Chalk stream Fishing
River Kennet
The River Kennet rises west of Avebury and travels eastwards through Marlborough and out of Wiltshire into Berkshire towards Newbury. The Kennet's principal tributaries are the River Lambourn, the River Enborne and the Foudry Brook. Though it is only 22 miles from the source to Newbury, there are more than 80 miles of fishable water due to the veritable maze of carriers created by the 18th-century water engineers.
In its heyday, between the wars, Kennet fishermen considered their river superior to the River Test and it is true that the Kennet around Kintbury gets a mayfly hatch as every bit as good and dense as the Test.
This Wiltshire/Berkshire river features heavily in fly fishing literature: Halford had a lease on a considerable length of water in the late 1800’s, John Waller Hills fished it regularly and often wrote about the native Kennet trout, known as the ‘greenback’, now a much sought-after rarity. Frank Sawyer, inventor of the Pheasant Tail Nymph, ran his summer school from the grounds of Marlbough College in the 1970s.
BENHAM ESTATE
since 2011
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The Benham Estate has by some considerable margin more chalkstream fishing that any other estate in the whole of Berkshire. The Park is a delightful mix of fishing with the larger main river, criss-crossed by a variety of carriers and side streams which all adds up to something in the region of five miles of water. The fishing is mostly from the bank, though on occasion you may be able to wade some of the small stream sections. There is an excellent head of wild fish supplemented by with regular stocking. The full-time river keeper Gary Allen will usually be on hand to greet you and there is a fishing cabin beside the river with parking immediately adjacent. |
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2m
2.1m
0.9m
| May 1 - May 15 |
£266 per Rod |
May 16 - June 14 |
£347 per Rod |
June 15 - July 31 |
£245 per Rod |
| August 1 - September 30 |
£212 per Rod |
1-4 Rods NB Thursdays are available on an exclusive basis for parties of 4 Rods or more when there will be no Season Rods.
Season Rod
Full Rod |
£2,765 |
Shared Rod |
£1,790 |
A Full Rod may fish on any day, except Thursdays, during the season being 1st May to 30th September inclusive. A Half Rod may fish on any one day only per week, except Thursdays, during the season being 1st May to 30th September inclusive.
LAMB'S STREAM NEW FOR 2026
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New for this season is the Lamb’s Stream, a private beat on the River Kennet that is offered to day rods for the first time. Part of the Benham Estate, the Lamb’s Stream has been rarely fished in recent years but now under the care of The Wilderness keeper Jimmy Hill, it is set to become a firm Fishing Breaks favourite. It is a long beat, with an easy fishing bank (we leave the far bank untended for wildlife and insect life), good pools and plenty of variety. This is a beat that is ideal for one or two single Rods or groups of two to four Rods. With exclusive use the fishing has a small shelter by the river with car parking close by, along with the Halfway House or Dundas Arms for lunch. |
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No. RODS |
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NEW FOR 2026 |
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| Prices from £175 per Rod |
For further details, please complete our enquiry form or e-mail info@fishingbreaks.co.uk
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