Summary
Beachley Point sits at the dramatic confluence of the Rivers Severn and Wye beneath the Old Severn Bridge (M48), on the Gloucestershire side. It’s a classic upper-estuary rough-ground mark with ferocious tides, colored water, and short-lived feeding windows that can be superb for flounder and bass, with the odd winter codling on the right day.
Location and Access
Reaching Beachley Point is straightforward, but the last section is rough and exposed. Allow extra time to arrive and set up safely before the tide does its work.
- From the M48, leave at Junction 2 and follow signs for Beachley; continue through the village towards the river and the Old Ferry area (Chepstow/Beachley NP16 postal district).
- Limited kerbside parking only; do not block gateways, private drives, or MOD Beachley Barracks entrances. There is no formal car park at the tip.
- The walk-in is 5–15 minutes along a floodbank/track to the point; the final approach is on rock armour, cobbles, and uneven ground.
- Terrain is mixed: boulders, broken ground, and mud margins. Expect snags and slippery weeded rocks.
- Parts of the shoreline near the bridge infrastructure and MOD fencing are restricted. Obey any on-site signs; do not climb barriers or access closed areas.
Seasons
This upper estuary mark fishes to the conditions more than the calendar, but certain patterns repeat most years. Expect colored water species, with migratory fish occasionally encountered in season.
- Spring: flounder, school bass, European eel (must be released), occasional late codling in cold springs, thin-lipped/grey mullet in calmer back eddies.
- Summer: bass (schoolies to low doubles possible but most are modest), flounder, European eel (release), mullet on settled days.
- Autumn: peak bass fishing, consistent flounder, odd codling in the first cold snaps; occasional whiting on saltier neap spells.
- Winter: flounder through mild spells; codling are possible in colder winters; whiting sporadic.
- Migratory species you may accidentally encounter: salmon/sea trout, allis/twaite shad, and lampreys – all are strictly protected and must be returned immediately; do not target them.
Methods
Bottom fishing dominates here due to the pace and color of the water. Keep rigs streamlined, baits scented, and your leads heavy enough to hold bottom.
- Rigs: 2‑hook flappers (size 2–1) for flounder/eel; running ledger or up‑and‑over (size 1/0–3/0) for bass; pulley/pulley‑dropper with a pennel (3/0–4/0) for bigger baits/codling.
- Leads: strong grippers/breakout leads in the 6–8 oz range are standard; step up on big springs.
- Line: 20–30 lb mono or 30–50 lb braid with a 60–80 lb shock leader to handle heavy leads and lift fish over boulders.
- Bait: estuary lugworm and ragworm are top; peeler crab and softies are deadly in spring/early summer; squid or mackerel strips as cocktails for bass/codling; small worm tips for flounder.
- Distance: don’t overlook the near-gullies. Fish short into forming eddies on the flood and along the seam lines at the top of the tide.
- Alternatives: on neaps and in slack water, try small spinners or bubble-float tactics for thin-lipped mullet with tiny rag strips; otherwise it’s a ledger venue.
- Timing: dusk into night for bass/eel; daytime flounder anywhere there’s a calm pocket or color change.
Tides and Conditions
The Severn’s tidal range here is among the largest on Earth, and the flow dictates when and how you can fish. Plan around the flood, the top, and the very first of the ebb.
- Best states: last 2 hours of the flood, over high water, and the first hour of the ebb. The mid-ebb typically rips too hard.
- Neaps are more manageable with fewer debris; big springs can be brutal but sometimes switch bass on around the top.
- After heavy rain on the Wye/Severn catchments, salinity drops; flounder often fish well while bass can thin out until things settle.
- Wind: strong W/SW winds pile up chop and debris; light or offshore (E/NE) winds are much friendlier.
- Water clarity is nearly always colored; rely on scent and movement rather than visual presentation.
- Be aware of Severn Bore days on the biggest springs – the bore and its backwash can arrive quickly and unpredictably.
Safety
This is a serious-tide estuary mark with multiple hazards. Treat it with the same respect you would a rock mark in heavy swell.
- Do not venture onto exposed mud or slime-covered boulders; remain on firm rock armour/floodbank.
- The tide floods and ebbs at speed; identify a safe retreat route and move early. Avoid being cut off near the point.
- Expect slippery weed, unstable rocks, and sudden surges from boat wake and bore-related backwash.
- Wear cleated/studded boots and a personal flotation device; use a headlamp with spare batteries after dark.
- Fish with a partner and keep a phone in a waterproof pouch; signal can drop under the bridge.
- Access restrictions apply near MOD Beachley Barracks and bridge structures; obey all signage. Do not fish from the Severn Bridge or interfere with any lifeboat/slipway operations.
Facilities
You’re essentially on a wild, exposed point with very limited amenities. Stock up before you arrive and plan for a self-sufficient session.
- No toilets or shelter at the mark; public facilities are in Chepstow, with additional options at nearby service areas.
- Convenience stores and takeaways in Sedbury/Thornwell; broader services in Chepstow town.
- Tackle/bait: shops in and around Chepstow and Caldicot (check hours/stock, especially for fresh worm/crab).
- On-street parking only and limited; no lighting. Mobile reception generally fair but can be patchy near the waterline.
Tips
Short, accurate casts into the right water often beat heaving to the horizon here. Rig efficiency and lead choice make or break a session.
- Bring plenty of spare gripper leads and pre-tied rigs; snags are common.
- Use clip-down rigs to streamline casts into headwinds and keep baits intact in fast air.
- For flounder, try long snoods with a few bright beads or a small blade to add flutter in the colored water.
- Peeler crab shines from late spring; crab-and-worm cocktails tempt better bass in early summer and autumn.
- Fish high rods on a sturdy tripod to keep line angles steep; it helps lift over boulders on the retrieve.
- Watch the water: seams, boils, and small eddies mark feeding lanes. Move a rod to cover a new seam as the tide state changes.
- Check Severn Bore times on the biggest springs and avoid the immediate window if you’re unfamiliar with how the bore behaves at the point.
Regulations
Beachley Point straddles the border area between England and Wales, with the English bank in Gloucestershire. Sea angling from the shore does not require a rod licence, but several species and site protections apply.
- Bass (England/Wales, 2024 rules at time of writing): 2 fish per angler per day from 1 March–30 November; zero retention December–February; minimum size 42 cm. Always verify current rules on GOV.UK/NRW before your trip.
- European eel: protected – do not target; release immediately if caught.
- Salmon, sea trout, allis and twaite shad, and lampreys: fully protected in practical terms for sea anglers here – do not target and release immediately if encountered.
- Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes apply to landed fish; do not retain undersized specimens. Check the latest national guidance before retaining any fish.
- Do not fish from the Severn Bridge or within exclusion zones around bridge structures; obey any on-site signage and directions from authorities.
- The Severn Estuary is designated (SSSI/SPA/Ramsar in places). Keep to established paths, avoid disturbing birds/seals, and leave no trace. If bait-collecting, avoid vegetated saltmarsh and follow local codes.
- Local rules can change and jurisdiction can be complex near the Wye/Severn boundary; when in doubt, consult the Environment Agency (England) and Natural Resources Wales updates before fishing.
