured our hearts into providing a warm and welcoming environment for all who visit. Nestled in the picturesque Wiltshire countryside, Olivemead Lake is a hidden gem with luxury self-catering lodge accommodations that feel like a home away from home. We are conveniently located near the historic market towns of Royal Wootton Bassett, Chippenham, Malmesbury, and also the M4 & M5, making it easy for you and your family to escape to this peaceful retreat from The Midlands, London, and the southwest of England.
We have meticulously crafted our carp fishery into a sanctuary for big specimen carp. This has made Olivemead Lake a beloved destination for carp anglers and their families, earning us the title of the UK’s number one premiere “BIG” carp fishing holiday venue. We genuinely believe that the sheer number of 20lb+, 30lb+, and even 40lb+ carp per acre you’ll find here is unmatched anywhere else in Britain, and we are proud to watch these magnificent carp thrive day after day.
Here are the current lake records along with some of our most sought-after carp
In the top left is Luke, who holds the current men’s lake record with a catch he named “Luca” weighing 47lb 2oz. In the bottom left, we have Rob with “Split Dorsal,” the biggest common and the most sought-after carp by all anglers that fish at The Mead, weighing in at 40lb 4oz. The top right features Courtney, the current ladies’ lake record holder with a catch of 43lb. Finally, in the bottom right, we see Scott and his nephew Albie with a young carp named “Joshua’s Cousin,” stocked in our stock pond in April 2024 at 26lb 2oz. We are confident that this young carp will become a future “Legend of The Mead,” much like “Split Dorsal,” and will soon be a sought-after capture for many anglers.
STOCKING LEVELS
‘The Mead’ has impressive stocking levels. The main lake houses around 160 King Carp, out of which more than 90 weigh over 20lb, over 50 weigh over 30lb, and 6 WEIGH OVER 40lb. The current lake record is held by a huge mirror carp named ‘Luca’ at 47lb 2oz. Additionally, there are Tench weighing over 12lb, Perch over 4lb, Roach over 2lb, and Pike exceeding 20lb. The Mead has a comprehensive management and de-stocking program that removes smaller carp and silverfish every 12-18 months, allowing a large reduction in Olivemead’s biomass, and allowing remaining specimen Carp and Tench to flourish and grow at an expediential rate year on year. The Mead does NOT have Bream. Per acre of water, The Mead has around 30+ x 20lb+ carp, 17 x 30lb+ carp, and more than 2 x 40lb+ carp. It is a rare feat for a carp venue in the UK to have such a high concentration of large carp.
ACCOMMODATION
Currently, we offer 4 lodges, each accommodating 2 anglers. Our larger lodges include Willows Lodge, Cedars Lodge, and The Main Lodge. If you’re interested in experiencing the ultimate carp fishing getaway at Olivemead Lake, where our luxurious self-catering lodges offer the perfect blend of relaxation and outstanding carp fishing opportunities, please see the ‘carp holidays’ section. There are only 4 lodges available on Olivemead at the moment, which means that each lodge has access to at least 20% (⅕) of the lake’s water. NEW FOR SPRING 2025: THE NEW OAK LODGE IN THE OLD OAK BIVVY SWIM (This will be available for booking soon!)
Over the years, ‘The Mead’ has matured into a beautiful and impressive lake, which is well-maintained by our manager, Caleb. The margins are lined with reeds and lilies, and there are two islands in the middle of the lake. There is an abundance of wildlife on the lake, from Ducks and Geese to Kingfishers and Moorhens. The atmosphere is relaxing, and visitors can come and unwind while fishing for huge English Carp. All our lodges have FREE access to Wi-Fi and Netflix, and the lake is under 24/7 CCTV security surveillance.
BAIT
At ‘The Mead’, we have our own boilies made to Scott’s unique specification using high-quality HNV base ingredients with various flavours and enhancers added. Our focus is on the health of our carp, and we regularly feed these boilies into the lake. Additionally, we provide a very High Nutritional Value feed boilie, specially designed for the carp’s digestive system, allowing them to absorb maximum micro and macro nutrients along with all the bulk nutrients they need. We feed all our bait/food items into ‘The Mead’ twice per week throughout the year, ensuring that the carp are healthy and hungry. This, in turn, results in phenomenal growth increases, which The Mead carp are currently experiencing. We also now stock some of the Parker Baits range and some of the Kiana Carp Goo (Korda Goo) flavours, to find out more click the button down below.
If you’re searching for a private carp water that’s not crowded, with a maximum of only eight anglers allowed at any given time, and home to a large population of huge English Carp, then look no further than The Mead. You won’t find a better lake, and we guarantee that you won’t be disappointed with your visit. You can book your holiday securely online through our website.