River Thames — Duxford, below the ford to above Shifford Lock

The lowdown

• The fishing starts at the first noticeboard below Duxford ford and finishes above Shifford Lock. Those are your proper boundary markers, so don't treat the ford itself as the start of the fishing.
• There's approximately 1.8 km to look over. The Alliance recommends walking the full stretch before fishing — a useful bit of homework here, rather than dropping straight into the first swim you fancy.
• The backwater has no boat traffic, which is a cracking part of its character. That doesn't make it an easy fishery, though: the Alliance's warning about novice anglers still deserves taking seriously.
• Banks are high in places, with bushes and trees hanging over the water. That's the bank-side picture to keep in mind when looking at a swim, rather than expecting an open, straightforward setup everywhere.
• Barbel, carp and chub are all specifically named for Duxford. That's a tidy trio to have in mind when planning your session, without getting carried away with promises about what's going to be on the munch.
• The Alliance points out a barbel hotspot about 200 yards below the ford. It's a handy place to look over on that first walk, not a reason to skip checking the rest of the water.
• For the drive in, reach Duxford village via Hinton Waldrist. The parking spot is the left-hand roadside layby opposite Fordwell Farm entrance; keep the farm entrances clear and save everyone a bit of faff.
• From the parking spot, continue approximately 90 metres, then turn right into the lane leading to the ford. Get those directions sorted before unloading, and follow the fishing boundary from the first noticeboard.

Methods: Start with the Alliance's recommended full-stretch walk and choose your swim with those high banks and overhanging branches in mind. The named barbel spot, about 200 yards below the ford, gives you a useful starting point for a look.

Access & tickets

Get an Alliance coarse-fishing permit through its online shop, and carry the official digital permit as proof of membership. The checked shop does not list a public one-day ticket.

Fish the club names

barbel, carp, chub

Key rules

• Carry the official Alliance digital membership permit.
• No night fishing unless a special notice permits it; no Duxford exception is given.
• Maximum three rods, with the appropriate EA licence.
• Carp, barbel and pike must not be retained in keepnets.
• Carry a suitably padded unhooking mat or cradle and a landing net of at least 36 inches.
• Keep dogs on leads and remove their waste.
• No littering or lighting fires.
• Do not obstruct farm entrances.

River level

Where it is