The Greyhound on the Test is the preeminent fly fishing pub in Stockbridge, boasting a beer garden that backs onto their very own private beat of the river Test. Throughout the high season it is a firm favourite with all the local fishing guides, who grab a coffee and croissant for breakfast, and sometimes lunch to go, before a long day on the river. With cosy rooms right on the high street this exceptional gastropub combines tastefully furnished, boutique accommodation in central Stockbridge, with some of the finest chalk stream fly fishing anywhere in the world. The Greyhound has been voted Michelin pub of the year, best sporting pub in southern England and, quite deservedly, the best fishing pub in Britain!
The Greyhound comes about as close to the riverbank as a pub can get, with their very own private beat of the river Test running beside the beer garden. You could almost make a roll cast with a pint in hand. Stockbridge is divided by 5 or more carrier streams, each brimming with large trout, and the main river Test meanders past at the western end of the village, so you do not need to walk far to find a rising fish. When you stay at the Greyhound, there are many prime beats of the river Test within a stone’s throw of your bedroom window, but more than that, fly fishing is all around you. The constant hive of fly fishers, fishing guides and river keepers is ubiquitous and enthralling.
Just 30 minutes west of Winchester, Stockbridge is a buzzing fly fishing village at the heart of the Test valley, and the Greyhound on the Test is perfectly placed on the high street at the confluence between the main river test and an adjacent carrier stream. Although the village is only a short walk from one end to the other, you are rather spoilt for choice with plenty of boutiques, artisans, coffee houses, tea rooms, restaurants, eateries and art galleries to explore. Local heritage attractions include Danebury Hillfort and Mottisfont Abbey, while Longstock Water Gardens or the Houghton Tea Room make a nice break away from the river. A further 30 minutes west is the cathedral city of Salisbury, and beyond that, Stonehenge, with nothing in between but the rolling hills of rural Hampshire.
Ticking every box for character and style, the Greyhound oozes character with low oak ceiling beams, exposed brickwork, navy upholstery, and a lovely wood burning stove. Wood-panelled walls are adorned with paintings and artefacts depicting local folklore and the rich fishing heritage. Out back there is a gorgeous sun dappled beer garden where you can sit and watch the swans as the river burbles by. Beyond the teepee, the private Greyhound beat escapes upstream into the water meadows, away from the hustle a bustle of Stockbridge, where some truly large and elusive trout reside.
There are 10 cosy rooms at the Greyhound, seven above the pub itself, and a further three in the adjoining cottage. All are beautifully furnished, some with roll-top bath tubs and others with walk-in showers. One of the cottage rooms even has a private courtyard so it is perfect for dog lovers. The service is always friendly, with a team of bubbly front of house staff.
Breakfast is a fabulous assortment of fresh breads and pastries, fruits and yoghurts with hot dishes like smoked river Test trout with scrambled egg or Stockbridge wild mushrooms. For lunch there are some scrumptious sandwiches, and in the high season there is The Tent, in the beer garden overlooking the river, which serves up delicious wood-fired pizzas and a good burger. Dinner starts with soup of the day, sometimes sweet potato or chalk stream grown watercress. Mains are grilled plaice or smoked chicken and ham hock terrine. Our pick for pudding is the strawberry panna cotta with white chocolate, meringue and olive oil. The drinks menu features the fine work of the River Test Gin Distillery and local Hampshire vineyards.
The Greyhound on the Test is the preeminent fly fishing pub in Stockbridge, boasting a beer garden that backs onto their very own private beat of the river Test. Throughout the high season it is a firm favourite with all the local fishing guides, who grab a coffee and croissant for breakfast, and sometimes lunch to go, before a long day on the river. With cosy rooms right on the high street this exceptional gastropub combines tastefully furnished, boutique accommodation in central Stockbridge, with some of the finest chalk stream fly fishing anywhere in the world. The Greyhound has been voted Michelin pub of the year, best sporting pub in southern England and, quite deservedly, the best fishing pub in Britain!
The Greyhound comes about as close to the riverbank as a pub can get, with their very own private beat of the river Test running beside the beer garden. You could almost make a roll cast with a pint in hand. Stockbridge is divided by 5 or more carrier streams, each brimming with large trout, and the main river Test meanders past at the western end of the village, so you do not need to walk far to find a rising fish. When you stay at the Greyhound, there are many prime beats of the river Test within a stone’s throw of your bedroom window, but more than that, fly fishing is all around you. The constant hive of fly fishers, fishing guides and river keepers is ubiquitous and enthralling.
Just 30 minutes west of Winchester, Stockbridge is a buzzing fly fishing village at the heart of the Test valley, and the Greyhound on the Test is perfectly placed on the high street at the confluence between the main river test and an adjacent carrier stream. Although the village is only a short walk from one end to the other, you are rather spoilt for choice with plenty of boutiques, artisans, coffee houses, tea rooms, restaurants, eateries and art galleries to explore. Local heritage attractions include Danebury Hillfort and Mottisfont Abbey, while Longstock Water Gardens or the Houghton Tea Room make a nice break away from the river. A further 30 minutes west is the cathedral city of Salisbury, and beyond that, Stonehenge, with nothing in between but the rolling hills of rural Hampshire.
Ticking every box for character and style, the Greyhound oozes character with low oak ceiling beams, exposed brickwork, navy upholstery, and a lovely wood burning stove. Wood-panelled walls are adorned with paintings and artefacts depicting local folklore and the rich fishing heritage. Out back there is a gorgeous sun dappled beer garden where you can sit and watch the swans as the river burbles by. Beyond the teepee, the private Greyhound beat escapes upstream into the water meadows, away from the hustle a bustle of Stockbridge, where some truly large and elusive trout reside.
There are 10 cosy rooms at the Greyhound, seven above the pub itself, and a further three in the adjoining cottage. All are beautifully furnished, some with roll-top bath tubs and others with walk-in showers. One of the cottage rooms even has a private courtyard so it is perfect for dog lovers. The service is always friendly, with a team of bubbly front of house staff.
Breakfast is a fabulous assortment of fresh breads and pastries, fruits and yoghurts with hot dishes like smoked river Test trout with scrambled egg or Stockbridge wild mushrooms. For lunch there are some scrumptious sandwiches, and in the high season there is The Tent, in the beer garden overlooking the river, which serves up delicious wood-fired pizzas and a good burger. Dinner starts with soup of the day, sometimes sweet potato or chalk stream grown watercress. Mains are grilled plaice or smoked chicken and ham hock terrine. Our pick for pudding is the strawberry panna cotta with white chocolate, meringue and olive oil. The drinks menu features the fine work of the River Test Gin Distillery and local Hampshire vineyards.
Bed and Breakfast doubles range from £171 in low season; and £225 in high.
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