New to area, can anyone advise on fisheries around the Banbury area?

Farmoor, just outside Oxford, is within quite easy reach if you like reservoir fishing. The place is fished by a number of forum members, the fishery warden posts news and fishing reports in this section of the site, and there's a wealth of information available if you do a "search".

Certainly recommended by me

__________________
"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

Banbury is not to far from Pitsford, Ravensthorpe or even Draycote

__________________
Hearts and Minds. I'm not interested in winning their hearts and minds. Grab them by the *******s and their hearts and minds have no choice but to follow.

Hi there TommyTD... and welcome to Banbury. Home of the delicious coffee smells every week or so.

The fisheries I know within reasonable striking distance:

Farmoor - just west of Oxford. Not the most attractive of venues but highly rated by all who fish there
Draycote Reservoir nr Southam. Highly rated (esp by my neighbour!) large resevoir
http://www.lyttlesofdunchurch.co.uk/draycote.html
Salford Trout Lakes - just beyond Chipping Norton. Two small to medium size stillwaters in very attractive surroundings
http://www.salfordtroutlakes.co.uk/
Heathcote Lakes - not far up the M40 and has a decent reputation
http://www.heathcotelake.co.uk
Packington - a little further up the M40 near Meriden - lots of good feedback
http://www.packingtonestate.net/fisheries_trout.html
Lenches Lakes nr Evesham. Similar to Salford but a little smaller. URL="http://www.lencheslakes.co.uk"]http://www.lencheslakes.co.uk[/URL]
To the West is Bransford Fishery (in the vicinity of Worcester/Kidderminster, around 140 miles round trip)
http://www.bransfordgame.com/

As per another post to the East and North within 2 hours max travelling are the Leicestershire/Northants/Rutland Fisheries - Eyebrook, Elinor, Pitsford, Rutland, Ravensthorpe etc....
To the south west Bushyleaze and Lechlade are not too far.

As for river fishing... a little farther afield I'm afraid. There is some fishing on the Colne and Windrush, although not easy to get access. To the West there are some Wye & Usk Foundation waters on Rivers Wye (not surprisingly), Arrow & Lugg around Leominster.

There is an Orvis shop in Burford that has some details to and are invariably helpful. I have it on good authority that Lyttles of Dunchurch are very good too.
The two tackle shops in Banbury are predominantly Coarse based and I have never asked any Fly related questions. If you do I would suggest Banbury Gunsmiths. They do have a very small amount of fly tackle at least (and I mean small).

Also worth a look is http://www.troutfisheries.co.uk/central.htm

That should keep you going.

All the best,

Jon

__________________
Jon
Always time for one last cast...

Hi mate, don't forget Lechlade and Bushey Leaze, always worth a trip, particularly Bushey, as it fishes all year round!!
Farmoor has the hardest fighting fish I have encountered and is absolutely spot on for pristine rainbows!!
Welcome to the area!

Hi Tommytd

I'm from the Banbury area myself and JedZed has comprehensively covered all the local options. Having fished most of these waters, I would suggest Heathcote as being the 'easiest' water especially the lower lake and represents reasonable value for money ( £25 for 5 fish). Draycote would be the best value for money, but more of a challenge...good luck and tight lines.