River Thames - Hampton Court public riverside
The River Thames runs past Hampton Court Palace within the Staines-to-Teddington stretch that Visit Thames lists as free fishing wherever there is legitimate public access. Historic Royal Palaces confirms that fishing in the River Thames itself requires only an Environment Agency rod licence. This is a different arrangement from the separate waters of Hampton Court, Home Park and Bushy Park, where fishing is only allowed with a Historic Royal Palaces fishing permit (applied for online, with a copy of your rod licence and a photograph) and under its terms and conditions, during the season of 16 June to 14 March. Public footpaths along the river do not give fishing rights from every frontage beside the palace or Home Park, and the precise public fishing bank at this location has not yet been confirmed, so this listing remains under review. Check local signage, respect moorings and keep clear of boat landing stages. Palace visitor facilities are not provided for anglers. Species, parking and night-fishing arrangements have not yet been verified.
Rules
River Thames: EA rod licence only, from genuinely public bank. Hampton Court, Home Park and Bushy Park waters need a separate Historic Royal Palaces permit. Precise public bank unconfirmed. public bank only; respect moorings • An Environment Agency rod licence may be required in addition to the fishery/club permission. • Normal coarse river close season: 15 March–15 June inclusive, unless a different legal/species rule applies. • Free only where the river bank is genuinely public access; do not cross private land. • Carp and coarse fish: catch-and-release unless the fishery rules state otherwise.