Fishery guide · Berkshire
Dinton Pastures
A council-run Thames Valley gravel-pit complex with genuine day-ticket access on White Swan and the River Loddon, plus two long-waiting-list members-only specimen lakes.
“7.2/10 — A big gravel pit plus a stretch of the River Loddon.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Dinton Pastures is run by Wokingham Borough Council as part of a 350-acre country park, and it has a serious reputation in carp circles — White Swan Lake in particular is described by Carpology as 'steeped in carp angling history'. It's not one fishery but five separate fishing locations within the park.
- 2 lakes: White Swan Lake, River Loddon
- Fish: carp, roach, barbel, perch, pike
- Tickets from: Casual day ticket, per rod (max 2 rods) — £10
- Find it: Hurst, near Wokingham · RG10 0TH
Plan your session
Fishery map of Dinton Pastures
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Community reported
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Water updates from anglers
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Fishery
Dinton Pastures
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Which lake suits you?
Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.
The full rundown on Dinton Pastures
Dinton Pastures is run by Wokingham Borough Council as part of a 350-acre country park, and it has a serious reputation in carp circles — White Swan Lake in particular is described by Carpology as 'steeped in carp angling history'. It's not one fishery but five separate fishing locations within the park.
Day-ticket access covers White Swan Lake and the River Loddon (plus Longmoor Lake at the council's separate California Country Park). Black Swan Lake and the Twyford Reserve are specimen-group members only, and both currently have closed waiting lists due to a stated 4–6 year wait.
Worth knowing: day tickets are bought from car-park ticket machines by entering 'FISH' as your registration, not from a bailiff or shop window, and parking is paid separately.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
“The two lakes which have captured my attention the most this season are similar in the sense that they are both mature gravel pits. They're both also extremely weedy and incredibly busy, and they contain stunning carp that have seen it all from some of the country's best anglers.”
— Carpology feature (Alex West), 27 Jan 2023 · Carpology
“Stock-wise, when I fished it in 2012, it seemed a few hundred fish were present with a good number of these being over thirty-pounds and a handful of forties.”
— Oz Holness (Carpology feature), 19 Jan 2017 · Carpology
Dinton Pastures FAQs
How do I buy a day ticket at Dinton Pastures?
From the car park ticket machines — enter 'FISH' as your car registration and as the reference, then pay separately for parking.
Can I join the Specimen Group for Black Swan or Twyford?
You can apply, but the council states waiting lists for Black Swan, White Swan night fishing and the Twyford Reserve are currently closed due to a 4–6 year wait.
Is White Swan easy fishing?
Not especially — multiple angler write-ups describe it as weedy and pressured, with carp that have seen plenty of tactics over the years, even though it's accessible on a day ticket.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Dinton Pastures. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Hurst, near Wokingham.
Do I need to bring food?
We haven't seen any food on site, so bring your own grub and drinks. A flask and a stove (where allowed) make a long day much better.
Are there toilets on site?
Not that we've seen listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
Yes — car park ticket machines for day tickets. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
RG10 0TH. RG10 0TH is the Davis Street entrance to Dinton Pastures Country Park — the council runs several fishing locations within it, so check which lake you're booked for before you set off.
How much is a ticket?
Casual day ticket, per rod (max 2 rods): £10; Day season ticket, standard, per rod: £115.50; Day season ticket, concession, per rod: £75.80. Prices last checked 2026-10-01 — they can change, so check before you go.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Day tickets are available on White Swan Lake, River Loddon. Busy weekends can fill up, so ring ahead if you've got your heart set on a swim.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find carp, roach, barbel, perch, pike. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
2 — White Swan Lake (24), River Loddon (river stretch, acreage not applicable).
Is night fishing allowed?
No — No night fishing except for Specimen Group members.
Can I bring my dog?
Not covered in the rules we've checked. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Are bait boats allowed?
We haven't seen a bait-boat rule listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need barbless hooks?
No — Barbless or crimped hooks only.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Bring one either way — most fisheries expect it and the fish deserve it.
Is it suitable for disabled anglers?
We haven't seen disabled access listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need a rod licence?
Yes — anyone 13 or over fishing in England and Wales needs an Environment Agency rod licence (or Natural Resources Wales in Wales), on top of your fishery ticket.
When's the best time of year to fish here?
Late spring through autumn is prime for most species. Check our live weather edge for this venue before you go — it updates daily.
Day ticket · turn up
White Swan Lake: a famous, weedy 24-acre day-ticket and members' lake
A famous, weedy day-ticket carp lake that rewards experience over easy access.
- Fishing Quality
- 7/10
- Swims & Banks
- 6/10
- Facilities
- 6/10
- Ease of Access
- 8/10
- Value for Money
- 8/10
Council describes top quality carp, rudd and roach; historic syndicate-era accounts mention carp to the forties.
90 swims over 24 acres, but historic accounts describe heavy weed growth and pressured fish.
Car park, paths and wider country park facilities; no dedicated fishing lodge.
Day tickets bought from car park machines, no booking needed for daytime fishing.
£10 for a 2-rod day ticket on a well-known lake is strong value.
- Size
- 24 acres
- Swims
- 90
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, roach
White Swan is the council's own 'premier fishing lake' at Dinton Pastures — 24 acres with 90 swims, open to day tickets and day season tickets for daytime fishing, with night fishing reserved for Specimen Group members on the (currently closed) waiting list.
Carpology's write-up of the lake, from when it ran as a syndicate water, describes a 'welly boot' shape running parallel to the River Loddon, with heavy weed growth and carp that 'have seen it all' after years of pressure from experienced anglers — so don't expect easy fishing just because it's day-ticket accessible.
A 2023 Carpology feature on the lake specifically mentions it as 'extremely weedy and incredibly busy', which lines up with multiple historic angler write-ups about needing to work hard for bites here, especially once the water's been fished hard through a season.
The council describes White Swan as stocked with top quality carp, rudd and roach; Carpology's 2017 account of the lake (from its syndicate era) described a few hundred fish including a good number over 30lb and a handful of forties.
Heads up: Older third-party write-ups describe White Swan's history as a syndicate water with named forties; today it's council-run day-ticket/day-season-ticket access for daytime fishing, with night fishing only for waiting-list Specimen Group members — so don't assume older accounts reflect current access.
Lake photographs
A look around White Swan Lake
Dinton Pastures
White Swan Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s White Swan Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Pictures on the fishery’s site · 1
Suits
- Carp anglers happy to work at pressured, weedy fishing
- Anglers wanting one of the Thames Valley's better-known day-ticket carp waters
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting an easy, lightly-pressured session
Bait, rigs & seasons
- A 2023 Korda feature on the lake described autumn weed-beds as still holding warmth and natural food into the colder months, making them worth focusing on as the lake goes quiet. — Carpology, 2017-01. Older advice, may not hold today.
How we'd fish White Swan Lake
carp
Solid PVA bag over the snaggy bits
With the features and a busy bottom, a solid bag keeps the hook point masked on the drop and sat neatly in a little pile of bait however rough the lakebed is.
- Tie a short, stiff hooklink (4–6in) so it packs into the bag without kinking.
- Fill the bag with a damp crumb mix and pack it tight — loose bags spill on the cast.
- Nick a wafter or small pop-up on the hair so it settles over the mix, not under it.
- Cast a few yards short of the feature, recast every couple of hours with a fresh bag.
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
Kit worth a look for this lake
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White Swan Lake FAQs
Can I day-ticket White Swan?
Yes, for daytime fishing — buy from the car park ticket machine (enter 'FISH' as your registration) or get a day season ticket from the council.
Can I night-fish White Swan on a day ticket?
No — night fishing is restricted to Specimen Group members, and that waiting list is currently closed.
What's the lake record on White Swan Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: The council describes White Swan as stocked with top quality carp, rudd and roach; Carpology's 2017 account of the lake (from its syndicate era) described a few hundred fish including a good number over 30lb and a handful of forties. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in White Swan Lake?
carp, roach. The council describes White Swan as stocked with top quality carp, rudd and roach; Carpology's 2017 account of the lake (from its syndicate era) described a few hundred fish including a good number over 30lb and a handful of forties.
How big is White Swan Lake and how many swims?
Around 24 acres with 90 swims. A famous, weedy 24-acre day-ticket and members' lake.
Which baits work well on White Swan Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for White Swan Lake further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does White Swan Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on White Swan Lake?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Dinton Pastures before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on White Swan Lake?
We've got 1 tip for White Swan Lake in the tips section above. We don't rank pegs — the fish move, and yesterday's hotspot is today's dead water. Watch the water when you arrive.
Can I fish White Swan Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — White Swan Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: Casual day ticket, per rod (max 2 rods) £10; Day season ticket, standard, per rod £115.50; Day season ticket, concession, per rod £75.80 (last checked 2026-10-01).
Is night fishing allowed on White Swan Lake?
No — No night fishing except for Specimen Group members.
Who does White Swan Lake suit?
Good for: Carp anglers happy to work at pressured, weedy fishing; Anglers wanting one of the Thames Valley's better-known day-ticket carp waters. Less suited to: Anyone wanting an easy, lightly-pressured session.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Day ticket · turn up
River Loddon: a day-ticket river stretch running through the park
A decent day-ticket river option for barbel, chub, perch and pike within the same park.
- Fishing Quality
- 6/10
- Swims & Banks
- 6/10
- Facilities
- 6/10
- Ease of Access
- 8/10
- Value for Money
- 8/10
Council describes 'exceptionally good quality' barbel, chub, perch and pike.
A natural river stretch rather than a managed lake, so swims are less defined.
Shared country park facilities.
Day ticket, no booking — though the statutory river close season applies.
£10 for a 2-rod day ticket is good value for river fishing.
- Size
- river stretch, acreage not applicable acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- barbel, perch, pike
The River Loddon winds through the western side of Dinton Pastures and is open to casual day tickets and day season tickets, same as White Swan. The council flags barbel, chub, perch and pike as the headline species.
A statutory close season applies on the river between midnight on 14th March and midnight on 15th June — unlike the lakes, which run a flexible, floating close season tied to spawning rather than a fixed calendar date.
The council describes an 'exceptionally good quality of fish' in the river, with barbel, chub, perch and pike as the main targets.
Lake photographs
A look around River Loddon
Dinton Pastures
River Loddon
We’re checking the fishery’s River Loddon pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- River anglers after barbel, chub, perch and pike
- Anglers wanting a change of pace from the stillwaters
Maybe not for
- Anyone turning up during the statutory river close season (mid-March to mid-June)
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish River Loddon
barbel
Pellet and boilie for the lake barbel
Lake barbel feed hard and fight harder, and this lake runs alongside the river. Use a strong rod and line, and rest them properly in the net before release.
- Halibut pellet or small boilie over a bed of pellet.
- Strong hooklink and a size 10–12 hook.
- Never hold barbel out of water long — keep them in the net until they've recovered.
perch
Worm or small lure for the perch
Perch hang round cover, boats and drop-offs. A lobworm on a light float, or a small lure worked along the features, will find them.
- Fish lobworm under a float tight to cover.
- On lures, try a small drop shot or soft shad near features.
- Feed chopped worm to keep them in the swim.
pike
Lure fishing for the pike
Lures let you cover water and find active pike fast.
- Spinners, jerkbaits and 4–6in soft shads on a 20–30g rod.
- Always use a wire trace — pike bite through mono and fluoro.
- Move every 10–15 casts till you find them; work drop-offs and edges.
chub
Bread or worm tight to cover for chub
Chub sit under overhanging trees and snags and are cautious, so a quiet approach and a natural bait near cover catches them.
- Bread flake or lobworm on a size 8 hook with a link leger.
- Keep low and quiet on the bank.
- In summer, try a free-lined slug or floating crust.
Kit worth a look for this lake
These open Amazon search results — check it’s the right version before you buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
River Loddon FAQs
Is there a close season on the River Loddon here?
Yes — the Environment Agency's statutory close season applies, from midnight 14th March to midnight 15th June.
What's the lake record on River Loddon?
Going by what the fishery says: The council describes an 'exceptionally good quality of fish' in the river, with barbel, chub, perch and pike as the main targets. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in River Loddon?
barbel, perch, pike. The council describes an 'exceptionally good quality of fish' in the river, with barbel, chub, perch and pike as the main targets.
How big is River Loddon and how many swims?
Around river stretch, acreage not applicable acres. A day-ticket river stretch running through the park.
Which baits work well on River Loddon?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for River Loddon further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does River Loddon get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on River Loddon?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Dinton Pastures before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on River Loddon?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish River Loddon on a day ticket?
Yes — River Loddon is on the day ticket. Tickets: Casual day ticket, per rod (max 2 rods) £10; Day season ticket, standard, per rod £115.50; Day season ticket, concession, per rod £75.80 (last checked 2026-10-01).
Is night fishing allowed on River Loddon?
No — No night fishing except for Specimen Group members.
Who does River Loddon suit?
Good for: River anglers after barbel, chub, perch and pike; Anglers wanting a change of pace from the stillwaters. Less suited to: Anyone turning up during the statutory river close season (mid-March to mid-June).
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Venue Rule Checker
- No
Barbed hooks?
Barbless or crimped hooks only.
- No
Night fishing?
No night fishing except for Specimen Group members.
- No
Live bait fish?
No live bait fish to be used.
- Must
Rod licence?
All anglers aged 12 and above must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence.
- Must
Valid ticket required?
No person is permitted to fish without a valid ticket or permit, bought from car park machines or the council office.
- No
Can I take fish home?
No fish whatsoever are to be killed or taken away from the Country Parks.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 1 October 2026. Rules change — always check with the fishery before you go.
Tips & guides worth reading
How we'd fish each lake
Our own suggestions, worked out from each lake's features, its main fish and the venue rules. They're tried-and-tested methods, not reports from this venue, so watch the water and ask in the tackle shop on the day.
White Swan Lake
carp
Solid PVA bag over the snaggy bits
With the features and a busy bottom, a solid bag keeps the hook point masked on the drop and sat neatly in a little pile of bait however rough the lakebed is.
- Tie a short, stiff hooklink (4–6in) so it packs into the bag without kinking.
- Fill the bag with a damp crumb mix and pack it tight — loose bags spill on the cast.
- Nick a wafter or small pop-up on the hair so it settles over the mix, not under it.
- Cast a few yards short of the feature, recast every couple of hours with a fresh bag.
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
River Loddon
barbel
Pellet and boilie for the lake barbel
Lake barbel feed hard and fight harder, and this lake runs alongside the river. Use a strong rod and line, and rest them properly in the net before release.
- Halibut pellet or small boilie over a bed of pellet.
- Strong hooklink and a size 10–12 hook.
- Never hold barbel out of water long — keep them in the net until they've recovered.
perch
Worm or small lure for the perch
Perch hang round cover, boats and drop-offs. A lobworm on a light float, or a small lure worked along the features, will find them.
- Fish lobworm under a float tight to cover.
- On lures, try a small drop shot or soft shad near features.
- Feed chopped worm to keep them in the swim.
pike
Lure fishing for the pike
Lures let you cover water and find active pike fast.
- Spinners, jerkbaits and 4–6in soft shads on a 20–30g rod.
- Always use a wire trace — pike bite through mono and fluoro.
- Move every 10–15 casts till you find them; work drop-offs and edges.
chub
Bread or worm tight to cover for chub
Chub sit under overhanging trees and snags and are cautious, so a quiet approach and a natural bait near cover catches them.
- Bread flake or lobworm on a size 8 hook with a link leger.
- Keep low and quiet on the bank.
- In summer, try a free-lined slug or floating crust.
Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.
- White Swan Lake, Dinton Pastures venue guide — Total Carp Magazine, 2021-05
- How Oz Holness cracked Dinton's White Swan — Carpology, 2017-01
- White Swan Lake, Dinton Pastures Country Park (photo) — Geograph Britain and Ireland, 2009-07
Videos linked by the fishery
What anglers reckon
7.2/10 from Tackle Index: A big gravel pit plus a stretch of the River Loddon.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
“The two lakes which have captured my attention the most this season are similar in the sense that they are both mature gravel pits. They're both also extremely weedy and incredibly busy, and they contain stunning carp that have seen it all from some of the country's best anglers.”
— Carpology feature (Alex West), 27 Jan 2023 · Carpology
“Stock-wise, when I fished it in 2012, it seemed a few hundred fish were present with a good number of these being over thirty-pounds and a handful of forties.”
— Oz Holness (Carpology feature), 19 Jan 2017 · Carpology
Our take on the feedback
Our read
Checked Sept '26 — “A council-run Thames Valley gravel-pit complex with genuine day-ticket access on White Swan and the River Loddon, plus two long-waiting-list members-only specimen lakes.”
This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.
Angler score
What our readers rate Dinton Pastures
No angler score yet — nobody's reviewed Dinton Pastures here. Be the first and get the score started.