The White Hart is a lovely 16th century coaching inn, perfectly poised at the entrance to Stockbridge high street. Inside, old rustic industrial features, such as low oak beams and a red-brick bar, are complemented with modern country house décor making the White Hart homely and welcoming in every measure. The food is a real highlight, with a menu of cockle-warmers and timeless pub classics washed down by a selection of local ales on draught. String all that together with world class trout fishing on your doorstep and you’ve got a recipe for a very special trip, be it a weekend city break or a once-in-a-lifetime fly fishing adventure.
The River Test is a 10 minute frolic along Stockbridge high street, and it’s quite the baptism of fire. First, you have to try crossing 5 or more carrier streams without peaking over a bridge and spotting a trout. I maintain it cannot be done! Then simply amble by two famous fly fishing pubs; the Grosvenor, and the Greyhound on the Test without falling victim to a bowl of triple cooked chips and a pint of local ale. Finally, drag yourself past the fully stocked shop windows of Orvis and Robjents, two fantastic fly tackle shops that are rammed to the hilt with all the chalkstream fly fishing accessories you probably don’t need. I know it’s mightily distracting, but fly fishing is all around you in Stockbridge. There are many famous beats of the river Test within a 10 minute drive; you can get to the River Itchen in 30 minutes, the River Avon in 35, and beyond that await the untapped streams of Dorset and Wiltshire. The chalkstreams are your oyster!
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