Wherwell Priory is one of the most idyllic country estates in Hampshire’s famous River Test valley, where the river flows through a tranquil parkland setting.

The resident river keeper, Terry Snellgrove has been on the River Test for close to forty years and takes great pride to maintain the beats of the clear, flowing river and bright gravel beds from which trout and fly life thrive.

The fishing comprises just over 1½ miles of double bank river, divided into two beats named The Park and The Priory. All of the fishing is from the bank, though there are some short sections which can be waded. Each beat has a comfortable fishing cabin and is suitable for up to three rods, or you can combine both beats for a larger party.

The Park Beat 

There is a great variety of fishing on this very long beat, double bank along its entire length with the right bank prepared for easy bank fishing. Start from the bottom where the river is not deep, but wide and fast. You are overlooked by the village houses on the opposite bank but they have no fishing rights. 

At The Mill there is a deep, turbulent hatch pool and beyond that is the garden section that is only fished by wading. Above Church Lane you return to your fishing hut, a quaint little wooden hut right beside the river under the shade of a chestnut tree. 

Cross to the island for the best pool on the beat. Above is a lovely section that is deep and fast, shaded by the woods on the opposite bank to take you to the end of the beat.

The Priory Beat

The beat itself is the same length as Park, again double bank the whole way but without any houses and fished from a combination of left and right bank, plus a wading section. Start from the downstream end with fast, deep runs that in turn become a shaded glide up to the productive double hatch pool. 

Above the hatches is a long straight section that is really good for sight casting to the holding fish. The final section is again shaded by the opposite bank trees and is perfect to fish from the bank or wading.

Priory and Park Beats

Day rods 

April 27-May 12

£276 per Rod

May 13-June 7(min 3 rods)

£374 per Rod

June 8-July 31 

£276 per Rod

August 1-October 14

£237 per Rod