River Test · Hampshire
Leckford Beat 8
From April · £260 1 to 2 rods Season 1 May to 15 Oct
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Day tickets
Buy a ticket for a single day, with rates and dates further down.
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Bag limit of 5
You may take up to 5 fish. Check the rules below.
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Bank fishing only
You fish from the bank, with no wading.
About Leckford Beat 8
Beat 8 at Leckford Estate Fishing offers one of the more varied configurations on this stretch of the Hampshire Test — both banks of the main river plus the carrier known as the Old Test. The estate sits with Leckford village to the east and Longstock to the west, and Beat 8's main river section runs upstream from the left bank toward the bridge marking the boundary with Beat 7, where inviting shallows give way to deeper water. The Old Test carrier, fished from the right bank, is a more intimate proposition — a mix of fast riffles and undercut glides that demands a careful approach. A deep pool behind the footbridge at the top of the beat is a reliable holding lie for larger brown trout. The beat is also a good spot to watch hobby falcons catching mayflies during the early summer hatch.
May sees the first mayfly hatch of the year, and the season runs through to 14 October. As August slips into September, fresh hatches of olives arrive, including the Blue Winged Olive (BWO), whose evening spinner falls bring the shallower main river sections alive. Nymph fishing proves useful on bright summer days when nothing is rising. All estate fisheries are stocked with trout hatched and grown at Leckford, with Beat 8 carrying a moderate stock of brown and rainbow trout alongside resident grayling. The beat suits beginners well, with open banks and readable water, though the carrier rewards a stealthier presentation.
One or two rods fish the beat from 29 April to 14 October, fly only — dry fly and nymph. Day tickets are priced at £260. Accommodation is available on the estate for those planning a longer visit.
How you can fish here
- Methods
- Fly Only
- Fly methods
- Dry Fly, Nymph
- Banks
- Bank fishing only
Pricing and season
Indicative prices. They don't show whether a day is still free and other rates may apply, so confirm availability and the final price with whoever you book through before you travel.
Tickets
These are the 2026 prices. 2027 prices aren't out yet.
- Main season Day ticket · 30 Apr to 15 Oct
- £260 per day
Day tickets and guided days
- Leckford Estate Fishing Day ticketsFrom £260 Book
Across the whole of Leckford Estate Fishing
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Sells day tickets and guides across Leckford Estate Fishing, including this beat.
View fishing agent
Prices by date
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Day rate, hover a day for the ticket
How Leckford Beat 8 compares on the River Test
Typical, lowest and highest full-day rod, from 50 beats with published day rates
typical (median)
cheapest to dearest beat
this beat
Day tickets on the River Test run from £55 to £388. The typical full-day rate is around £260, peaking in May.
Compare with other riversFishing details
- Rods
- 1 to 2
- Difficulty
- Beginner (1/5)
- Water type
- Main river
Rules and policies
Catch & release
Bag limit: 5 fish
EA rod licence required
Dogs allowed
Ghillie available
Ghillie required
Season: 1 May to 15 Oct
Amenities
fishing hut toilets accommodation
Where you'll fish
Location
River onlyExact location is hidden at the owner's request. This beat is on the River Test at Leckford Estate Fishing.
Conditions on the River Test
The river and fishery
Rising at Ashe, near Overton, the River Test runs for 40 miles through Hampshire, flowing south through Whitchurch, Longparish, and Wherwell before the Rivers Dever and Anton join the main channel…
View the River Test guideFlies for this beat
Expected in November on the River Test
Typical months from the river’s hatch calendar, which applies along its whole length rather than to this beat. Not a live report.
We get a small commission if you buy through these links, and it costs you nothing extra. If the calendar has been useful and you feel like supporting an independent site, buying your flies this way is an easy way to do it.
Similar beats on the River Test
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, fishing details, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.
FAQ
Leckford Beat 8 FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Leckford Beat 8, from tickets to tactics.
01How many rods are allowed on Leckford Beat 8 at any one time?
Leckford Beat 8 allows a maximum of 2 rods at any one time. Contact Leckford Estate Fishing directly if you need to confirm current availability.
02What species can I expect to catch on Leckford Beat 8?
Leckford Beat 8 holds Brown Trout, Grayling, Rainbow Trout. The beat is moderate-stocked to supplement the wild fish — see the Stocking section on the page for details.
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
Leckford Beat 8 is bank-fishing only — no wading is permitted.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
A ghillie is available on Leckford Beat 8 and can be requested through the provider — particularly useful for first-time visitors to the River Test.
05Where do I park, and how do I access the beat?
Parking details for Leckford Beat 8 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?
Leckford Beat 8 permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the Leckford Beat 8 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 Leckford Beat 8 at Leckford Estate Fishing — 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 not listed as permitted on Leckford Beat 8. Check the Beat Rules section on the page or contact the provider before bringing a dog, as policies can vary by season and stretch of the River Test.
Worth a read
£260 per rod
Out of season, from April
