There's something so deliciously decadent about staying in a hotel close to home - the ultimate staycation if you like.

Our home for the night was to be The Duke on the Test as we'd always wanted to try a spot of fly fishing on the river, renowned around the world but all but unknown to many living close by.

I grew up around five miles from this glorious spot, went to school in nearby Romsey and now live just eight miles away but, to my shame, I'd never indulged in this popular pastime. But that was all about to change.

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I visit the pub regularly as it's a perfect part-way meeting point for friends with a great menu and lovely atmosphere. But a child free overnight stay there, short enough to not trouble the grandparents too much but long enough to leave us feeling rejuvenated, was a real treat for my husband and I. 

After a morning coffee at The Duke, it was straight up the road to Timsbury Fishing, the family run business set right on the golden stretch of the world famous River Test below Stockbridge and above Romsey, celebrated for its crystal-clear flow and thriving fish population.

We were given all the equipment we needed to get started and access to a great guide who had all the gossip on which celebrities like to fish there. The team are sworn to secrecy on some of the tales of course, but it's safe to say that they've welcomed royalty - unsurprising with their links to Broadlands close by - and even President George W Bush, a keen fisherman. 

(Image: Timsbury Fishing) Footballers and cricketers have also fished there, a team of the latter once arriving on the river bank by helicopter, and top chef Marco Pierre White is a keen fisherman who stayed at The Duke last year, praising their menu when he did. 

Comedian Paul Whitehouse loved the area so much he bought a house nearby and, apparently, movie stars Gene Hackman and Christopher Plummer have even been spotted on the river bank. 

Parties arrive regularly from near and as far as Japan, the USA, Dubai and Germany.

(Image: Newsquest) You can fish one way or another all year round, with Environment Agency rules governing the type of fishing and whether you're allowed to take your haul home. Very few people do, preferring to grab a quick snap with their fish before restocking the river. 

Women are said to catch bigger fish than men, fish being apparently attracted to the pheromones! Although very few women fish and there's no real reason why. 

My husband and I, both complete novices, were equally as poor as each other at our new pastime, which can take some time to pick up. But we had a wonderful few hours casting from the riverbank, just relaxing and enjoying nature with swans, a red kite and an otter quickly spotted, as well as plenty of leaping fish, who sadly alluded us. 

(Image: The Duke on the Test) Luckily, considering our lack of fishing prowess, The Duke's menu includes some locally caught delights. Among the starters is the Cold ‘Chalkstream’ Trout and Avocado Cheesecake with Hot Trout Rillettes on Seeded Rye Bread served with a Cucumber Salad and Crispy Capers, while served up for breakfast is Trout Royale - Cold Smoked 'Chalk Stream' Trout and Poached Eggs on Toasted Brioche with Hollandaise Sauce. Both were absolutely delicious.

Other highlights on the menu were the 21-day aged 8 oz Sirloin Steak and the shortbread stack for pudding. We washed a delightful dinner down with a bottle of wine from The Duke's extensive list. 

The pub has won several awards since reopening in the summer of 2022 and it deserves all the plaudits. It's a lovely place. 

(Image: The Duke on the Test) Staying in one of 12 stylish yet comfortable rooms, each named after a different Duke, this was a dreamy escape for us. 

There may have been no leaping salmon, but we were soon counting sheep in our dreams. A superb staycation.