Along a stretch of the River Test in Hampshire, something new is taking shape. We’re developing the Chalk Stream Experience , an ambitious and exciting partnership between Wessex Rivers Trust and the National Trust at Mottisfont. This year has been an opportunity to test ideas, refine our approach, and demonstrate how restoration, recreation, and community engagement can work hand in hand.
Together, we’re working to restore these iconic waters and create meaningful access for the public. Combining habitat recovery, outdoor recreation, and community wellbeing in one beautiful place.
Over 85% of the world’s chalk streams are found in England, with the Test and its tributaries among the most celebrated. But these crystal-clear rivers face serious pressure from abstraction, pollution, and historic modification.
Restoring a rare habitat
The work begins in the water.
In partnership with the National Trust and local landowners, Wessex Rivers Trust has been undertaking a programme of physical river restoration, narrowing and re-meandering the channel and adding woody debris. Together we’ve already improved more than a kilometre of river on the estate, with plans in place for more projects over the coming years.
Our physical restoration projects go hand in hand with the National Trust’s day-to-day management of the river. They’ve implemented a ‘hands off’ approach, allowing natural processes to take place allowing the river and it’s surroundings to flourish.This work supports not only wildlife but also improves the river for responsible access and enjoyment.
Affordable wild fishing
One of the most distinctive features of the Chalk Stream Experience is its commitment to making wild fishing on the River Test affordable and accessible. This initiative opens the door for people who might not otherwise have the chance to fly fish on the river Test, offering them the opportunity to cast into a wild chalk stream for truly wild fish. By creating a low-cost model, we’ve ensured that this rare and special experience is within reach for ordinary families, allowing more people to connect with the river.
Beyond fishing: wellbeing and connection
But fishing is just one part of the picture. The Chalk Stream Experience is designed to connect people to this place in many different ways. In August, we launched a series of Wild Pilates sessions on the riverbank—a mindful movement class that combines physical health with a deep connection to nature. Led by the brilliant Sandie Wills, these sessions took place in an idyllic setting beside the flowing water. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants describing a “magical atmosphere” and a sense of calm they hadn’t found elsewhere.
As the project develops, we’ll be introducing more opportunities to explore the river: nature walks, citizen science surveys, education sessions for schools, and seasonal events. It’s all part of our vision to make this stretch of the River Test a shared, restorative space for both people and nature.
A shared future for the Test
The Chalk Stream Experience is still in its early days, but even in this pilot year, it already shows what’s possible when restoration, recreation, and community come together. By investing in river recovery, we’re helping the Test flow cleaner and stronger. By creating inclusive access for fishing and wellbeing, we’re helping people feel part of this river again.
Together with the National Trust, our long-term goal is to create a living demonstration of how chalk streams can thrive in the 21st century, with local communities at the heart of their future.
