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!
The White Hart proudly guards the eastern end of Stockbridge, the market town and fly fishing village at the heart of the famous Test valley. You can walk into Stockbridge within 2 minutes, where you will find a whole host of boutiques, artisans and restaurants, or take a riverside walk along the Test Way and stop for a cream tea at Longstock Water Gardens. Local heritage attractions are the archaic Mottisfont Abbey and Danebury Iron Age Hillfort, or even Salisbury Cathedral and Stone Henge further afield.
Transport is ultra convenient, with private off street parking, and you can get in and out of the busy Stockbridge high street with relative ease. The only snag is the busy main road and roundabout that connects Stockbridge with Winchester, Romsey, and Salisbury in all directions, but it is for this very reason that the White Hart is our pick for guests that want to get on the river quickly, without any fuss! Eat, Fish, Sleep, Repeat.
Welcoming guests since all the way back in the 16th century, this pretty little pub stays true to its heritage, with exposed red brick work and wood panelled walls that lean into the country house appeal, and low oak beams that instil a newfound sense of awareness for one’s cranium. That is always the measure of a proper pub, do you have to duck to place an order at the bar? Fishing and sporting memorabilia adorn every wall and speak volumes of the rich fly fishing history of Stockbridge and the River Test. Hardwood floors and solid wooden furniture add to the rustic feel of the bar and dining areas, and upstairs cosy rooms are warm and welcoming like that of an old thatched cottage.
There are 24 rooms above The White Hart, and in the outbuildings surrounding  the car park. Each are tastefully decorated with country house décor that chimes with the overall feel of the place. Walls are hung with more nods to the local fishing and sporting heritage, and all have hardwood floors, and a generous bathroom with large showers. Perhaps the only subtraction is that the windows overlook a busy roundabout and carparking area. Service is always quick and staff are charming and courteous in equal measure.
Like with many of the Stockbridge pubs the focus tends to be on fresh, seasonal, local produce. Menus include nibbles and sharers, such as avocado and red chilli salsa bruschetta, or gambas al ajillo. Mains follow up with panfried seabream, or courgette and crab linguine, plus all our favourite pub classics; steak and mushroom pie, roasted lamb rump, a good burger and of course a fish and chips. If you’ve got room for puds, you can round off with Eton mess, a chocolate brownie, or a selection of locally made ice creams. Breakfast is a healthy spread of muesli bowls, fruit and pastries, or for something hot a good old faithful English breakfast. The best drinks are locally brewed ales on draught, artisan gins distilled in the pristine headwaters of the River Test, and wines of Hampshire’s very own vineyards.
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!
The White Hart proudly guards the eastern end of Stockbridge, the market town and fly fishing village at the heart of the famous Test valley. You can walk into Stockbridge within 2 minutes, where you will find a whole host of boutiques, artisans and restaurants, or take a riverside walk along the Test Way and stop for a cream tea at Longstock Water Gardens. Local heritage attractions are the archaic Mottisfont Abbey and Danebury Iron Age Hillfort, or even Salisbury Cathedral and Stone Henge further afield.
Transport is ultra convenient, with private off street parking, and you can get in and out of the busy Stockbridge high street with relative ease. The only snag is the busy main road and roundabout that connects Stockbridge with Winchester, Romsey, and Salisbury in all directions, but it is for this very reason that the White Hart is our pick for guests that want to get on the river quickly, without any fuss! Eat, Fish, Sleep, Repeat.
Welcoming guests since all the way back in the 16th century, this pretty little pub stays true to its heritage, with exposed red brick work and wood panelled walls that lean into the country house appeal, and low oak beams that instil a newfound sense of awareness for one’s cranium. That is always the measure of a proper pub, do you have to duck to place an order at the bar? Fishing and sporting memorabilia adorn every wall and speak volumes of the rich fly fishing history of Stockbridge and the River Test. Hardwood floors and solid wooden furniture add to the rustic feel of the bar and dining areas, and upstairs cosy rooms are warm and welcoming like that of an old thatched cottage.
There are 24 rooms above The White Hart, and in the outbuildings surrounding  the car park. Each are tastefully decorated with country house décor that chimes with the overall feel of the place. Walls are hung with more nods to the local fishing and sporting heritage, and all have hardwood floors, and a generous bathroom with large showers. Perhaps the only subtraction is that the windows overlook a busy roundabout and carparking area. Service is always quick and staff are charming and courteous in equal measure.
Like with many of the Stockbridge pubs the focus tends to be on fresh, seasonal, local produce. Menus include nibbles and sharers, such as avocado and red chilli salsa bruschetta, or gambas al ajillo. Mains follow up with panfried seabream, or courgette and crab linguine, plus all our favourite pub classics; steak and mushroom pie, roasted lamb rump, a good burger and of course a fish and chips. If you’ve got room for puds, you can round off with Eton mess, a chocolate brownie, or a selection of locally made ice creams. Breakfast is a healthy spread of muesli bowls, fruit and pastries, or for something hot a good old faithful English breakfast. The best drinks are locally brewed ales on draught, artisan gins distilled in the pristine headwaters of the River Test, and wines of Hampshire’s very own vineyards.
Bed and Breakfast doubles start at £146, Starters; £6.75, and Mains; £18.
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