Swan Cottage, Windrush Lake, South Cerney

Swan Cottage, Lake Windrush

A very pretty, tranquil lake with some superb carp fishing and a great venue for a family break
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Value For Money

Windrush Lake

Swan Cottage is set in the grounds of what can only be described as a holiday complex. The complex is secure and boasts several other cottages of which many are also available to rent but not all are on the lake.

There are several lakes present in the complex including Windrush, Isis and a smaller one. There is also a wonderful stretch of river to fish too that contains trout, chub, dace etc and makes for some fun fishing as a change.

It’s Windrush that we will take a look at and also Swan Cottage which is available to hire for days or weeks at a time.

Please contact – judeartist@hotmail.co.uk

Windrush Key Info


Day ticket, club?: Available to people in the cottages
How much: Free if you are renting a cottage
How to book: Comes with the booking (speak to Judy)
How busy: Very quiet
Can you drive to swims: Your swim is in the garden
Onsite facilities: Your cottage
Nearest tackle shop: Tackle Den
Average Size: 20lb plus
Realistic catch rate: 1-2 per session or more
Best swims: Middle areas
Best method: Fishing over small amounts of bait
Best bait: Boilies and crushed boilies
Ideal range: 80yrd
Max size: 40lb + plus

What is it like?

The lake is a very pretty water surrounded by cottages in the holiday complex. It is a very clean area and well kept by gardeners and house owners. Everything is accessible by foot and by car, although it is quite nice to take bikes because the area is pretty and there’s plenty to see.

Swan cottage is a 3 bed cottage, all three bedrooms are doubles with the main comprising an en suite, with a wonderful balcony which overlooks the lake which I predict to be around 8-10 acres. It is a sight to behold at sunrise, standing there with a cup of coffee, rods out, watching carp crashing out the water.

The cottage has kitchen, lounge/dining room and a small decking area complete with BBQ. This also overlooks the lake and I found myself setting my gear up on here, whilst the rods were out just in front.

The cottage is very pleasant, clean and tidy, maybe a little dated inside, but it was perfectly adequate for us and for our few days fishing.

What’s the fishing like?

If I am honest, the fishing is a little restricted. There is no night fishing, which makes things tricky. In summer, it does fish very well on the surface so there can be plenty of opportunities. However, I visited in Autumn and found it hard going. The fish would show in the evenings and I would have to reel in by dark, just when I felt that I was going to get a bite. A friend of mine, Jon, does catch them in the daytime and I have attached some of his pictures below, because the fish are absolutely incredible.

The lake is very even in depths, not much variation, I found 13ft pretty much throughout the swim by Swan Cottage. The bottom was firm all over really with a small plateau out in front at 11 wraps. I did try this but to no avail.

The carp were very active in the afternoons and I did sling solid bags around in an attempt to try and nick one, but to no avail unfortunately. I am sure it would work, but it didn’t on this occasion.

My friend Jon fishes from  the cottage opposite quite regularly and using a bait boat to drop his rigs and bait, he catches fish consistently all-year round. Just simple Ronnie rigs over boilies and crushed baits.

My friend Jon fishes from  the cottage opposite quite regularly and using a bait boat to drop his rigs and bait, he catches fish consistently all-year round

James Armstrong

What else is there to do?

We didn’t just fish on Windrush whilst there, as it was a bit of a family trip too. My son and I had a wander along the small stream up near the park, again on the complex, and float fishing maggots we managed lots of bites; trout, chub, dace and roach. It was a bite a chuck and beautiful, fun place for me and my boy, who is only 3 years old.

There is a park, an indoor area with pool table, table tennis etc, a tennis court and plenty of beautiful walks and bike rides to be enjoyed throughout the water park.

Just 20-30 mins away, you can also visit The Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bourton On The Water and plenty of other stunning towns for a wander and experience. Nearby, you will also find some lovely old country pubs. There was one in a town called Ashton Keynes, The White Hart Inn, that was particularly enjoyable serving delicious food.

Would I go back?

100 per cent I would go back, I have unfinished business there and so I need to go and catch one of the beautiful residents for myself.

Windrush Rules


Are bait boats allowed: Yes!
Are there any rig rules: No fixed leads
Are there any rules on hook sizes or patterns: No
Are there any rules on barbed hooks: Either
Are dogs allowed: Yes must be under control
How many rods are allowed: 3
Is there an age limit: 16+ or with an adult
Lead arrangement rules: No fixed lead rigs. All leads must pass freely over leader knots
Line rules: None
Can you night fish?: No
Parking: In designated car parks only

James

Jimmy began his angling on the river Ouse with his father fishing for roach. His passion grew quickly and soon developed a love for big-fish across the globe!

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