Overview
The Hampshire Avon is one of southern England’s most celebrated fishing rivers, flowing through some of the country’s most beautiful countryside before reaching Christchurch Harbour.
For anglers, the Hampshire Avon offers an exceptional variety of fishing. The upper river is renowned for its clear water, wild brown trout and famous grayling fishing, while further downstream the river develops into one of England’s most celebrated coarse fisheries, with specimen barbel, chub, roach, dace, pike and other coarse species providing excellent sport.
The river has a remarkable angling heritage. The famous Royalty Fishery at Christchurch has produced record-breaking barbel and chub over the years and remains one of the country’s best-known mixed coarse fishing venues. The Hampshire Avon continues to attract anglers looking for quality barbel and chub, traditional roach and dace fishing and specimen pike.
For fly anglers, the Hampshire Avon is equally famous. Its clear, fertile water and abundant aquatic life provide outstanding opportunities for brown trout and grayling, with the river’s classic chalk-stream character making it a bucket-list destination for many traditional fly fishermen.
Away from the fishing, the Hampshire Avon Valley provides an excellent combination of countryside, historic towns, villages and attractions. Salisbury, Fordingbridge and Ringwood are all within the valley, while the New Forest and Dorset coast are easily accessible from the lower Avon.
At Christchurch, the river opens into a productive estuarine environment where anglers can enjoy both boat and bank fishing. Mullet and other estuarine species can be targeted in the harbour and tidal waters, while heading towards the shoreline opens up another style of fishing, with bass among the species that can be targeted from the coast.
Whether you’re planning a dedicated fly-fishing trip, a specimen barbel campaign, a traditional coarse fishing break or a holiday where fishing is just one part of the experience, the Hampshire Avon is an exceptional destination.
Accommodation
Browse our Hampshire Avon Valley accommodation and find the perfect base for your next fishing getaway.
Some of southern England’s most famous river fishing, beautiful countryside, and historic towns — all in one destination.
Quay Corner, Dorset - Hampshire Avon Valley
From £2,326 / week
Criddlestyle Cottage - Hampshire Avon Valley
From £1092 / week
20% OFF
Mews Hill - Hampshire Avon Valley
From £1968 / week
20% OFF
Angling
What's on offer
The Hampshire Avon offers an exceptional variety of angling, from some of southern England’s most famous fly fishing to superb traditional and specimen coarse fishing.
The upper river is renowned for its clear water, wild brown trout and excellent grayling fishing. The river’s rich aquatic life and classic chalk-stream character make it a destination for anglers looking for traditional fly fishing, with both day-ticket and more exclusive private beats available.
Further downstream, the Avon develops into a superb coarse fishery. It has a long and distinguished history of producing specimen barbel and chub, while roach, dace, pike, perch and bream provide excellent sport across different stretches.
For anglers who enjoy traditional river fishing, the Avon offers plenty of opportunities for trotting and float fishing, while specialist anglers can target barbel, chub and pike in the river’s deeper and faster water.
The famous Royalty Fishery at Christchurch is one of the best-known names on the river. Steeped in angling history and renowned for its specimen barbel and chub, the Royalty has helped establish the Hampshire Avon as one of Britain’s most famous coarse fishing rivers.
At the lower end of the river, the fishing changes again as the Avon reaches Christchurch Harbour. The estuary offers opportunities for both boat and bank fishing for a mixture of coarse and estuarine species, including mullet.
Head towards the shoreline and the surrounding coast provides another opportunity, with bass among the species that can be targeted from the shore.
This variety makes the Hampshire Avon particularly attractive for a fishing holiday. You can fish for trout and grayling on the upper river, target specimen coarse fish further downstream, explore the estuary around Christchurch or head to the coast for a completely different day’s fishing.
Angling
Where and how to get fishing
For the visiting angler, there is a mixture of day-ticket beats, club waters, private fisheries and syndicate fishing available along the Hampshire Avon.
Access varies considerably depending on the stretch, particularly on the famous fly-fishing water upstream of Salisbury. Some beats offer day rods that can be booked in advance, while other stretches are controlled by clubs or private owners.
Fly fishing
There are a number of day-ticket fly-fishing opportunities on the upper Avon, giving visiting anglers the chance to experience some of the river’s famous trout and grayling fishing without needing to join a local club or syndicate.
FishingBeats provides a useful overview of the Hampshire Avon beats, with individual listings covering the available fishing, access, seasons and booking arrangements.
Explore the Hampshire Avon fly-fishing beats on “FishingBeats – Hampshire Avon fly-fishing beats”
Their current guide includes six Hampshire Avon beats, with day-ticket and permit options available on different stretches of the upper river. (FishingBeats)
Coarse fishing
For coarse anglers, there is a mixture of club waters, private fisheries and day-ticket opportunities on the middle and lower Avon.
The Royalty Fishery at Christchurch is perhaps the most famous name, but it is far from the only option. Other stretches around Salisbury, Fordingbridge, Ringwood and Christchurch provide opportunities for anglers targeting barbel, chub, roach, dace, pike and other coarse species.
The exact availability of day tickets varies between fisheries, so it is worth checking individual clubs and fishery operators before travelling.
Club waters
A number of angling clubs have fishing rights on stretches of the Hampshire Avon and its surrounding waters.
Club fishing can provide access to some excellent river stretches, although joining requirements, waiting lists and ticket arrangements vary.
Anglers planning a longer stay or several trips to the area may find club membership particularly worthwhile.
Christchurch and the estuary
The lower Avon around Christchurch provides a completely different style of fishing.
The estuary can be explored by boat or from the bank, with opportunities for species such as mullet and other estuarine fish.
The surrounding coastline then opens up further possibilities, including shore fishing for bass.
This makes Christchurch an excellent base for anglers who want to combine river, estuary and coastal fishing during the same stay.
Angling
Tackle and Guiding
Local knowledge can make a big difference when fishing the Hampshire Avon.
For fly anglers, local guides and beat keepers can provide valuable information on current river conditions, water levels and the best way to approach the river.
For coarse anglers, local tackle shops and angling clubs can be useful sources of information on river conditions, bait, access and which stretches are currently fishing well.
If you’re travelling specifically to fish the Avon, it is always worth contacting the fishery or club before your trip rather than relying on old information, as access and ticket arrangements can change.
Top 10 things to see and do
Other than fishing!
Here’s a list of some of our favourites:
Visit Salisbury Cathedral
One of England’s most impressive medieval cathedrals, Salisbury Cathedral is home to one of the best-preserved copies of Magna Carta.
Explore Salisbury
Spend time exploring Salisbury’s historic streets, independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants.
Visit Stonehenge
One of Britain’s most famous prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge is close to Salisbury and makes an obvious addition to any trip to the upper Avon.
Explore the New Forest
Head south towards the New Forest for miles of woodland, heathland, walking and cycling routes, wild ponies and traditional villages.
Visit Fordingbridge
Explore this attractive market town on the banks of the Avon, with its historic bridge, riverside setting and traditional pubs.
Discover Ringwood
Ringwood provides another excellent base for exploring the lower Avon, New Forest and surrounding countryside.
Walk beside the Avon
The river valley provides beautiful walking opportunities through meadows, villages and countryside.
For non-angling guests, a riverside walk can be a great way to enjoy the same landscape without picking up a fishing rod.
Head to the Dorset coast
The lower Avon is within easy reach of Christchurch, Bournemouth and the wider Dorset coast.
Spend the morning fishing and the afternoon on the beach — one of the attractions of choosing accommodation around the lower Avon.
Explore the surrounding villages
The countryside around the Avon is packed with attractive villages, traditional pubs and historic buildings.
Take a drive through the valley and stop for lunch or an afternoon walk.
Enjoy a country pub
After a day on the river, there are few better ways to finish than with good food and a drink in one of the many traditional pubs around the Avon valley.
