Bossington Estate Fly Fishery

River Test

Bossington Estate Fly Fishery is a fishery on the River Test. Below are the 7 beats available for booking, with pricing and access details.

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An iconic sporting estate on the River Test, the birth-place of dry fly-fishing.

Services & Amenities

Day Tickets
Membership
Club Water
Accommodation
Tuition
Equipment Hire

Amenities

fishing huts on every beat victorian thatched fishing hut on home beat fishing hut with self-catering facilities at horsebridge lake catering and picnic hampers available corporate days with full catering gaia/aapgai qualified instructors guided days available equipment hire (rods, reels, lines, flies, vests, nets, hats, boots, polarised sunglasses)

Location

Bossington Estate, Houghton, Stockbridge, SO20 6LT

Contact Information

Address
Bossington Estate, Houghton, Stockbridge, SO20 6LT
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Beats at Bossington Estate Fly Fishery

7 beats available

Each beat has its own access, pricing, and difficulty. Browse all beats on the River Test or compare on the River Test map .

From £328

Home Beat

The iconic Home Beat stands as the crown jewel of the Bossington estate and is undoubtedly its most celebrated stretch of water. Steeped in angling heritage, this premier beat offers a quintessential chalk stream experience, combining exceptional fly fishing with breathtaking natural beauty. Anchoring the beat is a magnificent, wonderfully preserved Victorian thatched fishing hut that commands sweeping, uninterrupted views downstream. Stepping onto the Home Beat is akin to being transported to an entirely different era—a profound place of tranquility where anglers can escape the modern world and cast in the footsteps of fly fishing history. It is the ultimate destination for those seeking both world-class sport and a deeply atmospheric, historic setting.

fly only 12 rods +1
From £328

Home Stream Beat

Home Stream Beat provides a generous and beautifully varied chalk stream experience, offering anglers the perfect "best of both worlds" scenario on the water. This expansive beat seamlessly blends the classic, sweeping glides of main river fishing with the intimate, fast-paced challenge of a carrier stream. The upper reaches feature deep, productive holding pools situated above the historic sluice, transitioning beautifully into the highly engaging main carrier that connects the Old Stews Beat to the lower Home Beat. Because of this exceptionally diverse topography, Home Stream is a highly adaptable beat that fishes well in a wide variety of conditions. Whether you are a novice looking to build confidence or an experienced rod seeking varied water, this beat delivers a comprehensive and highly rewarding day of sport.

fly only 12 rods +1
From £328

House Beat

Positioned directly in front of the historic Bossington House, the House Beat occupies a truly prime location at the magnificent confluence of the main River Test and the lively Wallop Brook. Nestled perfectly between the fabled Home Beat and the historic Bossington Mill, this highly sought-after stretch offers an extraordinary and picturesque setting for the discerning fly fisher. The beat provides an exciting and beautifully varied chalk stream experience. Anglers are treated to classic, meticulously manicured main river fishing, complemented by the unique opportunity to cast from a secluded small island mid-stream. Designated as a terrestrial Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), this island serves as a pristine natural paradise, offering exceptional sport surrounded by a rich, protected ecosystem and abundant wildlife.

fly only 12 rods +1
From £328

Old Station Beat

The Old Station Beat is a charming and intimate stretch of chalk stream that offers a truly exceptional sight-fishing experience. While it provides a plentiful and exciting mix of wild and stocked trout throughout the season, the beat truly comes alive during the famous Mayfly hatch, offering some of the most spectacular dry fly action of the year. Because of its delicate nature and gin-clear waters, the Old Station Beat is best suited for the experienced angler equipped with a shorter brook rod. It is a highly technical water that rewards stealth, careful observation, and precise casting. Anglers fishing this secluded beat will find fantastic opportunities for stalking trout in a profoundly peaceful and tranquil environment, surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

fly only 12 rods +1
From £328

Old Stews Beat

Extensively restored in 2015, the Old Stews Beat has been masterfully transformed into one of the most dynamic and engaging stretches of water on the estate. Already a highly sought-after destination, this meticulous river restoration project has elevated the beat into a premier chalk stream habitat. Today, it offers an unparalleled, feature-rich environment—often described as a paradise for both the thriving trout population and the discerning fly fisher. The careful enhancement of the riverbed and margins provides perfect lies for the fish and a beautifully varied, highly productive canvas for anglers to cast over.

fly only 12 rods +1
From £328

Rushams Beat

Rushams Beat is a highly versatile and welcoming stretch of chalk stream, perfectly suited for anglers of all abilities—from the enthusiastic novice casting their first dry fly to the seasoned rod seeking a rewarding day on the water. This particular beat truly excels during the warmer summer months. The lower half of the reach features deep, cool stretches that provide an excellent sanctuary for trout when temperatures rise, ensuring highly productive fishing even on the hottest days of the season. Moving upstream toward the fishing hut, the character of the river transitions beautifully, offering traditional, fast-flowing chalk stream riffles and highly productive, well-stocked pools.

fly only 12 rods +1
From £328

Wallop Brook

Meandering through the picturesque Wallop Valley, the Wallop Brook is a spirited and enchanting tributary of the River Test. This lively chalk stream eventually meets the main river just upstream from the estate house, offering two miles of pristine, highly secluded water. Teeming with wild brown trout, the Wallop is best suited for the experienced fly fisher. The varied flows and intimate surroundings present a highly rewarding, technical challenge where stealth and precise casting are paramount. Flowing downstream from the village of Broughton, the upper reaches carve through traditional ridge and furrow water meadows, gently grazed by native cattle. As the brook continues, it enters the dappled, wooded canopy of Balls Copse, requiring a delicate approach to navigate the overhead foliage. Beyond the exceptional wild trout fishing, the brook is a biodiverse haven. Anglers fishing this quiet stretch are frequently treated to sightings of kingfishers darting over the water, snipe, roe deer drinking from the margins, and the rare Grizzled Skipper butterfly.

2 miles fly only +2