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Shincliffe Village and Shincliffe Hall Water

A cracking bit of Wear water at Shincliffe, split into the shallow, fast upper section and the deeper, wooded lower Hall-to-Rose Tree stretch. It’s club water with brown trout, grayling and a few proper cheeky surprises when conditions line up.

Run by Durham City Angling Club · checked 11 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Durham New Elvet Bridge gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

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We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open River Ready

The lowdown

  • The Shincliffe water is divided into two sections. Shincliffe Hall Water sits above the upstream boundary fence, while Shincliffe Village runs down from that fence to Maiden Castle.
  • From the Old Hall and upstream, the river carries on for about a mile. This upper water is shallow and fast, with deep runs tucked into the flow. Proper fly-water territory.
  • The upper section holds a good head of brown trout. Winter grayling are a big draw too, with fish over 3 lb reported. That’s a serious bit of trotting and light-float potential.
  • Salmon and sea trout can show in suitable conditions, while chub and dace add interest. Occasional barbel have also been reported in recent years.
  • Down in the lower Hall-to-Rose Tree section, the banks are mostly wooded and steep. It’s deeper than the water upstream, so expect a different feel and fewer easy-banking swims.
  • The river has hosted Angling Times Teams Championships and Wear Championships fixtures, which gives you a fair idea of the water’s credentials. Not just a dawdling little village stream.
  • For the upper Shincliffe water, bait fishing from 16 June to 30 September is limited to worm and bread. From 15 March to 15 June, only fly and worm may be used on the upper section.
  • Outside the coarse-fish close season, groundbaiting is restricted to swim-feeder use on both the Shincliffe Village section and above Shincliffe Hall. The coarse-fish close season runs from 15 March to 15 June.
  • The committee recommends barbless hooks at all times. Hooks larger than size 10 must be barbless or have the barb crushed. Take care around the steep banks and keep field and Hall entrances clear.

Methods: The upper water looks bob on for fly fishing, with shallow fast water and deeper runs to pick apart. Depending on the date and section, try trotting, light bait work or a swim-feeder, keeping within the club’s bait and groundbait rules.

Access & tickets

2026 senior membership

Durham City Angling Club membership; memberships currently suspended according to the club’s 2026 website notice.

£75 (as listed 11 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

2026 retired membership

Durham City Angling Club membership; memberships currently suspended according to the club’s 2026 website notice.

£50 (as listed 11 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

2026 intermediate, junior and guest permits

Intermediate membership is available for £30, junior membership is free subject to the club’s conditions, and guest permits need authorisation through the online system or Membership Secretary. Each member may have up to two guest permits per day and three per membership year.

£30; free junior membership; guest permit price not stated (as listed 11 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

There are no day tickets. Access is membership-based through Durham City Angling Club, which was formed in 1962.

Fish the club names

trout, bream, chub, barbel, barbel

Key rules

  • The coarse-fish close season applies from 15 March to 15 June.
  • On Shincliffe Village and above Shincliffe Hall, groundbaiting is restricted to swim-feeder use from 16 June to 14 March.
  • On the upper Shincliffe water, bait fishing from 16 June to 30 September is restricted to worm and bread.
  • From 15 March to 15 June on the upper section, only fly and worm may be used.
  • From 16 June to 14 March, any legal bait may be used on the upper section.
  • The committee recommends barbless hooks at all times.
  • Hooks larger than size 10 must be barbless or have the barb crushed.
  • No more than two brown trout may be killed in one day on the Hall water.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

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