Fishery guide · Surrey
Old Bury Hill Lakes
A 200-year-old Surrey estate fishery that moved from day tickets to members-only access in 2023 — still open to anyone who joins, just not as a casual day ticket.
“7.1/10 — Three estate lakes with carp, coarse fish and a separate specimen water.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Bury Hill has been a well-known Surrey water for decades, but it's worth knowing upfront: since 1st March 2023 it has been members-only across the board, and the historic Old Lake closed to fishing for good on 6th February 2023. There's no turn-up day ticket here any more.
- 3 lakes: Milton Lake, Bonds Lake, Temple Lake
- Fish: tench, bream, roach, carp
- Tickets from: Day Membership, annual fee (adult) — £40
- Find it: Westcott, near Dorking · RH4 3JU
Plan your session
Fishery map of Old Bury Hill Lakes
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Fishery
Old Bury Hill Lakes
We haven’t got permission to show venue photos here yet. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Which lake suits you?
Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.
The full rundown on Old Bury Hill Lakes
Bury Hill has been a well-known Surrey water for decades, but it's worth knowing upfront: since 1st March 2023 it has been members-only across the board, and the historic Old Lake closed to fishing for good on 6th February 2023. There's no turn-up day ticket here any more.
What's left is two membership routes. Day Membership covers Bonds and Milton Lakes for a modest annual fee plus a charge each time you fish. Specimen Carp Membership is the route onto Temple Lake, Bury Hill's dedicated big-carp water, also for an annual fee plus session charges.
A 2025 Carp.com forum thread marking what posters believed might be a final closing weekend for the fishery is a useful read if you're weighing this one up — long-time anglers share decades of memories, and it's not all glowing (there's chat about netting Milton and a loss of character some feel has followed the move to private ownership). We've linked it rather than smoothing it over.
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.
“It is a very nice place and the lakes have what you want. Big fish but not catching much you want old lake, carp of all sizes you want bonds lake and temple is silver fish. It is very nice and a nice place for fishing.”
— jacknip910, Oct 2018 · Tripadvisor
“Bury Hill had changed and now there are three lakes. Milton lake is great for Crucians, Roach and...”
— rayrest, Jun 2023 · Tripadvisor
“Milton lake was always my favorite, used to be fantastic for crucians and tench on the pole, then as ever I think it was netted and was never the same again.”
— OldBoy, 26 Feb 2025 · Carp.com forum
Old Bury Hill Lakes FAQs
Is Bury Hill still a day-ticket fishery?
No. Since 1st March 2023 it has been members-only — Day Membership (Bonds/Milton) and Specimen Carp Membership (Temple) are the only routes in, both with an annual fee on top of per-visit charges.
What happened to the Old Lake?
The historic Old Lake closed to fishing for good on 6th February 2023, as part of the move to a smaller, members-only operation, according to the fishery's own notices and third-party coverage.
Is Bury Hill good value?
Reviewers are mixed on this since the move to membership — some still rate the fishing highly, while a 2025 Carp.com thread has longtime anglers reflecting on how different it feels from its day-ticket decades.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Old Bury Hill Lakes. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Westcott, near Dorking.
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?
Yes — the fishery lists toilet and washing facilities.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off. Bring a barrow in case it's a walk.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
RH4 3JU. RH4 3JU covers the Boathouse estate office off the A25 — follow the fishery's own directions rather than a sat-nav pin, as the old main gate arrangements have changed since the Old Lake closed.
How much is a ticket?
Day Membership, annual fee (adult): £40; Day Membership, annual fee (junior/senior/disabled): £30; Day Membership fishing charge, 1 rod / 2 rods: £14 / £19; Specimen Carp Membership, annual fee (incl. first 24hrs): £100; Specimen Carp Membership, 24hrs (Mar–Oct): £38. 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 Milton Lake, Bonds Lake. 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 tench, bream, roach, carp. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
3 — Milton Lake (3), Bonds Lake (2), Temple Lake (4).
Is night fishing allowed?
No — Strictly no night fishing — anglers must be off the fishery by the closing time on their booking.
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, straight hooks only — barbed, curved and bent hooks are banned fishery-wide.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Yes, it's required — A large, padded unhooking mat is required at all times a fish is out of the water.
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.
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Day ticket · turn up
Milton Lake: a quiet pole-and-float water for tench, crucians and specimen roach
A calm, well-stocked tench and crucian water, but only reachable via annual membership.
- Fishing Quality
- 7/10
- Swims & Banks
- 7/10
- Facilities
- 7/10
- Ease of Access
- 4/10
- Value for Money
- 6/10
The fishery describes strong tench, crucian and specimen roach sport away from the carp lakes.
Generously pegged for a 3-acre lake, with islands and planted margins.
Shared estate facilities including toilets and washing.
Day Membership (annual fee plus per-visit charge) is required — no casual day ticket.
A modest annual fee, though it adds up against a simple day ticket elsewhere.
- Size
- 3 acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- tench, bream, roach
Milton is three acres, landscaped back in 1991 with islands and sub-surface features, and deliberately kept lighter on carp so anglers who want tench, crucian carp, roach, rudd and perch have somewhere calm to fish. The fishery says thousands of lilies, reeds, irises and shrubs were planted around it, and that still shapes how it fishes.
The bank's generously pegged for a lake this size, and the official page describes sessions of 50-plus crucians averaging over 2lb, plus a developing specimen roach stock to 3lb from restocking off the other lakes. Pole tactics up against the reeds and lilies, or waggler/feeder further out, both get a mention as working methods.
The fishery describes large numbers of tench, genuine crucian carp, roach, rudd and perch, with a few bream — Milton's crucians have reportedly topped 3lb and tench over 7lb.
Lake photographs
A look around Milton Lake
Old Bury Hill Lakes
Milton Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Milton Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Pole and float anglers after tench, crucians and roach
- Anyone wanting a break from carp-dominated day tickets
- Match-style sessions on natural baits
Maybe not for
- Anglers specifically chasing big carp — that's Temple
Bait, rigs & seasons
- The fishery's own Milton page says soft hooker pellets, maggots, casters, corn, worms, bread and meat all work, with small, regular balls of groundbait helping concentrate fish. — Bury Hill Angling Club, live site
How we'd fish Milton Lake
tench
Lift method float for tench
Tench feed with their heads down and tip baits up — the lift method shows that bite as the float rising and lying flat. Perfect for fishing tight to the cover here.
- Fish the margin at dawn with a straight waggler, locked by a single big shot 2–3in from the hook.
- Rake or lightly bait the swim with hemp, corn and maggot.
- Strike when the float lifts or lies flat. Bread, corn or worm on a size 12–14.
bream
Waggler and groundbait for bream
If they're within waggler range, float fishing over balls of groundbait is a great way to pick off bream.
- Ball in groundbait with casters and chopped worm at the start.
- Set the float a touch over-depth and watch for slow lifts.
- Top up when bites slow.
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.
rudd
Floating baits and shallow float for rudd
Rudd feed high in the water, often near reeds and lilies on warm days. Fish up in the water to them, not on the bottom.
- A light waggler set 1–2ft deep with a single maggot or caster on a size 18.
- Loose-feed little and often to bring them up.
- Floating bread flake works brilliantly in summer.
Kit worth a look for this lake
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Milton Lake FAQs
Can I day-ticket Milton Lake?
No — Milton is covered by Day Membership, which needs a small annual fee plus a fishing charge each visit, not a casual walk-up ticket.
Are there carp in Milton?
The fishery deliberately limits carp numbers here to protect the tench, crucian and roach fishing, so it's a mixed coarse lake rather than a carp water.
What's the lake record on Milton Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: The fishery describes large numbers of tench, genuine crucian carp, roach, rudd and perch, with a few bream — Milton's crucians have reportedly topped 3lb and tench over 7lb. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Milton Lake?
tench, bream, roach. The fishery describes large numbers of tench, genuine crucian carp, roach, rudd and perch, with a few bream — Milton's crucians have reportedly topped 3lb and tench over 7lb.
How big is Milton Lake and how many swims?
Around 3 acres. A quiet pole-and-float water for tench, crucians and specimen roach.
Which baits work well on Milton Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Milton 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 Milton 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 Milton 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 Old Bury Hill Lakes before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Milton Lake?
We've got 1 tip for Milton 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 Milton Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Milton Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: Day Membership, annual fee (adult) £40; Day Membership, annual fee (junior/senior/disabled) £30; Day Membership fishing charge, 1 rod / 2 rods £14 / £19; Specimen Carp Membership, annual fee (incl. first 24hrs) £100; Specimen Carp Membership, 24hrs (Mar–Oct) £38 (last checked 2026-10-01).
Is night fishing allowed on Milton Lake?
No — Strictly no night fishing — anglers must be off the fishery by the closing time on their booking.
Who does Milton Lake suit?
Good for: Pole and float anglers after tench, crucians and roach; Anyone wanting a break from carp-dominated day tickets; Match-style sessions on natural baits. Less suited to: Anglers specifically chasing big carp — that's Temple.
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How busy was it?
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No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
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Day ticket · turn up
Bonds Lake: a hectic 'runs' water for carp-crunching sport
Hectic, high-volume carp action in a small, pretty lake — again, members only.
- Fishing Quality
- 7/10
- Swims & Banks
- 6/10
- Facilities
- 7/10
- Ease of Access
- 4/10
- Value for Money
- 6/10
The fishery describes carp averaging 8-12lb with pleasure catches of 10-20 fish a session.
A compact 2-acre lake with a central island, so it can feel busy.
Shared estate facilities.
Day Membership required, same as Milton.
Same fee structure as Milton Lake.
- Size
- 2 acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, tench, roach, bream
Bonds is a two-acre lake with depths to 5ft, built around a large central island and lined with irises. The fishery pitches it squarely as action fishing: lots of carp in the 8–12lb bracket competing hard for food, so pleasure catches of 10–20 fish in a session are described as commonplace in the warmer months.
Method feeder or a straight leger to the island or margins with small pop-ups is the approach the fishery itself describes as successful — finesse matters less here than steady, confident feeding given how many fish are competing.
The fishery describes a lake full of hard-fighting single- and double-figure carp averaging 8–12lb, with the top individual weight quoted at over 30lb.
Lake photographs
A look around Bonds Lake
Old Bury Hill Lakes
Bonds Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Bonds Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Pictures on the fishery’s site · 1
See the official Bonds Lake page for its pictures
Suits
- Anglers who want a bend in the rod rather than one big fish
- Float and feeder anglers happy with smaller, scrappy carp
- Learning anglers building confidence
Maybe not for
- Specimen hunters — the lake is built for numbers, not size
Bait, rigs & seasons
- The fishery's own Bonds page recommends method feeders or a straight leger cast to the island or down the margins with mini pop-ups on hairs. — Bury Hill Angling Club, live site
How we'd fish Bonds Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
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.
tench
Lift method float for tench
Tench feed with their heads down and tip baits up — the lift method shows that bite as the float rising and lying flat.
- Fish the margin at dawn with a straight waggler, locked by a single big shot 2–3in from the hook.
- Rake or lightly bait the swim with hemp, corn and maggot.
- Strike when the float lifts or lies flat. Bread, corn or worm on a size 12–14.
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
These open Amazon search results — check it’s the right version before you buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Bonds Lake FAQs
How big do Bonds carp get?
The fishery describes an average of 8–12lb, with the lake's top individual weight quoted at over 30lb.
Do I need a big landing net for Bonds?
The fishery's general rules require a large unhooking mat and landing net fishery-wide for carp, even on a smaller-average water like Bonds.
What's the lake record on Bonds Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: The fishery describes a lake full of hard-fighting single- and double-figure carp averaging 8–12lb, with the top individual weight quoted at over 30lb. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Bonds Lake?
carp, tench, roach, bream. The fishery describes a lake full of hard-fighting single- and double-figure carp averaging 8–12lb, with the top individual weight quoted at over 30lb.
How big is Bonds Lake and how many swims?
Around 2 acres. A hectic 'runs' water for carp-crunching sport.
Which baits work well on Bonds Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Bonds 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 Bonds 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 Bonds 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 Old Bury Hill Lakes before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Bonds Lake?
We've got 1 tip for Bonds 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 Bonds Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Bonds Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: Day Membership, annual fee (adult) £40; Day Membership, annual fee (junior/senior/disabled) £30; Day Membership fishing charge, 1 rod / 2 rods £14 / £19; Specimen Carp Membership, annual fee (incl. first 24hrs) £100; Specimen Carp Membership, 24hrs (Mar–Oct) £38 (last checked 2026-10-01).
Is night fishing allowed on Bonds Lake?
No — Strictly no night fishing — anglers must be off the fishery by the closing time on their booking.
Who does Bonds Lake suit?
Good for: Anglers who want a bend in the rod rather than one big fish; Float and feeder anglers happy with smaller, scrappy carp; Learning anglers building confidence. Less suited to: Specimen hunters — the lake is built for numbers, not size.
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
Pre-book only
Temple Lake: bury hill's purpose-built, members-only specimen carp lake
A serious, well-documented specimen carp lake, but an expensive, low-availability members-only water.
- Fishing Quality
- 8/10
- Swims & Banks
- 8/10
- Facilities
- 7/10
- Ease of Access
- 4/10
- Value for Money
- 5/10
The fishery states over 100 twenty-pounders, a dozen-plus thirties and at least two forties from a dedicated 2002 stocking programme.
Purpose-built swims, four islands and varied depths across just 15 pegs.
Toilet/kitchenette unit near the lake; shared estate facilities otherwise.
Specimen Carp Membership (annual fee plus per-session charges) is required.
A real financial step up from a typical day-ticket specimen lake.
- Size
- 4 acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp
Temple is a dedicated big-carp lake built in 2002 at a stated cost of £350,000, stocked with hand-picked pedigree English carp — commons, mirrors, linears and ghost commons. The fishery says growth rates have been phenomenal, with some fish gaining up to 7lb in a year.
There are four central islands and depths from 6–10ft, with just 15 pegs spaced around 30 metres apart (less than four per acre) and a self-imposed cap of 12 anglers on the lake at once — average numbers are closer to five. Purpose-built, free-draining swims and a toilet/kitchenette unit nearby support longer sessions.
The fishery describes over 100 twenty-pounders, more than a dozen different thirties and at least two fish over 40lb in Temple's four acres, from a £350,000 stocking programme completed in 2002 using pedigree English carp.
Lake photographs
A look around Temple Lake
Old Bury Hill Lakes
Temple Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Temple Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Pictures on the fishery’s site · 2
See the official Temple Lake page for its pictures
Suits
- Experienced specimen carp anglers happy to pay for low-pressure access
- Anglers who value documented, known stock over numbers
Maybe not for
- Casual anglers wanting a cheap one-off session — this is membership-only with its own annual fee
Bait, rigs & seasons
- The fishery's own Temple page notes the lake has dozens of underwater features across every swim and varying depths of 6–10ft, so moving swim to find the right depth is part of the game here. — Bury Hill Angling Club, live site
How we'd fish Temple Lake
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
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.
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
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.
Temple Lake FAQs
Can I fish Temple on a day ticket?
No — it's Specimen Carp Membership only: an annual fee (which includes your first 24-hour session) plus a charge each time you book in afterwards.
What net size does Temple require?
The fishery's Temple-specific rules set a minimum landing net size of 42 inches.
What's the lake record on Temple Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: The fishery describes over 100 twenty-pounders, more than a dozen different thirties and at least two fish over 40lb in Temple's four acres, from a £350,000 stocking programme completed in 2002 using pedigree English carp. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Temple Lake?
carp. The fishery describes over 100 twenty-pounders, more than a dozen different thirties and at least two fish over 40lb in Temple's four acres, from a £350,000 stocking programme completed in 2002 using pedigree English carp.
How big is Temple Lake and how many swims?
Around 4 acres. Bury Hill's purpose-built, members-only specimen carp lake.
Which baits work well on Temple Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Temple 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 Temple Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Temple 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 Old Bury Hill Lakes before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Temple Lake?
We've got 1 tip for Temple 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.
Is night fishing allowed on Temple Lake?
No — Strictly no night fishing — anglers must be off the fishery by the closing time on their booking.
Who does Temple Lake suit?
Good for: Experienced specimen carp anglers happy to pay for low-pressure access; Anglers who value documented, known stock over numbers. Less suited to: Casual anglers wanting a cheap one-off session — this is membership-only with its own annual fee.
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, straight hooks only — barbed, curved and bent hooks are banned fishery-wide.
- No
Keepnets allowed?
Keepnets are not permitted; all fish must be returned immediately after capture.
- No
Fixed leads?
All forms of fixed lead and leadcore are banned; only free-running leads with a safety clip and tubing.
- Must
Unhooking mat required?
A large, padded unhooking mat is required at all times a fish is out of the water.
- No
Night fishing?
Strictly no night fishing — anglers must be off the fishery by the closing time on their booking.
- No
Particle baits?
Particle baits and bloodworm are banned, with the exception of sweetcorn, hemp and carp pellet.
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.
Milton Lake
tench
Lift method float for tench
Tench feed with their heads down and tip baits up — the lift method shows that bite as the float rising and lying flat. Perfect for fishing tight to the cover here.
- Fish the margin at dawn with a straight waggler, locked by a single big shot 2–3in from the hook.
- Rake or lightly bait the swim with hemp, corn and maggot.
- Strike when the float lifts or lies flat. Bread, corn or worm on a size 12–14.
bream
Waggler and groundbait for bream
If they're within waggler range, float fishing over balls of groundbait is a great way to pick off bream.
- Ball in groundbait with casters and chopped worm at the start.
- Set the float a touch over-depth and watch for slow lifts.
- Top up when bites slow.
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.
rudd
Floating baits and shallow float for rudd
Rudd feed high in the water, often near reeds and lilies on warm days. Fish up in the water to them, not on the bottom.
- A light waggler set 1–2ft deep with a single maggot or caster on a size 18.
- Loose-feed little and often to bring them up.
- Floating bread flake works brilliantly in summer.
Bonds Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
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.
tench
Lift method float for tench
Tench feed with their heads down and tip baits up — the lift method shows that bite as the float rising and lying flat.
- Fish the margin at dawn with a straight waggler, locked by a single big shot 2–3in from the hook.
- Rake or lightly bait the swim with hemp, corn and maggot.
- Strike when the float lifts or lies flat. Bread, corn or worm on a size 12–14.
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.
Temple Lake
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
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.
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.
- Bury Hill Fisheries listing — Fisheries.co.uk, undated, references Feb 2023 closure of the Old Lake
- Bury Hill Fisheries listing (pre-2023 lake descriptions) — FishAdviser, undated, describes the pre-members-only Old Lake
- Bury Hill Fisheries reviews — Tripadvisor, reviews 2015–2019
- Bury Hill Memories thread — Carp.com forum, 2025-02
Videos linked by the fishery
What anglers reckon
7.1/10 from Tackle Index: Three estate lakes with carp, coarse fish and a separate specimen water.
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.
“It is a very nice place and the lakes have what you want. Big fish but not catching much you want old lake, carp of all sizes you want bonds lake and temple is silver fish. It is very nice and a nice place for fishing.”
— jacknip910, Oct 2018 · Tripadvisor
“Bury Hill had changed and now there are three lakes. Milton lake is great for Crucians, Roach and...”
— rayrest, Jun 2023 · Tripadvisor
“Milton lake was always my favorite, used to be fantastic for crucians and tench on the pole, then as ever I think it was netted and was never the same again.”
— OldBoy, 26 Feb 2025 · Carp.com forum
Our take on the feedback
Our read
Checked Sept '26 — “A 200-year-old Surrey estate fishery that moved from day tickets to members-only access in 2023 — still open to anyone who joins, just not as a casual day ticket.”
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
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