Leckford Beat 5

on the River Test
main river

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Half a mile of double-bank main river on the Hampshire Test, Beat 5 sits within the Leckford Estate. The focal point is a fishing hut positioned on an island with a deep, sweeping pool directly in front that holds fish consistently through the season and produces reliable evening rises.

The River Test's clear, nutrient-rich chalk stream waters provide the perfect home for rainbow and brown trout, as well as grayling, and Beat 5 carries all three. Stocking is moderate, with all fish hatched and grown on the Leckford Estate itself. The beat is fly-only — dry fly and nymph — and is rated suitable for beginners, making it a sound choice for anglers new to chalk stream fishing. April sees hatches of Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis and Hawthorn, while the mayfly period on the main Test typically begins around 15 May. June brings Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olives, with evening rises extending well into the summer months.

The season runs 29 April to 14 October, with one or two rods on the water at any time. Day rod prices are £260 in the main season and £320 during the mayfly window. The fishing HQ is positioned at the Farm Shop and Nursery site in Longstock, providing a central meeting point to check rules, sign in, and meet the river-keeping team. The beat also has its own fishing hut and toilet facilities on-island, and accommodation is available on the estate for those planning a longer stay.

Season In season · 1 May – 15 Oct
Rods
1 – 2
Difficulty
Beginner (1/5)
Price
From £260
Length
0.5 miles

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
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1£260
2£260
3£260
4£260
5£260
6£260
7£260
8£260
9£260
10£260
11£260
12£260
13£260
14£260
15£260
16£260
17£260
18£260
19£260
20£260
21£260
22£260
23£260
24£260
25£260
26£260
27£260
28£260
29£260
30£260
31£260
September 2026
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1£260
2£260
3£260
4£260
5£260
6£260
7£260
8£260
9£260
10£260
11£260
12£260
13£260
14£260
15£260
16£260
17£260
18£260
19£260
20£260
21£260
22£260
23£260
24£260
25£260
26£260
27£260
28£260
29£260
30£260
Day ticketMain Season
30 Apr – 15 Oct
£260
per day
Day ticketMayfly Season
15 May – 6 Jun
£320
per day

Booking

Book Through

Leckford Estate Fishing Primary
£260 – £320
Book

Stocking & Fish Species

moderate stocking
Grayling
Grayling
Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout

Rules & Policies

Catch & Release
Bag limit: 5 fish
EA Rod License Required
Dogs Allowed
Ghillie Available
Ghillie Required
Season: 1 May – 15 Oct

Fishery

From £260
14 beats

Leckford Estate Fishing

Sitting on the middle River Test, north of Stockbridge, Leckford Estate Fishing is managed as part of the John Lewis Partnership and offers one of the most accessible stretches of Hampshire chalk stream fly fishing available on day ticket. Eleven miles of the River Test are covered across nine bookable beats, with both single and double bank options and clear, nutrient-rich water holding brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling. The Test at this point is not a single channel — carriers, side streams, and the main river run in parallel, giving each beat its own character, from carrier-focused beats with shorter main river sections to double-bank main river with shallow glides deepening into holding pools. A team of full-time riverkeepers maintains the fishery, which sits within the Test Valley SSSI, surrounded by water meadows and reed beds. Visiting anglers can book day tickets or membership, and the estate supports beginners and improvers with tuition and beginners' courses on the lakes. Two stillwater options — Testside Lakes and Longstock Park Lake — round out the offer, with fishing lodges at each. Equipment hire, ghillie services, accommodation, and corporate packages are also available, making Leckford Estate a practical base for a full chalk stream trip in Hampshire.

Day tickets Accommodation +2

Fishing Methods

Fly Only

Fly Methods

Dry Fly Nymph
Wading Allowed
Bank Fishing Only
Double Bank

Contact

Visit Website

Location

Exact location is hidden at the owner's request. This beat is on the River Test at Leckford Estate Fishing.

River only
View on map →

Amenities

fishing hut toilets accommodation

More on the River Test

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 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

Leckford Beat 5 FAQs

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

01How many rods are allowed on Leckford Beat 5 at any one time?
Leckford Beat 5 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 5?
Leckford Beat 5 holds Grayling, Brown Trout, 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 5 is bank-fishing only — no wading is permitted.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
A ghillie is available on Leckford Beat 5 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 5 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 5 permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the Leckford Beat 5 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 5 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 5. 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.

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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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