The Fork and Feather is our good food guide for the travelling fly fisher, with all the best hotels, pubs, and inns within a stone’s throw of fantastic fly fishing. It’s also a great way to unearth those little-known untapped local gems including all the must-visit Heritage Attractions, Local Artisans, Food & Drink, and Things To Do, so you don’t miss out on anything during your trip.
We review all our favourite establishments following a rigid set of criteria that can be summarised by; Location, Character & Style, Rooms & Service, Food & Drink, Value, and perhaps most importantly, The Fishing. Every category is attributed a rating out of 5 stars each contributing to the overall score. We also show you how the costs compare to other places across the guide.
The 5/5 rating system is simple. We only consider the very best hotels, pubs, and inns for the guide, so a place in the Fork and Feather is a glowing accolade in itself, but the highest achievers in their field will consistently score three stars or more across the board. The highly sought-after five star rating is an amalgamation of perfect scores in every category, including ‘The Fishing’ which is why it is almost unattainable, even to the highest rated hotels and restaurants anywhere in the world.
Perhaps the thing that sets us furthest apart from other guides, is our commitment to every guest so please, don’t just take our word for it, get in touch anytime and get our recommendations straight from the horse’s mouth. We have personally visited every establishment on the guide, and our testimonials are born out of firsthand experiences, so you can be sure you have our trusted, firsthand account of everything fundamental to a flawless fly fishing adventure.
A measure of closeness to fantastic fishing locations and kinship with the fishing community.
Many hotels, pubs, inns, and bed and breakfasts recommended in the Fork and Feather already have strong ties with the fishing community. Some can arrange fishing for you, and some have access to a private river. Some will even cook your catch! The higher our rating, the closer you will find yourself to fantastic fishing locations.
Accessibility to riverside walks, local heritage attractions, and areas of outstanding natural beauty, weighed up with overall convenience and ease of transportation.
The best locations are usually far enough from the hustle and bustle of city life that a bliss countryside walk is only 5 minutes around the corner, but close enough to civilization that accessibility and transport is a breeze.
Uniqueness, charm, and atmosphere, combined with architectural brilliance, historic value, and sporting heritage.
Character and style are always the conversation starter at the dinner table, so it is a mainstay in our testimonials. We look for warmth, ambience, and interior décor. That is why all the Wilde Trout favourites have low oak beams and old stone fireplaces.
Comfort, cleanliness and overall quality of rooms, combined with helpfulness and professionalism of staff and service.
The best rooms are cosy, tastefully decorated and have a generously sized bed with a well-equipped bathroom, because there is nothing worse than a low-pressure cold shower! Good service is everywhere. Great service is invaluable.
Variety and visual appeal of the menus, the quality of ingredients and overall presentation of dishes, combined with the choice of local tipples.
The best pub menus are a tapestry of locally sourced ingredients, so sustainable produce and a healthy array of local beers, wines, and spirits, are right at the top of our hitlist.
Our readiness to part with hard earned cash considering the overall experience.
Value for money is so important! Our rating will give you an idea of how much you are likely to spend, and where this establishment ranks in the Fork and Feather price guide.
We only consider the very best hotels, pubs, and inns for the guide, so a place in the Fork and Feather alone is a glowing accolade. We are constantly endeavoring to expand the guide by visiting new places ourselves and taking direct quotes and feedback from our loyal readership.
A combination of good food, friendly service, and a warm atmosphere. Menus will exhibit an array of high quality ingredients and locally sourced produce. These establishments will be some of the best in the area and will often have some good fishing opportunities nearby.
Ambitious and unique. These are the places that pay attention to the smallest detail, be it a carefully cooked and colourful lunch dish or just excellent service in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Dishes will showcase locally sourced or homegrown produce, with fine locally made beers, wines and spirits to wash it down. These will be the best places to eat and stay in the locality, and will have some great fishing opportunities nearby.
A very high level culinary experience, this is bucket list stuff. The establishment will be operating at a very high level, with a first class kitchen and faultless service. Exceptional fishing experiences are probably on your very doorstep. These are some of the best places to eat and stay in the country.
These are the very best establishments in their field, offering an astonishing culinary or accommodation experience that can only be rivalled by the work of the extraordinary few, plus access to some of the finest fishing anywhere in the world. Remember that proximity to fishing holds a pivotal stake in the overall rating, meaning that even the very best, most luxurious hotels cannot score this highly. This is the most highly sought-after, gold-plated rating in the guide. It is almost unattainable but, there is always a first!
These are the best places for a quick bite to eat, or a short overnight stay, when you want to count the pennies and let the pounds look after themselves.
Good value. These tend be those hotels and pubs that are competitively priced compared to others in the locality. They will be serving good food, with quality rooms and provide an overall experience that leaves you walking away happy in the knowledge that you got what you paid for.
Excellent value. Now we’re in the realms of the upper middle price bracket, and the quality of the experience; the food, the service, the rooms, and the access to great fishing reflects that. This is where many of the Wilde Trout favourites proudly belong.
Most expensive. This is undoubtedly going to be an extraordinary experience. You should expect a very high standard of service, ambitious menus with quality ingredients and first class accomodation. These are the places you reserve for those really special occasions, like that once in a lifetime chalkstream adventure.
We only consider the very best hotels, pubs, and inns for the guide, so a place in the Fork and Feather alone is a glowing accolade. We are constantly endeavoring to expand the guide by visiting new places ourselves and taking direct quotes and feedback from our loyal readership.
A combination of good food, friendly service, and a warm atmosphere. Menus will exhibit an array of high quality ingredients and locally sourced produce. These establishments will be some of the best in the area and will often have some good fishing opportunities nearby.
Ambitious and unique. These are the places that pay attention to the smallest detail, be it a carefully cooked and colourful lunch dish or just excellent service in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Dishes will showcase locally sourced or homegrown produce, with fine locally made beers, wines and spirits to wash it down. These will be the best places to eat and stay in the locality, and will have some great fishing opportunities nearby.
A very high level culinary experience, this is bucket list stuff. The establishment will be operating at a very high level, with a first class kitchen and faultless service. Exceptional fishing experiences are probably on your very doorstep. These are some of the best places to eat and stay in the country.
These are the very best establishments in their field, offering an astonishing culinary or accommodation experience that can only be rivalled by the work of the extraordinary few, plus access to some of the finest fishing anywhere in the world. Remember that proximity to fishing holds a pivotal stake in the overall rating, meaning that even the very best, most luxurious hotels cannot score this highly. This is the most highly sought-after, gold-plated rating in the guide. It is almost unattainable but, there is always a first!
Least expensive. These are the best places for a quick bite to eat, or a short overnight stay, when you want to count the pennies and let the pounds look after themselves.
Good value. These tend be those hotels and pubs that are competitively priced compared to others in the locality. They will be serving good food, with quality rooms and provide an overall experience that leaves you walking away happy in the knowledge that you got what you paid for.
Excellent value. Now we’re in the realms of the upper middle price bracket, and the quality of the experience; the food, the service, the rooms, and the access to great fishing reflects that. This is where many of the Wilde Trout favourites proudly belong.
Most expensive. This is undoubtedly going to be an extraordinary experience. You should expect a very high standard of service, ambitious menus with quality ingredients and first class accomodation. These are the places you reserve for those really special occasions, like that once in a lifetime chalkstream adventure.
Planning a once in a lifetime fishing trip is no mean feat. We know there is a lot to cram in and we wouldn’t want you to miss anything, so we have compiled all the bucket list items you can’t go home without.
As you explore the Fork and Feather, we will make suggestions on all the best Things to Do, Heritage Attractions, Food and Drink, and Local Artisans within the locality of every Hotel, Pub, Inn or Bed and Breakfast on the guide. We cover everything from wine tasting and gin distillery, to countryside walks and Stonehenge.
The chalkstreams are undoubtedly some of the most highly revered fly fishing rivers in the world. There are a little over 200 chalk rivers in the world, and in the UK we have 85% of them!
As you read through the Fork and Feather, you will notice we have not only rated the establishments based on their proximity to great fishing, we have also included a shortlist of all the nearest chalkstreams. Some are just under 1 mile from the famous River Test, others a stone’s throw from the River Itchen, but all have fantastic fly fishing within a reasonable driving distance of your bedroom window.
If you know where you would like to fish, but you are not sure where to stay, or indeed vice versa, the Fork and Feather will do the hard work for you.
The chalkstreams are undoubtedly some of the most highly revered fly fishing rivers in the world. There are a little over 200 chalk rivers in the world, and in the UK we have 85% of them!
As you read through the Fork and Feather, you will notice we have not only rated the establishments based on their proximity to great fishing, we have also included a shortlist of all the nearest chalkstreams. Some are just under 1 mile from the famous River Test, others a stone’s throw from the River Itchen, but all have fantastic fly fishing within a reasonable driving distance of your bedroom window.
If you know where you would like to fish, but you are not sure where to stay, or indeed vice versa, the Fork and Feather will do the hard work for you.
Some pubs allow dogs, some do not! That’s why we have listed all the amenities available at every single establishment in the Fork and Feather guide, and if bringing your pet is important to you, you can filter your search by any amenity so you know exactly where you can and can’t go. We’ve summarized them all here so you know what to look for.
Wifi
Connectivity
Beer Garden
Dogs Welcome
Fishing
Parking
EV Charging
Pub Garden
Breakfast
Concierge
Family Friendly
Food and Drink
Golf Course
Gym
Lounge
Meeting Room
Non-smoking
Restaurant
Room Service
Spa
Swimming Pool
Tennis Court
Log Fire
We are always delighted to hear the feedback of our readership, so if you have visited any of the places on the Fork and Feather guide, or you have a recommendation for somewhere new, please don’t hold back. Tell us what you think!
We have visited every one of our establishments before considering them for the Fork and Feather guide, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch for our trusted, firsthand review. You can call or email, pop us a WhatsApp message, or jot down your thoughts on the enquiry form and we will get back to you at the earliest possible convenience.
