Garden Cliff Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Garden Cliff Fishing Map

A tidal rock-and-mud foreshore beneath a low cliff on the outside of the River Severn’s big bend at Westbury-on-Severn. It fishes the upper estuary: powerful currents, a huge tidal range, and the Severn Bore make short, well-timed sessions essential. Best on neaps and during the first of the flood or last of the ebb when flow eases. Expect mainly flounder and school bass with eels and thin-lipped mullet in warmer months. Ground is mixed mud, rock and debris with snags; access is via field paths and a short, steep descent. Treat mud, fast tides and the bore with extreme caution and leave early before the tide races in.

Ratings

⭐ 5.3/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 5/10
Scenery & Comfort 6/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Garden Cliff

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Best on flooding tide over mudbanks; peeler crab or lug fished static. Dusk into dark, late spring–autumn. Stand well back—powerful tide and Severn Bore.
🐟 Flounder 7/10
🎯 Tip: Neap floods in winter–early spring. Short casts to muddy gutters/edges with size 2–4 hooks and rag or lug. Keep baits still as tide races.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Summer on neap tides in slack eddies; Mepps-style spinner with ragworm trailer, or fine float gear with bread. Work margins when clarity allows.
🐟 European Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Warm evenings on the flood; small fish strips or worms in slacks and creek mouths. Use barbless/circle hooks and release carefully.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 5/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional summer shoals in calmer water; bread flake under a float or freelined. Quiet approach along margins on neaps.
🐟 European Smelt 4/10
🎯 Tip: Midwinter nights around spring tides; tiny sabikis or size 12–16 hooks tipped with fish/squid slivers. Fish near current seams at the top of the tide.
🐟 Common Goby 3/10
🎯 Tip: Micro rigs with size 16–18 hooks and tiny rag/mussel; close-in puddles and creek mouths on the ebb. Handle gently.
🐟 Sea Trout 3/10
🎯 Tip: Migratory fish on spring floods; small spoons/spinners or flashy flies in eddies. Treat as catch-and-release—check local byelaws.

Garden Cliff Fishing

Summary

Garden Cliff sits on the east bank of the tidal River Severn near Westbury‑on‑Severn, Gloucestershire, within the dramatic reach of the Severn Bore. It is a challenging, muddy estuary mark with ferocious tides, but it rewards prepared anglers with codling in winter, flounder year‑round, and school bass on big summer tides. Expect powerful flows, soft mud, and a true wild‑estuary experience rather than a comfortable promenade session.

Location and Access

This mark lies along the Severn Way footpath by the red sandstone outcrops known as Garden Cliff, a short walk from Westbury‑on‑Severn. Access is via public footpaths across pasture; the immediate foreshore is muddy and the bank can be slippery and uneven. Use Westbury‑on‑Severn as your sat‑nav target (Westbury Court Garden, GL14 1PD is a useful reference, but its car park is for National Trust visitors).

Seasons

This is a high‑energy estuarine venue where species move with salinity and river conditions. Flounder are the staple, codling push up on cold, coloured winter springs, and bass and mullet show in warmer months.

Methods

Estuary ledgering with heavy leads is the main game here due to the Severn’s immense flow. Keep rigs simple, aerodynamic, and robust, and use fresh local baits.

Tides and Conditions

The Severn’s tidal range and flow are enormous. Plan around the bore on big springs and expect very fast water movement; many anglers fish short windows when the tide is more manageable.

Safety

This is a serious estuary venue with soft mud, collapsing edges, and a powerful bore. Treat it with caution and avoid the foreshore if you are not experienced with Severn conditions.

Facilities

There are no facilities at the mark; it is rural farmland/foreshore. Come self‑sufficient with bait, water, and a first‑aid kit.

Tips

Garden Cliff rewards preparation, tidy rigs, and sensible timing. Think heavy leads, fresh worms, and short productive windows bracketing slackest flow.

Regulations

This is a tidal, estuarine shore mark. Sea angling is generally permitted, but the area forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), so protect the geology and habitats and follow all signage.