Lying in the heart of Test Valley midway between Andover and Romsey is the tranquil town of Stockbridge, well-known for being one of the smallest towns in the United Kingdom and famed for its excellent fly-fishing, here you’ll find the oldest fishing club in England, Houghton Fishing Club. Set within rolling hills and tranquil beauty it is hard to believe that the town was once branded a ‘rotten borough’ as it was known in the 1700s; an abundance of picturesque Hampshire villages can also be found not far from Stockbridge with their pretty churches and traditional country pubs as well as the magnificent Test Way. Poetry lovers will also be impressed to know that the beauty of Stockbridge has inspired many writers, there is also a poetry trail of ten poems, set in stone, metal, and glass that are peppered throughout the town centre. The splendid gardens at Mottisfont Abbey, Houghton Lodge and Longstock Water Gardens are all accessible from here too, perfect for a family day out.
