You’re all but 100 metres from the languid clear waters of the famous river Test so it is no surprise that the Peat Spade attracts fly fishing guests from all over the world. A quick walk from your front door takes you down to the water’s edge where you can watch large trout weaving between the weeds and bright sparkling gravels. There are many famous beats within a stone’s throw of Longstock, and two well equipped fishing tackle shops in Stockbridge rammed to the hilt with all the chalk stream essentials, so the Peat Spade is the perfect place to stay whether you are just pootling around for the day, fishing for a weekend, or need a basecamp for a weeklong trip. The pub will even cook your catch! Now that deserves 5 stars.                  

The Peat Spade is uniquely positioned in sleepy Longstock, where a 2 minute drive south will take you to the fly fishing capital of Stockbridge, and a 2 minute walk east leads over the water meadows of the main river Test and myriad chalk stream carriers. Just a few paces down the lane is the famous Leckford Eel Trap, immortalised by many great photographers and framed by blue skies, sweeping reed beds and burbling waters as it bridges the main river. You are just outside the hustle and bustle of the market town, but you can easily tie in a visit to Stockbridge with a countryside walk, and there are some great coffee houses, delis, and restaurants at which to refuel. Gorgeous circular loops and riverside walks include the Test Way, and the National Trust’s Stockbridge Down and Stockbridge Common Marsh, so there are lots of places to sit and watch the swans. Just over the hill, Danebury Iron Age Hillfort is the local heritage attraction, and Longstock Café and Water Gardens is a day out on its own! The area’s known for its shooting too, if that takes your fancy. Only 30 minutes east is medieval Winchester, west, the cathedral city of Salisbury, and beyond that Stonehenge with nothing in between but the vast rolling hills of rural Hampshire.

Unpretentious with bubbly and welcoming staff, the atmosphere is always relaxed, just what you would expect from a sleepy thatched fishing village. Inside, there are hardwood floors, low oak beams, and wood-panelled walls adorned with fishing memorabilia, and hung with paintings celebrating local history and fly fishing heritage. The rooms are uniquely rustic and furnished to lean into that chic country appeal. There’s a fully-equipped bar serving all the best local brewers and astragal windows let plenty of natural light into well-spaced adjoining dining spaces. Out back, a large terrace has an outdoor oven with sheltered seating which makes for a cosy space for a group of friends.

There are nine cosy, tastefully decorated and comfortably furnished bedrooms at the Peat Spade. The Churchill, a generous double, has views over beautiful red brick homes and thatched rooves, beyond that water meadows and the river Test! There are tea and coffee making facilities including homemade biscuits (bonus points!), spacious ensuites with large modern showers, and deep standalone bathtubs. Service is always friendly and efficient and the staff are very accommodating of the many various needs of their guests.

These clever pub people have created a special package for overnight stays in bedrooms that have been designated as dog-friendly. The ‘paw-fect pet stays’ package comes complete with your own doggy bed, blanket, bowl and a welcome box of tasty treats. Up to a maximum of two dogs per room for £20 per pet, per night.

The menus at the Peat Spade are really something special. The emphasis is on fresh locally sourced produce, including fish and game from the nearby Leckford Estate, ale-battered haddock and chunky chips, a proper burger, and steaks with Dukesmoor Beef which is aged for 35 days in a chamber containing 8 tonnes of Himalayan Salt Bricks.  Nibbles are Padron peppers or devilled whitebait, while starters include chalk stream trout and cucumber tartare, smoked chicken and ham terrine, or pan fried baby squid (our favourite!). Need a little more on the side? Try the garlic field mushrooms, truffle and parmesan fries, and buttered seasonal veg. Veggie options are gnocci with a triple cheese sauce, and the plant burger with skinny fries and house pickles. This is not fine dining. This is good, nay, great honest pub food.

The damage really isn’t too bad! In fact we think its super value with starters circa £8, mains £18, and puds around £7 (ish!). If you’re sleeping over, top-notch bed and breakfast doubles start from £120.