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River Cherwell — Upper Heyford Area

A proper rural River Cherwell run by Banbury and District Angling Association, fishing from Allen’s Lock south along the towpath to Lower Heyford Mill. The fishable bank is the downstream left-hand side, with roach, dace, perch, chub and pike named by the association.

Run by Banbury and District Angling Association · checked 12 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Heyford 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 Upper Heyford stretch starts at Allen’s Lock. From there, fishing follows the towpath southwards through the Upper and Lower Heyford area.
  • Your fishing ground is on the downstream left-hand side of the river. Handy enough to keep in mind when sorting out access and choosing a swim.
  • The stretch finishes at Lower Heyford Mill, giving this bit of the Cherwell a clear start and finish rather than a vague ‘somewhere near Heyford’ description.
  • It’s described as a rural river fishery alongside the towpath. A quieter, open-feeling bit of river rather than a boxed-in urban venue.
  • The association names roach, dace, perch, chub and pike as present. That gives you a decent mix of smaller silverfish, predators and proper river characters to target.
  • For general fishing, the association allows rod, pole and line only. One rod is permitted, so keep things simple and concentrate on the swim in front of you.
  • Members can use a second rod for pike fishing only. Pike fishing is allowed from 1 October to 14 March, so that’s the window for putting the extra gear to work.
  • The general angling season runs from 16 June to 14 March. Outside that period, don’t fish the river under these association rules.
  • There’s also a nearby Cherwell section described as dividing into two branches, while openly licensed photographs show the river around both Lower Heyford and Upper Heyford. The character here is very much towpath-side Cherwell country.

Methods: Stick to rod, pole and line fishing. One rod is allowed, with members able to use a second rod for pike fishing only during the permitted pike season.

Access & tickets

BDAA member

River fisheries are free for BDAA members.

Non-member river day ticket

Day tickets for rivers and canals are available to non-members.

£5 per day (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

River fishing is free for BDAA members. Non-members can fish with a £5 per day river day ticket.

Fish the club names

carp, perch, chub, pike, roach

Key rules

  • A rod licence is required.
  • Only rod, pole and line fishing is permitted, except crayfish fishing.
  • One rod may be used.
  • Members may use a second rod for pike fishing only.
  • Pike fishing is permitted from 1 October to 14 March.
  • The general angling season runs from 16 June to 14 March.
  • No dogs or guns may be taken when fishing.
  • Do not damage banks, fences or adjoining crops.
  • Fasten gates after use.
  • Remove litter, including litter within 5 metres of the fishing position.
  • Fish must not be taken by means other than rod and line.

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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