Seven Springs, south of Cheltenham to River Thames at Cricklade · 23 miles
Fly Fishing on the River Churn
2 beats on the River Churn sell access by the day.
Where the River Churn runs
The river's course with every beat and fishery we list on it. Tap a marker for a quick read on price.
Fishing Beats on the River Churn
2 beats availableBrowse day tickets, syndicate rods, and permit fishing on the River Churn. Each beat listing includes pricing, species, and booking details.
Clubs and syndicates on the River Churn
1 clubMembership bodies holding water on the River Churn. Some sell day tickets alongside membership, others are open to members only, and a few run a waiting list.
About the River Churn
River Churn at a glance
- Length
- 23 miles
- Source
- Seven Springs, south of Cheltenham
- Mouth
- River Thames at Cricklade
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Water type
- Limestone
Fish species
Anglers on the River Churn can target brown trout. Brown trout dominate most beats here; grayling, sea trout, and salmon appear on certain rivers and seasons.
The River Churn rises at Seven Springs, a few miles south of Cheltenham, and runs south for about 23 miles across the Cotswold dip slope to meet the Thames at Cricklade in Wiltshire. On the way it passes Colesbourne, Rendcomb and North Cerney, runs through the middle of Cirencester, then Siddington, South Cerney and the Cotswold Water Park. It is counted as the first tributary of the Thames, even though it is longer than the Thames itself above the point where they meet.
The name is older than the Romans. Cirencester, the Roman Corinium, shares its root, and so do North and South Cerney.
The Churn generally runs clear. It is mostly fed by limestone, though it crosses some mudstone and sandstone too. It is a small stream with a good stock of wild trout throughout, a good mayfly hatch, and a few coarse fish lower down. The fish are not huge, so a short, light rod suits it, 7ft 6in at most with a 2 to 4 weight line.
It can run very low. The river has been known to stop flowing altogether, and in September 2011 the bed was dry at Latton.
Fishing on the Churn is privately held, so check the details for the stretch you plan to fish.
FAQ
River Churn FAQs
Common questions about fishing the River Churn, from day tickets and seasons to what to expect on the bank.
