Im in Basildon & my mate lives near Epping, so anywhere an hours or so drive from either of us is cool.
I started fishing for carp late last year and was paying £10 a go for 2 rods, I went about 8 times before packing away my kit for 2007. So, if I go 20 odd times in a year, which is easily do-able, thats £200~.
The thing with a syndicate lake is that the fish are well stocked and looked after. Its a big initial layout for the fisherman so the bankside maner/respect is going to be far better than a day ticket lake - the place will be tidy, looked after and hopefully not full of idiots