Shearwater Lake
Shearwater Lake
4.5
About
Forest and lake.part of the Longleat stately home estate
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles180 reviews
Excellent
101
Very good
51
Average
13
Poor
5
Terrible
10

David J M
Carlisle, United Kingdom20 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Friends
We have fished here 3 years on the trot now and the first 2 years were brilliant plenty of bream good roach and decent carp but we fished mainly for the bream. This year tactics and bait were the same so was the weather, 2 full days 3 good roach 1 bream and 1 skimmer that was it in total. We went right around the lake on both sides each day and there was NO sign of the shoals of bream at all and in our view the fish had been removed either to sell or to put into other lakes on the estate when I asked the baillif I was told oh it's the weather. Sorry but No it isn't the weather you have just removed most of the bream for whatever reasons financial or something else. If you feel like a good days fishing go to Viaduct fisheries instead it's closer cheaper and it has fish in it, end of rant.
Written August 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

david w
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
Don’t bother…had to give it one star but if able I would give it no stars… because lack of signage that you can’t park on the road without getting fined
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TD Ashley
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Drove to lake to friends from Somerset whilst we were staying nearby. Re-iterate comments from others re parking, which is totally inadequate, and to alert others to the fact that parking is not allowed on the road. There are 'clearway' signs on the road, so from a legal point of view parking is not allowed but there are no 'no parking' signs. However having clear no parking signs would mean that Wiltshire Council wouldn't be able to turn up and issue 40 or so tickets in one go at £35 a pop - probably 2 or 3 times a week. A nice little earner.

The lake itself is nice, but no public conveniences. There are facilities for patrons of the cafe which incidentally does some very nice smoothies.

I would give three or four stars (unsure why anyone would rate this a five star attraction - it's a nice enough place but at the end of the day it's a lake with some walks and woodland, not Yosemite National park), but the obvious use of the lack of parking as a cash cow for the council - they would stick up proper no parking signs if they were sincere in wanting to stop parking - leaves a sour taste that makes me drop some stars. The attitude hardly says 'Visit Wiltshire'.
Written August 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen W
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Solo
This used to be a beautiful tranquil place. Now is it dotted with hundred of fishing tents . As one walks along there's clouds of cigarette and weed smoke, men urinating up trees, radios and music blaring out and the stench of cooking bacon. Plus vehicle after vehicle blocking the pretty views.
This once stunning family walk is now sadly a very unpleasant experience. Obviously the water and woodlands are stunning and that's why it's got 2 stars from me and not just one.
Written April 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andreea M I
Trowbridge, UK49 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Family
Been here twice now and was great each time. As a new mum I highly recommend this place, its peaceful, lots of shade (great with this hot weather) lovely views and fun for the dog as-well. We had picnics each time there and was great. Only downside is that it is quite busy this time a year and if you want to walk from the car park around the lake there are a lot of cars too.
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

graciebear1978
Bath, UK2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Family
Beautiful place, been coming for years. Decided to take our young boy fishing for the first time. Adhered to the rules of no BBQ’s. Respectful of other fisherman. Keeping our surroundings tidy. Young family turn up, blaring music from their vehicle, kids running in the lake making no chance of catching any fish. This isn’t what today was supposed to be. Totally and utterly furious at the inconsideration of these people and angry that there is no one to enforce any rules around here.
Written May 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tracy B
San Francisco13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Friends
Absolute beautiful stunning place to visit, with the trees changing colours all year round... Lovely lake and plenty of places to have a picnic.... Worth visiting
Written June 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gunner246
Eastbourne, UK62 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Family
This is just a 10 minute walk from the excellent Bath Arms pub, the valley is wooded and picturesque and the lake is just stunning, there is also a really nice café. There is just a gradual incline up to the lake if you are walking, and there is plenty of car park space at the lake. You could be in the Lake District!
Written July 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

OsoyoosBC
Warminster, UK9 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2013 • Couples
Situated close to the Bath Arms with access to the Longleat Estate woods, a perfect place for a gentle walk on a summers evening. Fishing in the lake and sailboats at weekends. Chargeable car park
Written October 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cat H
Frome, UK3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020 • Family
A beautiful, well managed lake with a tearoom which serves fairly priced well made food but if it is busy don’t try to park on the road!

The amount of people ignoring the signs to not park is infuriating as it often creates a huge road hazard with cars unable to pass and dogs and children on the road.

If you visit and the car park is full try Heaven’s Gate or Cley Hill or Cannimore Woods or any one of the huge number of local beauty spots and don’t risk an accident or a ticket please.
Written January 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Shearwater Lake - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)