Dairy House Home Beat

on the River Frome
main river

Still fishing for pictures…

Contribute pictures

Dairy House Home Beat sits on the middle reaches of the River Frome at West Stafford in Dorset, managed by a riverkeeper with more than twenty-five years of hands-on experience of this water. The beat runs for 2 miles of mostly double-bank chalk stream through open water meadows, carrying classic Frome character throughout: crystal-clear water over bright gravel, ranunculus weed beds, hatch pools, and deeper runs that hold fish year-round. Crucially, the main river here has never been stocked, making it one of the few genuinely wild day-ticket beats on any southern chalk stream.

The fishing is for entirely wild Grayling, Brown Trout, and the grayling in particular are exceptional, with fish to well over four pounds recorded on the beat. The season opens with grannom and early olives in April, progresses through hawthorn and mayfly, and rounds off with blue-winged olives and sedges into autumn. Fly hatches occur consistently through the year, with a strong mayfly appearance in early June. Dry fly and nymph are both permitted, and the wild fish demand careful presentation and a considered approach. Nomadic grayling move into the beat from elsewhere on the Frome, adding an unpredictable and exciting element to the winter fishing.

Day tickets start at £65 for the main trout season, with a dedicated mayfly period priced separately. Grayling and winter season rods are available from £45. A fishing hut is on the beat, and self-catering accommodation at the Dairy House Annexe is available for anglers who want to make a longer stay of it. Wading is permitted, and all fishing is catch and release.

Season In season · 1 Apr – 14 Mar
Rods
–
Difficulty
Adventurer (3/5)
Price
£65 today
Length
1.5 miles

Booking

Who you can go through

Casterbridge Fisheries Day tickets
£45 – £85
Book

Indicative prices only. This calendar does not show whether a beat is bookable or already booked out, and other prices may apply. Always confirm availability and the final price with the booking provider before you travel.

Price calendar

August 2026
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1£65
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September 2026
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1£65
2£65
3£65
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5£65
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30£65
Day ticketGrayling Winter Season
16 Oct – 28 Feb
£45
per day
Day ticketEarly Season
1 Apr – 15 May
£65
per day
Day ticketMain Season
16 Jun – 15 Oct
£65
per day
Day ticketGrayling
16 Jun – 15 Oct
£65
per day
Day ticketMayfly Season
16 May – 16 Jun
£85
per day

How Dairy House Home Beat compares on the River Frome

Typical, lowest and highest full-day rod, from 13 beats with published day rates

£50£100£150£110JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuarymedian £45 (£35–£75, 9 beats)this beat £45Februarymedian £35 (£35–£45, 5 beats)this beat £45Marchmedian £35 (£35–£35, 4 beats)Aprilmedian £80 (£60–£125, 13 beats)this beat £65Maymedian £110 (£65–£145, 13 beats)this beat £65Junemedian £95 (£65–£131, 13 beats)this beat £65Julymedian £95 (£60–£131, 13 beats)this beat £65Augustmedian £95 (£60–£131, 13 beats)this beat £65Septembermedian £95 (£60–£131, 13 beats)this beat £65Octobermedian £75 (£35–£100, 13 beats)this beat £45Novembermedian £60 (£35–£100, 10 beats)this beat £45Decembermedian £45 (£35–£75, 9 beats)this beat £45
typical (median) cheapest to dearest beat this beat

Day tickets on the River Frome run from £35 to £145. The typical full-day rate is around £75, peaking in May.

Compare with other rivers

Stocking & Fish Species

Grayling
Grayling
Brown Trout
Brown Trout

Rules & Policies

Catch & Release
EA Rod License Required
Dogs Allowed
Ghillie Available
Ghillie Required
Season: 1 Apr – 14 Mar

Fishery

River Frome Example photo £65 today

Casterbridge Fisheries

Sitting on the middle reaches of the River Frome in the village of West Stafford, Casterbridge Fisheries is run by keeper John Aplin, who has managed this stretch of the Dorset chalk stream for over two decades. The Dairy House Home Beat has never been stocked and holds wild brown trout alongside grayling, for which the Frome is well known. The trout season opens in early April and runs through to the first week of October, with good hatches of mayfly and a range of other insect species throughout. Grayling fishing becomes more focused from October through to mid-March. Grayling on the Frome grow to record proportions, with fish caught in the past to over four pounds. The fishery offers Day tickets, Accommodation, Tuition, and anglers staying over can use the self-catering Dairy House Annexe, just a short walk across the water meadow to the beat. Day tickets start at £65. Winter grayling rods are available from £45. The fishery is located in Dorset. Additionally, the fishery also sells day tickets to club and syndicate waters.

Day tickets Accommodation +1

Fishing Methods

Fly Only

Fly Methods

Dry Fly Nymph
Wading Allowed (moderate)
Bank Fishing Only
Double Bank

Contact

Visit Website

Amenities

fishing hut accommodation

More on the River Frome

England's most westerly major chalk stream, the River Frome rises from St John's Well in the village of Evershot and runs for 35 miles through the heart of Dorset. From Evershot it passes through…

View river details

FishingBeats is an independent guide with no affiliation to the fisheries we list. Listings are editorial and unpaid, and are not supplied or approved by the fishery. See our listings policy. Listing details are compiled by FishingBeats and may change or contain mistakes. Some services, such as tuition, ghillies, or accommodation, may only apply to certain packages and not to standard day tickets. Always confirm pricing, access, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.

FAQ

Dairy House Home Beat FAQs

Practical questions anglers ask before fishing this beat, from tickets to tactics.

01How many rods are allowed on Dairy House Home Beat at any one time?
The rod limit for Dairy House Home Beat is listed on the beat page — check before booking, as limits vary by season and fishery preference. Contact Casterbridge Fisheries directly if you need to confirm current availability.
02What species can I expect to catch on Dairy House Home Beat?
Dairy House Home Beat holds Grayling, Brown Trout. The water is unstocked, relying entirely on the wild population.
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
Wading is permitted on Dairy House Home Beat and rated moderate difficulty, though bank fishing is also possible on most sections.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
A ghillie is available on Dairy House Home Beat and can be requested through the provider — particularly useful for first-time visitors to the River Frome.
05Where do I park, and how do I access the beat?
Parking details for Dairy House Home Beat are shown on the beat page, including a map pin where one is provided. Always confirm access arrangements with the provider when you book.
06What tackle should I bring?
Dairy House Home Beat permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the Dairy House Home Beat page suggests the most effective patterns month by month.
07What happens if conditions are poor on the day I've booked?
River conditions can change quickly, especially after rain. Contact the provider as early as possible if you're concerned about Dairy House Home Beat at Casterbridge Fisheries — many are happy to offer an alternative date if the river is unfishable. Cancellation and rescheduling policies vary by provider; check the notes on the booking page or ask when you book.
08Are dogs allowed on the beat?
Dogs are welcome on Dairy House Home Beat — please keep them under control near the water and respect any local rules shown on the page.

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A mayfly day on a famous middle-Test beat can run £300 to £550, and that number ends up standing in Some more river magic to relax and wind down. Back fishing soon, can't w Some river and fishing magic. #flyfishing #chalkstreams #fishing #nature Throwback. Finding my father chilling with the fish in the river. He tried to listen to them, but th

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