Set in the rolling hills of the Somerset and Dorset border, this scenic reservoir is the perfect destination for fishing, sailing and walking.
Suitable for all the family, this peaceful reservoir is a beautiful destination for a day out and a chance to connect with nature.
Situated just five miles outside of Yeovil, the reservoir offers a range of facilities including a children's play area, picnic area, hay meadows and wildlife walk.
Built in 1955 and covering 142 acres, Sutton Bingham reservoirs holds more than 2,600 million litres of water - enough to fill more than 100 Olympic sized swimming pools!
Sutton Bingham Reservoir
Date: Wednesday 10 August
Time: 11am to 3pm
Location: Sutton Bingham Reservoir picnic area
Postcode: BA22 9QP
What three words: ///chuck.cares.blazers
Activities: Wildlife spotting, scavenger hunts, fishing games and water filter building
Sutton Bingham is an outstanding traditional fly fishery that offers some excellent trout fishing throughout the season. The reservoir is well stocked with rainbow and brown trout averaging 2lb with some surprise double-figure specimens too.
Over the causeway is West Pond, a separate seven-acre part of the reservoir, which offers superb bank and boat fishing for large trout species. This body of water allows for a quieter fishing experience away from the other visitors.
Fishing facilities at Sutton Bingham and West Pond include a spacious fishing lodge complete with a large veranda overlooking the water and a fish preparation room where anglers can gut and clean their catch before setting off home.
Please note: there is no spinning or pike fly fishing or catch and release permitted at this site.
Get a ticket to go fishing and learn about boat hire and tuition.
Explore fishing season dates, times and prices for each of our reservoirs.
View the latest fishing catch report to understand fish stock levels.
Walking along the 2km (1.25 mile) meadow trail, is a great way to take in the stunning views of the reservoir, while also exploring the vibrant wildlife.
The meadow trail is mainly on natural surfaces, such as grass, stone and earth, with some uneven ground and tree roots to look out for. The worn path is generally wide enough for two adults side-by-side, although there are some narrow single-file sections. Please help us to look after our wildlife by sticking to the main path, putting your litter in the nearest bin and avoiding areas where grass is long.
To find the trail from the car park, head away from the main entrance and follow the path down and to the right. This will take you across a foot bridge and into a series of two hay meadows where you can walk out and back along the footpath. There is a gate at the southern end of the reservoir which leads to a national speed limit road. This route is not suitable for young children and all visitors must take extreme care.
Sutton Bingham is carefully managed to create a sanctuary for local wildlife. We enhance and protect the site's habitats to support a rich mix of wildlife, including wildflowers, bugs, bees, butterflies, bats and birds.
The reservoir's meadows support more than 200 different species of wildflowers and grasses, and around 1,000 different species of invertebrates such as butterflies, bugs, bees, hoverflies and flies.
The site also hosts at least 88 different bird species throughout the year, making it the prime location for avid birdwatchers. While some birds live here all year round, most species visit depending on the season. Buzzards, kestrels, peregrines, sparrowhawks can be seen all year round and during spring and summer you may even see a hobby or two. Also, keep an eye out for grey herons and little egrets around the edge of the reservoir.
When night-time strikes, a mixture of bat species appear across Sutton Bingham. So far, we have identified at least nine species of bat on or around the reservoir.
Go sailing with our partners at the Sutton Bingham Sailing Club.
Go canoeing with our partners at Sutton Bingham & District Canoe Club
Go model boating with our partners at Yeovil & District Model Boat Club.
INNS are plants and animals that have been brought into this country from other parts of the world and cause harm to our native species and habitats. Find out more about INNS, how to identify them and what we are doing to control the spread.
We recognise our responsibilities to conserve and enhance wildlife and heritage on our land and provide access for the public where possible. Find out how we are looking after our region and its wildlife and habitat.
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