Day Tickets Under £200 on the River Test

Chalk stream fishing has a reputation for being expensive, and plenty of beats live up to it. These are the exceptions: a trout-season day ticket of £200 or less, with winter grayling days often cheaper still. Good water doesn't always come with a painful price tag.

9 beats match. Use the filters below to refine by price or availability, or switch to the map view to see locations.

11 beats on the River Test

Chilbolton Fishing Beat
From £55
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Chilbolton Fishing Beat

A 280-metre stretch of the main River Test adjacent to Chilbolton Common in Hampshire, this single-bank beat offers one or two rods a private day on one of England's most significant chalk streams. The beat has two mid-stream islands, which break the flow into varied current seams, slacker inside bends, and defined lies that reward careful reading before the first cast. During the winter of 2021, the Wessex Rivers Trust carried out extensive bank improvements resulting in better access and a more sinuous river profile. The beat is reached via an 800-metre walk across the flat, open common and is fished from the left bank only; no wading is permitted. The fishing is for brown trout and grayling on upstream dry fly and nymph only. April brings Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis, and Hawthorn to the surface, while mayfly can be expected from mid-May to June — the most productive fortnight of the chalk stream calendar. The latter half of the season is largely dominated by hatches of various caddis flies, with olives and terrestrials filling the gaps through summer. The beat is rated beginner-friendly — open banks and readable water make it a sound introduction to chalk stream technique. All grayling must be returned, as must all trout under 12 inches. The season runs 31 March to 30 October. Day tickets are priced at £175 for a single rod and £330 for two rods during the main trout season; grayling-only days are available at £55. On site there is a rustic fishing hut with tables and chairs, a BBQ, and a selection of wellies and hire tackle, along with a fishing jetty, an outside fishing table, and a composting toilet — everything needed for a full day without leaving the water.

main river0.17 miles+3
Old Station Beat
From £180
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Old Station Beat

Old Station Beat is a restored 450-metre length of main River Test on Bossington Estate, situated immediately below the hallowed Houghton Club water near the village of Houghton in Hampshire. Following an ambitious habitat restoration programme carried out in collaboration with the Environment Agency, the beat was transformed from an over-wide, over-deep channel into a free-flowing chalk stream, and today offers a varied mix of runs, riffles and pools on a single bank. Up to twelve rods can fish the beat across the season, which runs from mid-April to mid-October. The beat is at its best during the Mayfly and offers a plentiful mix of stocked and wild fish throughout the season. Stocked brown trout run from two pounds upwards, with wild trout and the occasional grayling also present. In April, look for Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis and Hawthorn on the surface; May brings the first Mayfly hatch of the year alongside other upwings and terrestrials, while June sees Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olives come through. Dry fly and nymph are the primary methods, and the beat is rated suitable for beginners — a good choice for an angler new to chalk stream fishing who wants to learn the basics of presentation and reading water on the Test. All fishing is catch and release. GAIA- and AAPGAI-qualified instructors are available for one-to-one or group tuition covering fly-fishing fieldcraft and casting, and guided days can also be arranged to accompany you on the river, particularly useful for a novice angler. A good supply of high-quality tackle, clothing, sunglasses and flies is available to hire on the day. Catering runs from picnic hampers supplied by a local deli through to full corporate lunches, with options available through the Estate office. Day rod prices are £328 across all periods of the season.

main river0.27 miles+3
Timsbury 5
From £180
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Timsbury 5

Timsbury 5 sits on the middle and lower Test, between the towns of Romsey and Stockbridge in Hampshire. The beat covers just over half a mile of single-bank main river chalk stream, with a medium flow speed and a mix of shallow and very deep sections that give anglers a genuine variety of water to read and work through in a day. Set a few kilometres below the Kimbridge beat, the river here is noticeably wider and significantly deeper in places, with fish holding in heavy weed that obscures the bottom in the deeper runs. The primary quarry is brown trout, stocked with fish carefully selected locally from River Test stock. The fishery stocks both rainbow and brown trout, with rainbows averaging around 3 lb, and the long-term average sits at three fish caught per rod per day. In the latter part of the season salmon regularly roll in the deeper pools, and there is always a chance of sea trout. The season runs from 30 April to 29 September, with fly-only rules throughout: upstream dry fly and nymph are the methods. The beat carries a good mayfly population, and large numbers of caddis flies hatch through late summer, making it worth carrying sedge patterns from July onwards alongside your standard olive and mayfly imitations. Up to five rods share the water, rated as explorer level and suited to anglers still building their chalk stream experience. Banks are regularly mown and strimmed, and weed cutting takes place through summer, keeping casting lanes open. A fishing hut is on the beat. Day-rod pricing runs at £245 in the main season and £180 in the late season.

main river0.53 miles+3
Ginger Beer
From £95
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Ginger Beer

Sitting on the middle River Test at Kimbridge, Hampshire — between the towns of Romsey and Stockbridge — Ginger Beer is a third of a mile of single-bank chalk stream fishing on one of England's most historically significant rivers. The beat opens with a deep hatch pool at its head before becoming significantly shallower downstream, and away from that upper pool the river bed is clearly visible, along with the fish holding above it. The Test's high alkalinity and clarity, combined with rich aquatic insect and shrimp life, sustain a flourishing ecosystem that keeps fish in condition and feeding throughout the season. The beat holds brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling, all heavily stocked, making it well suited to anglers new to chalk stream fishing. Fishing for trout is restricted to dry fly or nymph, presented upstream only. April sees hatches of Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis, and Hawthorn, with the mayfly running from mid-May through to early June. June brings Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olives, while the grayling season extends the fishing well into autumn and winter. The season runs 2 April to 13 December, with day rod prices of £250 in the main season, £300 during the mayfly window, and £95 for grayling-only days. Up to four rods can book the beat exclusively. All fishing is catch and release. A thatched fishing hut with a well-tended lawn sits right on the water, with toilet facilities on site. A 9-ft, 4- or 5-weight rod covers most situations; carry a selection of upstream nymphs alongside your dry fly box for brighter days when fish are reluctant to rise to the surface.

main river0.33 miles+3
Kimbridge Meadow Fishery
From £125
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Kimbridge Meadow Fishery

Kimbridge Meadow Fishery sits on a tranquil collection of carriers that snake around woodland and water meadows beside the River Test, between Romsey and Stockbridge in Hampshire — an area known as the Middle Test and one of the finest sections of the river. Created in the early 1980s, water from the main River Test was diverted through various water meadows and woods to form this fishery, giving it the intimate, manageable character of a carrier while drawing on the chalk stream's characteristic clarity and steady flow. The beat covers 2.2 miles of double-bank water, bank fishing only, and accommodates up to four rods on a day ticket at £125 per rod. The water is stocked with rainbow and blue trout on a moderate basis, making it well suited to anglers new to chalk stream fly fishing without feeling over-managed. A bag limit of two brace per person applies, with all wild fish to be returned carefully. Fly fishing only, with dry fly and nymph both permitted. On the River Test, April and early May typically bring hatches of Large Dark Olive, Grannom caddis and Hawthorn, while May sees the first mayfly of the year, followed in June by an abundance of Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olives. On bright summer days, nymph fishing comes into its own when nothing is visibly rising. The season runs 1 May to 12 October. To ensure a worthwhile experience, the fishery limits rods to a maximum of four individuals on any day. A fishing hut and toilet facilities are on site. A 9-ft, 4-weight rod with a 9–10 ft tapered leader is the standard chalk stream setup and will cover everything this water asks of you.

carrier2.17 miles+3
The Parsonage
From £95
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The Parsonage

Situated on the magnificent Middle River Test just downstream of Timsbury, The Parsonage Beat offers a wonderfully diverse and secluded chalk stream experience. This highly regarded fishery provides the perfect "best of both worlds" scenario, combining the classic, beginner-friendly dimensions of the main river with the engaging waters of a long carrier stream, making it an absolutely idyllic setting for a relaxed family day out. The expansive main river section provides a highly accessible and forgiving environment, making it an excellent place for novices and younger family members to hone their casting skills and build confidence. It features sweeping glides and notably deep holding water beneath wooded far banks. Because of this depth, sight-fishing is not the easiest, but the open nature of the river presents a wonderfully relaxed environment to practice reading the water and covering likely lies without the stress of tight, technical casting. In wonderful contrast, the expansive carrier stream offers a more intimate chalk stream environment. Its peaty banks and clean gravel sections provide richly varied sport and a slightly different pace alongside the main flow. Complete with excellent facilities for entertaining, the beat boasts a comfortable riverside Cabin, a BBQ area perfect for a family riverside lunch, and a quaint thatched shelter at the top boundary. Whether you are introducing beginners to the sport on the forgiving main river or simply enjoying a group outing, The Parsonage provides a deeply relaxing day of dry fly and nymph fishing tailored for all ability levels.

main river1 miles+3
Whitchurch Fulling Mill
From £125
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Whitchurch Fulling Mill

The higher you venture up the River Test, the better the hatches, the clearer the water and the wilder the fish — and there is no better way of summing up Whitchurch Fulling Mill. Sitting on the upper Test as it flows through the town of Whitchurch in north Hampshire, this beat covers just under 0.6 miles of main chalk stream channel. The fishing divides into three sections: the Garden beat and a Side Stream downstream of the mill, and an Upper section above it. Wading is welcome throughout, though bank fishing is only practical for part of the Garden section. The Test here is a groundwater-fed chalk stream rising from the Upper Chalk aquifer, maintaining stable, cool, clear flows with consistent water levels averaging 0.5 to 1 metre in channelised sections. The water runs gin-clear and fast, with lovely rafts of ranunculus and ideal conditions for sight fishing — particularly for those who like to wade. Wild trout thrive here alongside grayling, and with that three-way mix of wild, lightly stocked and grayling, there is usually something on the feed. The season opens 30 May and runs to 30 December, with dry fly only the rule until 1 August — after which nymphs come into play for both brown trout and grayling. The mayfly typically runs from mid-May to early June, meaning the Mayfly Season day rate of £425 puts you on the water just as that hatch peaks. Grayling fishing from autumn through to late December is available from £125 per rod. The beat is rated as adventurer-level: the water is exceptionally clear and generally not too deep, so fish are easy to spot but equally easy to spook, demanding careful approach and accurate presentation. Up to two rods share the water. A 9 ft 5-weight is the baseline rod for chalk stream fishing of this kind. Fishing runs from 9.30 am until dusk. A rod room with tea and coffee facilities is available on site, and anglers are welcome to use the summer house in the garden for relaxing and picnicking. The White Hart Hotel in Whitchurch, half a mile away on Newbury Street, serves food and has rooms.

main river0.56 miles+3
Timsbury Beat 1
From £180

Timsbury Beat 1

Timsbury Beat 1 sits on the River Test in the village of Timsbury, accessed via a private road through acres of chalk stream water meadows at the heart of the golden stretch of the Test below Stockbridge and above Romsey. The beat covers a third of a mile of main river chalk stream and includes a section of carrier, giving anglers a variety of water within a single day. Each beat at Timsbury consists of a stretch of the main river and a stretch of the carrier, and rods rotate across all four beats so that every angler fishes the whole fishery over the course of the season. Up to two rods fish the beat at any one time, keeping the water uncrowded. The fishery is predominantly a brown trout fishery, stocked with fish carefully selected locally from River Test stock. Itinerant rainbow trout also appear, and later in the season salmon regularly roll in the deeper pools, with a genuine chance of connecting with one or a sea trout. The 20-year average across the fishery is three fish caught per rod per day. Fishing is fly only — upstream dry fly and nymph — and suits beginners well, with heavily stocked water and clear chalk stream visibility making it straightforward to spot and present to rising fish. The season opens in April with Large Dark Olive, Grannom caddis and Hawthorn on the water, before the mayfly arrives from mid-May through to early June, followed by Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olives through June and into summer. The season runs 1 April to 31 October, with day rods from £180. Banks are maintained to a high standard, with regular mowing and strimming keeping access clear throughout the season. The main fishing lodge has power, a kitchen area, WC, washing facilities and a large patio overlooking the river; three further huts with picnic tables are positioned around the fishery. Access is through an electrically controlled farm gate, with parking on site.

main river0.33 miles+3
Timsbury Beat 2
From £180

Timsbury Beat 2

Timsbury Beat 2 covers around 0.4 miles of the main River Test in Hampshire, situated in the village of Timsbury between Romsey and Stockbridge. It forms one of four individual beats on over three miles of bank, encompassing both the main river and two carrier streams. The fishery is accessed via electric gates along a private road and is surrounded by acres of privately owned chalk stream water meadows. Bank fishing only, with easy access along well-maintained banks, with regular mowing and strimming throughout the season. The chalk water, combined with careful management of the river's weed beds, creates ideal conditions for brown trout, and the fishery is heavily stocked to support consistent sport. The 20-year average is three fish caught per rod per day. Fishing is fly only — upstream dry fly and nymph are the primary methods — and the beat suits beginners well, with open banks and chalk streams being almost always fishable regardless of weather conditions. The season runs from 31 March to 30 October. In April, expect hatches of Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis and Hawthorn; the mayfly follows from mid-May to early June, and June brings Blue-Winged Olives and Medium Olives. Salmon can be caught but must be returned to the river. The beat is limited to one or two rods and is priced at £180 for a day rod. Fishing rotates across all four beats so that each rod fishes the whole fishery every eight weeks. On-bank amenities include a fishing hut and toilet facilities, and the main fishing lodge, constructed in 2017, overlooks the main river and is equipped with mains electricity and Wi-Fi. Weed cutting follows dates set by the Test and Itchen Association, so it is worth checking the fishery calendar when planning a visit.

main river0.4 miles+3
Timsbury Beat 3
From £180

Timsbury Beat 3

Beat 3 is one of four private, fly-only beats at Timsbury Fishery, situated beside the River Test between Romsey and Stockbridge in Hampshire. Each beat consists of a stretch of the main river and a stretch of carrier stream, and at just over half a mile Beat 3 offers a manageable, bank-fished length suited to one or two rods. The river is maintained to a high standard, with easy access to all the beats through regular mowing and strimming along the banks, as well as weed cutting during the summer. The fishery is accessed via electric gates along a private road and is surrounded by acres of privately owned chalk stream water meadows. The chalk water, combined with careful management of the river's weed beds, creates ideal conditions for brown trout, and the fishery is heavily stocked to support consistent sport. The 20-year average is three fish caught per rod per day. Fishing is fly-only — upstream dry fly and nymph are the primary methods — and the beat is rated suitable for beginners, making it a practical introduction to chalk stream technique. The main flies hatching on the River Test in April are the Large Dark Olive, the Grannom Caddis and the Hawthorn; the mayfly follows from mid-May to early June, and summer brings a variety of caddis, olives and terrestrials. The season runs 31 March to 30 October. Rods rotate across all four beats so that each rod fishes the whole fishery every eight weeks, with a free-for-all period between early October and the season's end. Day rod prices run from £180 to £300 (upper beat), with a season rod available at £1,800. The main fishing lodge, constructed in 2017, overlooks the main river and is well equipped with a patio, mains electricity, Wi-Fi, a fully fitted kitchen, and a washroom with flushing toilet. Additional huts with picnic tables are positioned at strategic points around the fishery. A 9-ft rod for a 4- or 5-weight line covers most situations on this water.

main river0.52 miles+3
Timsbury Beat 4
From £180

Timsbury Beat 4

Beat 4 sits within Timsbury Fishery on the River Test near the village of Timsbury, between Romsey and Stockbridge in Hampshire, accessed via a private road through chalk stream water meadows. This beat covers roughly a third of a mile of main river and includes a stretch of carrier stream — each of the four beats at Timsbury consists of a stretch of the main river and a stretch of the carrier — giving a varied day's fishing across two distinct water types. The banks are maintained to a high standard, with regular mowing and strimming along the banks and weed cutting during the summer, making for easy bank access throughout the season. The chalk water, combined with careful management of the river's weed beds, creates ideal conditions for brown trout, and the fishing is predominantly upstream dry fly or nymph. The fishery is heavily stocked and well suited to beginners, with a 20-year average of three fish caught per rod per day. The main flies hatching on the River Test in April are the Large Dark Olive, the Grannom Caddis and the Hawthorn; May sees the first mayfly hatch of the year alongside other upwings, while June brings Blue-Winged Olives and Medium Olives. Salmon have been caught on the fishery but are required to be returned. The season runs 31 March to 30 October, with one or two rods per day. Fishing rotates over the four beats so that a rod fishes the whole fishery every eight weeks. Day rod prices start at £180, with a season rod available at £1,800. The main fishing lodge, constructed in 2017, overlooks the main river and is well equipped with mains electricity, Wi-Fi, a fully fitted kitchen, and a washroom with flushing toilet. A fishing hut is also available on the beat itself. Fly-only rules apply throughout; a 9-foot rod for a 4- or 5-weight line is the standard choice for this kind of chalk stream dry fly and nymph work.

main river0.37 miles+3

5 fisheries on the River Test

Bossington Estate
From £180
1 beat
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Bossington Estate

Sitting on the middle River Test, south of Houghton near Stockbridge, Bossington Estate lies in a catchment well known as the birthplace of dry fly fishing — it was on the banks of the River Test that Frederick Halford honed the ground-breaking thoughts that effectively invented modern dry fly fishing in the late 1800s. The fishery offers seven beats across the estate: six on the main river — Rushams, Home, Old Stews, Home Stream, House, and Old Station — plus two miles of the Wallop Brook, a lively tributary of the Test. The river beats each have their own individuality, with deep pools, riffled water and gravel beds, while the Wallop Brook fishes like a true chalk stream, rewarding patience and stealth. The iconic Home Beat is the most famous of all Bossington beats, where a Victorian thatched fishing hut offers magnificent views downstream. Every beat has its own fishing hut, and a secluded self-catering hut serves Horsebridge Lake, a spring-fed still water stocked with rainbow trout. Day tickets are available on all beats, and the estate provides GAIA and AAPGAI-qualified instructors for one-to-one or group tuition covering fly-fishing fieldcraft and casting. Equipment hire covers rods, tackle, clothing and flies, and corporate days with full catering and picnic hampers can be arranged through the estate office.

Day ticketsTuition+1
Chilbolton Fishery
From £55
1 beat
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Chilbolton Fishery

A private, secluded 280-metre stretch of the main River Test, Chilbolton Fishery sits beside Chilbolton Cow Common in the Test Valley, Hampshire, at the point where the rivers Dever and Anton join the Test. This family-owned fishery is not run as a commercial enterprise; the ethos is to enjoy a day on the River Test with the knowledge that when you book, you have the whole place to yourself. The single beat has two islands, a comfortable rustic fishing hut, and numerous seats and jetties. During the winter of 2021, the Wessex River Trust carried out extensive bank improvements resulting in better access and a more sinuous river profile. Anglers fish for brown trout and grayling under a strict upstream dry fly and nymph-only rule, with no wading permitted. The beat offers variation — slower stretches suited to dry fly work and faster runs ideal for nymphing. Day tickets are available, and a selection of tackle is available to hire on site. All grayling must be returned, trout under 12 inches returned, and the brown trout limit is five fish per day. For visiting fly fishers who want a quiet, unpressured day on a genuine Hampshire chalk stream, Chilbolton Fishing delivers exactly that.

Day ticketsEquipment hire
Kimbridge Meadow Fishery
From £125
1 beat
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Kimbridge Meadow Fishery

Kimbridge Meadow Fishery sits on the middle River Test in Hampshire, between Romsey and Stockbridge, on a man-made fishery created in the early 1980s, when water from the main River Test was diverted through water meadows and woodland. The fishery is split into four named carrier beats — Cottage Stream, Garden Stream, Alder Stream, and Woodland Stream — with a day ticket giving access to all four. A total of 2.17 miles of riverbank can be fished, and most of the fishing is double bank, with Cottage Stream the only single-bank beat. The fishery operates as a purist upstream dry fly venue; upstream nymphing is permitted from 1 August. The clear water, steady flow, and high levels of dissolved minerals create a unique ecosystem that sustains an abundance of invertebrates, making sight fishing for brown trout the primary draw. The season runs from 1 May to 12 October, with a maximum of four individual rods on any day, or up to six for an exclusive group booking. Day tickets and equipment hire are available, and the fishery is well equipped with a fishing hut, riverside benches, a picnic area, a BBQ area and toilet facilities.

Day ticketsEquipment hire
Timsbury Fishery
From £180
4 beats

Timsbury Fishery

Located on the middle reaches of the world-famous River Test, perfectly situated between Romsey and Stockbridge, Timsbury Fishery offers a truly historic chalk stream fly fishing experience. Spanning over three miles of meticulously maintained water, the fishery is divided into four exclusive two-rod beats. Each beat provides a captivating variety of fishing, incorporating stretches of both the wide, glassy main river and the intimate, challenging carrier streams. Managed primarily as a highly sought-after syndicate, Timsbury also accommodates select day ticket rods and guided experiences. Anglers are treated to classic upstream dry fly and nymph fishing for exceptional wild brown trout, complemented by a careful stocking of premium rainbow and brown trout. During the winter months, the fishery transforms into a highly regarded destination for specimen grayling and quality coarse fishing. Beyond the water, Timsbury delivers a superb level of comfort and hospitality. At the heart of the estate sits a fully equipped, modern fishing lodge featuring a kitchen, secure rod room, and a spacious patio overlooking the main river—perfect for relaxing with fellow rods. With additional huts stationed strategically across the beats, Timsbury Fishery provides a complete, premium sporting day on the legendary River Test.

Day ticketsTuition
From £85
7 beats

Wherwell Estate Fishing

Wherwell Estate Fishing sits on the upper River Test in Hampshire, within northwest Hampshire's rolling chalkland, owned and cared for by the same family for over 100 years. The fishery covers around three miles of river across open water meadows, with beats typically comprising carrier streams alongside tree-lined pools and gravel runs. Seven numbered beats are available — Beats Nine, Ten and Eleven fish the main river, while Beats Three, Four, Five and Seven cover the smaller carriers. Located on the upper Test, the river width is manageable for casting, with the majority of fishing done by overhead cast. The river holds good populations of wild brown trout and grayling alongside stocked fish. Trout fishing runs from the start of May through mid-October, with grayling fishing from mid-October through to mid-March. Day tickets and membership are both available. Each beat has its own fishing hut, suitable for a group to take lunch, and the estate also provides a lakeside fishing hut with a kitchen, catch returns folders, and electronic gates. A secluded lake stocked with rainbow trout accommodates up to six rods per day and is open for year-round booking, offering an alternative for groups or families alongside the river beats.

Day tickets