Leckford Estate Fishing
River TestLeckford Estate Fishing is a fishery on the River Test. Below are the 14 beats available for booking, with pricing and access details.
Still fishing for pictures…
Contribute picturesSitting 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.
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Amenities
Location
Leckford Estate, Stockbridge, Hampshire
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14 beats availableEach beat has its own access, pricing, and difficulty. Browse all beats on the River Test or compare on the River Test map .
Leckford Beat 2
Beat 2 at Leckford Estate Fishing covers roughly half a mile of double-bank water on the River Test in Hampshire, but its character is defined less by the main river than by its carrier. The beat is primarily carrier fishing from the right-hand bank, with an additional 150 metres of left-hand bank on the main Test. That carrier demands a different approach entirely — tight lines, low profiles, and careful reading of the water — making this one of the more technically absorbing beats on the estate. The River Test's clear, nutrient-rich chalk stream waters provide the perfect home for rainbow and brown trout, as well as grayling, and all three species are present here. All estate fisheries are stocked with trout hatched and grown at Leckford itself, with moderate stocking supplementing a resident wild population. The season runs 01 May to 15 October. The mayfly period on the main Test typically begins around 15 May, and Beat 2's carrier comes alive during this hatch — fish hold confidently in the steadier flows and can be selective. June brings blue-winged olives and medium olives, and trout can become locked onto a single species, demanding precise pattern matching through the summer. A fishing hut serves as a quiet base for the day. The weed rack directly in front of the hut is a known holding lie for larger fish and worth watching before you cast. One or two rods only; dry fly and nymph are the permitted methods. Priced at £260 for the main season and £320 during mayfly. Accommodation is available on the estate for those wanting a longer stay.
Leckford Beat 10
Beat 10 is home to the iconic Eel Pot Hut — one of the most photographed scenes on the River Test — sitting on the middle Test, north of Stockbridge, within the Leckford Estate. The beat covers both banks of the main river and a small stretch of carrier, making it a genuine double-bank day on one of Hampshire's most celebrated chalk streams. The surrounding water meadows form part of the Test Valley SSSI, giving the beat a setting rich in chalk stream flora and invertebrate life — the natural larder that keeps the trout in good condition. 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 10 holds all three. Behind the Eel Pots, fast water produces some surprisingly robust trout each season, while upstream on the true right bank a long, deep glide known as Rainbow Run is the scene of many a hard-fought battle with large, powerful fish. The beat is rated beginner-friendly and fished on a fly-only basis with both dry fly and nymph permitted. Expect olives, caddis, and a reliable mayfly hatch through the season, with freshwater shrimp patterns also worth carrying sub-surface. May brings the first mayfly of the year alongside other upwings, while June sees blue-winged olives and medium olives come through. The beat runs from 1 June to 15 October, with up to two rods on the water. All fish are stocked with trout hatched and grown on the Leckford Estate itself, giving a moderate stocking level that complements whatever wild fish are present. Day rod prices are £260 in the main season and £320 during the mayfly period. Four full-time river keepers maintain the fishery to a high standard. A fishing hut, toilets, and on-site accommodation are all available, making Beat 10 a practical choice for an overnight or multi-day visit to the Test Valley.
Leckford Beat 12
Beat 12 offers double-bank main river fishing plus access to a carrier — the Kettle Ditch — on the middle River Test at Leckford Estate in Hampshire, running downstream from the road bridge past the main hatches to the cattle bridge at the top of Beat 14, with the carrier fishable from the lower boundary up to the fish farm fence. The estate sits on the middle Test, north of Stockbridge, with Leckford village to the east and Longstock to the west — a well-managed stretch of chalk stream that suits one or two rods fishing together without feeling crowded. The road bridge pool holds some large trout, though they can be selective, while downstream the old hatch structures create a very deep pool behind the sill and a corresponding one on the new hatch system — both worth working carefully with a dry fly or nymph. The Test's clear, nutrient-rich chalk stream waters provide the perfect home for rainbow and brown trout, as well as grayling, and the estate moderately stocks its own estate-reared fish alongside resident wild fish. Flies for the Test include olives, caddis, and terrestrials alongside a reliable mayfly hatch, while nymphing with a freshwater shrimp imitation fished close to the bottom is consistently effective. The season runs 1 June to 15 October, with the early weeks offering Blue Winged Olive and Medium Olive hatches, and October bringing some excellent fishing as cooling temperatures prompt trout into an aggressive feed before spawning. Rated suitable for beginners, the beat is forgiving in terms of bank access and water character. A 9ft 5-weight is the baseline rod for the main river, though a lighter outfit works well on the Kettle Ditch carrier. A fishing hut sits on the right-hand bank near the bottom of the beat, with toilet facilities and estate accommodation available for those making a longer stay. Day rods are priced at £260 in the main season, rising to £320 during the mayfly period — Leckford being one of the earliest pioneers of the artificial mayfly and a cherished fishing destination for generations.
Leckford Beat 11
Beat 11 is carrier fishing through and through — a braided network of channels on the middle River Test at Leckford Estate in Hampshire, originally dug to supply water to the surrounding water meadows in the 1800s. The water is intimate and close-quarter, ideally suited to a 3- or 4-weight outfit, but don't assume the fish match the scale of the stream: deeper glides and pools hold trout over 3lb, and a surprise monster is always a possibility. A stealthy approach pays dividends here. The beat is fished bank-only by up to two rods on a catch-and-release basis, running from 1 June through to 15 October. The River Test's clear, nutrient-rich chalk stream waters provide the perfect home for rainbow and brown trout, as well as grayling — all three species are present on Beat 11. Stocking is light, meaning wild fish feature alongside lightly supplemented rainbows. Spring and early summer bring an explosion of mayfly hatches, providing ample opportunity for dry fly fishing, and the season opens just as the mayfly tails off, making Blue-Winged Olives and medium olives the dominant surface flies through June and July. The final weeks of the trout season in early October can produce excellent fishing, as cooling temperatures provoke trout into an aggressive feed as they put on condition before spawning. Dry fly and nymph are both permitted, making this a versatile beat for reading the water and matching the hatch. The beat is rated suitable for beginners, and the confined nature of the carriers — an amalgam of man-made channels originally cut for water meadow irrigation — means shorter, more precise casts rather than long-distance presentation. The beats sit within almost 500 acres of water meadows and reed beds, all included in the Test Valley SSSI. A fishing hut is located midway along the beat, with toilet facilities and estate accommodation available. Day rod pricing is £260 in the main season, rising to £320 during the mayfly period.
Leckford Beat 5
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.
Leckford Beat 13
Beat 13 fishes the Old Test — a double-bank carrier on the Leckford Estate in Hampshire — offering a long and secluded stretch of chalk stream sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds by the Great Common, a hundred-acre island that splits the river at the top of the beat. The water runs through a varied character, from fast shallow glides to deep meanders, making it one of the more diverse carrier beats on the estate. 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 13 holds all three, with blue trout also present. Moderate stocking keeps fish numbers consistent throughout the season without overwhelming the natural character of the water. Upstream dry fly fishing only applies until 31 July, after which a nymph may be used, provided it is a fair representation of a natural. May sees the first mayfly hatch of the year alongside other upwings and terrestrials, while June brings an abundance of blue-winged olives and medium olives. Past the fishing hut, halfway down the stretch, a footbridge known as the Salmon Bridge marks a notable feature — the shallows behind it serve as a favoured spawning site for salmon returning in the winter months. The beat suits one or two rods and is rated as beginner-friendly, making it a sound introduction to carrier fly fishing on the middle Test. For carrier beats of this type, a lighter rod rated for a 3 or 4 weight is well suited to the water. Fly choice ranges from traditional chalk stream patterns — Tup's Indispensible, Greenwell's Glory, and the Leckford Professor — through to smaller midges and reed smuts on size 18s or 20s. The season runs 1 May to 15 October, priced at £260 per rod per day in the main season and £320 during the mayfly period. A fishing hut, toilet facilities, and on-site accommodation are available on the estate.
Leckford Beat 9
Beat 9 sits on the middle River Test at Leckford Estate, one of eleven miles of the Test's most sought-after fishing water, divided across sixteen beats in the heart of the Hampshire chalk stream valley. The beat covers both banks of the main river and the right-hand bank of a parallel carrier, with the main channel deepest in its top third — the water behind the footbridge and in front of the shared hut is well-known on the estate as a reliable lie for a large brown trout. The carrier runs alongside the main flow before finishing at a pool behind the shared hut, offering a more intimate, short-range contrast to the open main river. The Test's clear, nutrient-rich chalk stream water provides the perfect habitat for brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling, and Beat 9 holds all three. The beat is rated for experienced anglers — the deeper main channel demands accurate presentation and a considered approach to reading the water. Dry fly and nymph are the only permitted methods. Flies for the Test in the early season include the Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis, and Hawthorn; the mayfly runs from mid-May to early June, commanding a premium day rate of £320, while June brings Blue-Winged Olives and Medium Olives, with longer days and brighter skies making early mornings and late evenings the most productive windows. The beat is also a noted spot for watching hobby falcons hunting mayflies on the wing during peak summer hatches. The season runs 29 April to 14 October, with one to two rods at £260 per day outside the mayfly period. A shared fishing hut and toilet facilities are on site, and accommodation is available on the estate for those planning a longer visit.
Leckford Beat 14
Beat 14 offers main river fishing on both banks plus a carrier on the left-hand bank, running from the cattle bridge at the bottom of Beat 12 down to the boundary with the Houghton Club just behind the footbridge, with Longstock village forming the backdrop on the right bank and the South Moors water meadows opening out to the left. At around 500 yards of double-bank water plus a small carrier, it is one of the more generous allocations on the estate — open, manageable water that suits anglers still building their chalk stream experience. The beat sits within almost 500 acres of water meadows and reed beds, all part of the Test Valley SSSI, giving a genuinely varied environment in which to cast a dry fly to estate-reared rainbow and blue trout alongside grayling. Fishing is fly only — dry fly and nymph — across a season running 1 May to 15 October. May brings the first mayfly hatch of the year alongside other up-wings and terrestrials, while June sees blue-winged olives and medium olives coming through. A healthy population of freshwater shrimp means nymph fishing with a shrimp imitation can be particularly effective when fish are not visibly rising. Grayling provide a useful second target through the back end of the season into October. A 9 ft 5-weight is the standard chalk stream outfit, though on the narrower carrier a lighter 7 ft rod is perfectly suited. Up to two rods can fish the beat simultaneously. Day rod prices run from £260 in the main season, rising to £320 during the mayfly period. All fish are stocked with trout hatched and grown on the Leckford Estate itself. A fishing hut, toilets, and on-site accommodation are available, and four full-time river keepers maintain the fishery and are on hand to give visiting anglers the full chalk stream experience.
Leckford Beat 7
Beat 7 on the Leckford Estate offers just under half a mile of double-bank fly fishing on the River Test in Hampshire, combining a small carrier stream with a full main-river section. The beat comprises main river and carrier, with the carrier fished from the right-hand bank and a small pool halfway up worth working carefully for resting fish; the path then leads to the bottom of the main river and the fishing hut. The main river section is fished from either bank and suits dry fly and nymph on one to two rods. The main river shallows upstream but deepens from the second side bridge down to the pool at the Beat 7 boundary — a fast-water run where a G&H Sedge will often catch in the fast water at the pool. Brown and rainbow trout are the primary quarry, with grayling also present. All fish are hatched and grown on the estate itself, with moderate stocking keeping the water productive without feeling artificial. The season opens with large dark olives, grannom caddis and hawthorn in April, the mayfly arrives in May, and June brings blue-winged olives and medium olives — the BWO in particular can make trout highly selective through summer. The hawthorn hatch falls in late April and the mayfly from mid-May to early June, with a Mayfly Season day rod priced at £320 and the main season at £260. Rated suitable for beginners, Beat 7 is a forgiving introduction to chalk stream technique without sacrificing the quality of water. The surrounding water meadows form part of the Test Valley SSSI, giving a genuinely special environment in which to cast a dry fly to estate-reared brown and rainbow trout. A fishing hut and toilet facilities are on site, and accommodation is available on the estate for those wanting to extend their visit. A 9-ft 5-weight is the practical choice for the main river; drop to a 3- or 4-weight for the intimate carrier.
Waterwheel Beat
The Waterwheel Beat sits on the middle River Test at Leckford Estate, north of Stockbridge in Hampshire — one of sixteen beats spread across eleven miles of the Test, with a mix of single and double-bank configurations offering varied conditions throughout the system. This is a bank-fishing-only beat on the main river, characterised by the wide, open glides and clear chalk-filtered water typical of the middle Test, with a long footbridge providing both access to the far bank and an elevated vantage point for spotting fish holding in the current. The river's clear, nutrient-rich chalk stream waters hold brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling, with the beat carrying a moderate stocking programme to complement resident fish. May brings the first mayfly hatch of the year alongside other upwings and terrestrials — arguably the finest month on the water, with fish feeding heavily in more favourable conditions. Through summer, caddis, olives, and terrestrials keep fish looking up, while nymph fishing comes into its own during quieter midday periods. The beat is rated suitable for beginners, making it a practical first introduction to chalk stream dry fly technique. The season runs 30 April to 14 October, with day rod prices of £260 in the main season and £320 during the mayfly window. A fishing hut and on-site toilet facilities are available bankside, and accommodation is offered on the estate, making an overnight stay straightforward for those travelling from further afield. A 9-foot rod for a 4- or 5-weight line handles most conditions here; fine tippets are advisable given the clarity of the water.
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.
Mayfly beat
Beat 1 — the Mayfly Beat — sits at the top of Leckford Estate's river fishing on the middle Test in Hampshire, offering double-bank access on the main river and single-bank fishing on a carrier. The River Anton joins the Test here, and anglers can fish upstream to the Cattle Drink; a fishing hut is available. The Anton contributes clear spring water running over bright gravel and ranunculus beds, and from below Fullerton the main river widens into a variety of habitats — deep pools, long glides, and weed ribbons — alongside the carrier channels. The chalk stream's nutrient-rich water supports brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling, with an extensive aquatic larder — mayfly, olives, and shrimp — that keeps fish in good condition and free-rising to a well-presented dry fly. The beat is rated suitable for beginners and takes up to two rods, making it a manageable introduction to chalk stream dry fly and nymph fishing. The mayfly hatch runs from mid-May to early June, and the summer brings a variety of caddis, olives, and terrestrials through to the season close. June sees Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olives come through in numbers, with longer days rewarding an early start or a late finish. The beat's name reflects just how productive this stretch is during the mayfly fortnight, when trout feed confidently on duns and spent flies in the slacker water near the confluence. The season runs 30 April to 14 October, with day rod prices of £260 in the main season and £315 during the mayfly period. A 9- or 10-foot rod for a 4- or 5-weight line handles most conditions on the main river; a lighter 3- or 4-weight suits the carrier. The estate's head riverkeeper and team are on hand to assist visiting rods, and qualified tuition is available from Rob, Neil, and Andy on both river and lakes. Equipment hire, ghillie service, and online booking are all available through Leckford Estate, with dining at Leckford Abbas Hotel and lodge hire at Longstock Park for those making a longer stay.
Leckford Beat 6
Beat 6 covers just under half a mile of double-bank chalk stream on the River Test within the Leckford Estate, a well-managed Hampshire fishery that holds sixteen beats across eleven miles of the Test's most productive water. The beat offers both banks of the main river plus two sections of carrier stream; the main river runs fairly shallow before deepening from the second side bridge down to a pool, while the carriers provide interesting fishing and are always worth exploring. The water holds brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling, all stocked with fish hatched and grown on the estate itself. Rated suitable for beginners, the shallower upstream sections offer clear sight-fishing over gravel, while the deepening glide toward the Beat 7 boundary gives more experienced nymph anglers something to work with. The hatch calendar runs from hawthorn in late April through the mayfly from mid-May to early June, with a variety of caddis, olives, and terrestrials carrying the summer. June brings blue-winged olives and medium olives, and the final weeks of the trout season in early October can produce excellent fishing as cooling temperatures push fish into an aggressive pre-spawning feed. The beat is fly-only — dry fly and nymph — and is sold as a one- or two-rod day. The season runs 29 April to 14 October, priced at £260 for a standard day and £320 during the mayfly window. A fishing hut with toilet facilities is on site, and accommodation is available on the estate for those planning an overnight stay. Anglers should disinfect boots and nets at the fishing HQ before heading to the beat, in line with the estate's biosecurity requirements.
Leckford Beat 4
Beat 4 occupies the left-hand bank of the main River Test on the Leckford Estate, situated on the middle Test north of Stockbridge in Hampshire. The Test travels through almost a thousand acres of water meadows here, and this stretch reflects that character well — a broad, moderately paced chalk stream with deep, sweeping bends and a reputation for holding fish consistently through the season. The beat fishes opposite Beat 3 and is sold on a one-to-two rod basis, keeping the water uncrowded and the experience genuinely quiet. The River Test's clear, nutrient-rich chalk stream waters provide the perfect home for brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling, and all three are present on Beat 4. The deep water at some parts of the beat is particularly well regarded on the estate for sheltering specimen brown trout, while the beat also carries a notable population of large grayling — a bonus for anglers fishing into autumn. The season runs from late April to mid-October, with the mayfly hatch typically arriving from mid-May to early June, reflected in the beat's premium Mayfly pricing of £320 (standard days £260). April fishing is best matched with Large Dark Olive, Grannom Caddis, and Hawthorn patterns, while June brings Blue-Winged Olive and Medium Olive hatches to keep dry fly fishing productive well into summer. The beat suits beginners and returning anglers alike — bank-only fishing removes the complexity of wading, and moderate stocking means fish are present without the water feeling artificial. A fishing hut, toilets, and on-site accommodation are available, making Beat 4 a practical choice for a full day or an overnight trip. A 9-foot rod in a 4- or 5-weight is well suited to the main river glides; carry both dry fly and nymph options, as the chalk stream's water quality produces extensive aquatic life including mayfly, olives, and shrimp, meaning trout can grow fat on natural food and will switch between surface and sub-surface feeding depending on conditions.
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