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Barton Court Fishery, River Kennet

Barton Court Fishery is a cracking River Kennet fly-fishing venue in Kintbury, with more than 3 miles through Berkshire’s water meadows. It covers the main river, carriers and side streams, with wild brown trout the headline target.

Run by Barton Court Estate · checked 9 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Knighton Main 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

  • This is classic clear chalk-stream country, with a lovely mix of main-river water, carriers and little side streams to explore.
  • The fishery runs for more than 3 miles, so there’s plenty of water to get stuck into rather than just a handful of swims.
  • It’s now purely fly fishing, with wild brown trout as the main named target. Proper river fly water, not a chuck-and-hope sort of place.
  • The Berkshire water meadows give the stretch a cracking setting, and the clear Kennet means presentation matters. Keep things tidy and natural.
  • Mayfly is the big event. The best sport is often in the first weeks of June, when the river can really come alive.
  • That mayfly period is popular and sells out quickly, so don’t leave booking until the last minute if that’s your main aim.
  • The Shaving Brush fly is associated with Barton Court, giving the venue a neat bit of local fly-fishing character.
  • Day-rod access is available, while exclusive-use and group fishing days can also be arranged. Guides are available if you fancy a hand reading the water.
  • For group days, catering can be arranged, and there’s a dedicated fishing hut for exclusive group use. A shepherd’s hut is also on site.
  • Tackle hire is available, parking is on site, and Kintbury railway station is roughly 64 metres from the fishery entrance — handy as you like.
  • We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Fly fishing only. Match your approach to the clear chalk-stream water and the hatch, with the early-June mayfly period the obvious feature in the calendar.

Access & tickets

Day rod

Day-rod access is available on the Barton Court Fishery.

Exclusive-use or group fishing day

Exclusive-use and group fishing days can be arranged, with guides and catering available if required.

Day rods, exclusive-use days and group fishing can be arranged through Barton Court Estate. Guides, tackle hire and group catering are also available; check the estate’s booking page for current availability and prices.

Fish the club names

trout

Key rules

  • Fly fishing only.
  • Day-rod access is available.
  • Exclusive-use and group fishing days can be arranged.
  • Check the estate’s booking page for current availability and prices.

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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