River Test · Hampshire
Rectory Beat
From April · £270 1 to 2 rods Season 1 Apr to 30 Sept Verified
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Day tickets
Buy a ticket for a single day, with rates and dates further down.
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Catch and release
Fish are returned to the water.
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Ghillie available
You can book a ghillie to show you the water.
About Rectory Beat
Rectory Beat sits on the main channel of the River Test within the Mottisfont Abbey estate in Hampshire, covering about 0.35 mile of chalk stream water downstream of the Oakley Beat. It is a beat for one rod, or for a pair taking it in turns to spot a fish and make the cast.
The river here is narrow and intimate, with woody debris, small pools and dense marginal cover. The bottom half is close to jungle in places, and the regulars will tell you not to rush it, because there is good fishing inside the first fifty yards. From the bottom of the beat up to the fishing hut you will do best wading. Above the bridge it becomes a mix of wading and bank work depending on water levels, and the final stretch opposite the Rectory House garden is fished from the true left bank with no wading.
The beat is unstocked and catch and release, and holds Brown Trout, Grayling. The season runs from 1 April to 30 September, and it is upstream dry fly and nymph throughout. Early season brings the best grannom hatches on the fishery, and the mayfly in late May is as good here as it is on Oakley. There is a fishing cabin on the beat with indoor seating, though most parties walk back to the Oakley hut for lunch. Day tickets start at £270 and cover all three Mottisfont beats.
How you can fish here
- Methods
- Fly Only
- Fly methods
- Dry Fly, Nymph
- Wading
- Wading allowed
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.
- Spring Day ticket · 13 Apr to 11 May
- £270 per day
- Mayfly Day ticket · 12 May to 6 Jun
- £400 per day
- Summer Day ticket · 7 Jun to 30 Sep
- £270 per day
Day tickets and guided days
One ticket fishes the whole fishery. A booking here isn't limited to this beat. It covers all 3 beats at Mottisfont Abbey.
Across the whole of Mottisfont Abbey
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Sells day tickets and guides across Mottisfont Abbey, including this beat.
View fishing agent
Prices by date
November 2026
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Day rate, hover a day for the ticket
How Rectory Beat 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
- Expert (4/5)
- Length
- 0.35 miles
- Water type
- Main river
Stocking and fish species
Rules and policies
Catch & release
EA rod licence required
Dogs allowed
Ghillie available
Ghillie required
Season: 1 Apr to 30 Sept
Amenities
fishing hut
Where you'll fish
Location
The beat's boundary, with parking where we have it.
51.03787, -1.53455
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
Rectory Beat FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Rectory Beat, from tickets to tactics.
01How many rods are allowed on Rectory Beat at any one time?
Rectory Beat allows a maximum of 2 rods at any one time. Contact Mottisfont Abbey directly if you need to confirm current availability.
02What species can I expect to catch on Rectory Beat?
Rectory Beat holds Brown Trout, Grayling. 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 Rectory Beat, though bank fishing is also possible on most sections.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
A ghillie is available on Rectory Beat 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 Rectory 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?
Rectory Beat permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, nymph. The fly recommendations section on the Rectory 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 Rectory Beat at Mottisfont Abbey — 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 Rectory Beat. 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.
