A guide to the different clay shooting disciplines
New to clayshooting? This is what English Sporting, English Skeet and Trap shooting involve
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Clayshooting grounds in England that are open for business again
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Clayshooters in England are celebrating the re-opening of their sport after the COVID-19 shutdown. We’ve had a look around to see which clay grounds are open again in which regions (or are about to open). If there are any to add which you think should be included, please let us know and get in touch here at shootinguk@ti-media.com. We will then look at adding them to the list which we will be updating frequently.
Safety policies and procedures to prevent the spread of infection have been put in place in accordance with Government guidelines. All the clay grounds we mention below require pre-booking, so don’t just turn up expecting to shoot. Ring ahead for details and to double-check if the ground remains open or is opening as planned and don’t expect to be able to borrow a gun.
We looked for the best clay cartridges around – here’s what we found
Nowadays there is a whole selection of cartridges designed specifically for clays. Some are general-purpose, some for specific disciplines like…
Which clay grounds are open again (or will re-open shortly)
South East England
A1 Shooting Ground
Re-opens 3 June
The Long Siberia Pay & Play facility is open Tuesday to Sunday
We're delighted to be able to re-open the shooting ground on Saturday and have Claymate installed across the entire shooting ground! You must book in advance and bring your valid shotgun certificate with you, for full details head to our website 👉 https://t.co/NAVgfpQEse pic.twitter.com/jXgZbhV7Fr
— E.J. Churchill (@EJChurchill) May 21, 2020
A statement on the site says: “We are delighted to announce that as of Saturday 23 rd May 2020, E.J. Churchill Shooting Ground will re-open. We will of course be adhering to all Government guidelines on hygiene protocol and social distancing, and would ask you to do the same. Over the last two months we have undertaken significant work to include installing Claymate, a Promatic automated release system, across the entire shooting ground. All current shotgun certificate holders can now shoot unaccompanied. We ask everyone to book in advance. Our booking lines will be open as of Wednesday 20th May from 9.00am, please call us on 01494 883227 or email reception@ejchurchill.com. Could everyone please bring your hat, glasses and ear defenders and any other PPE you require. We will have a limited supply available. For those wanting to use the Claymate system please bring your shotgun certificate. ”
Opening 31st May
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Royal Berkshire Shooting School
Shortly to announce dates for simulated game shoots and other competitions.
Sporting Targets, Bedfordshire
Open for pre-booked practice daily, conditions apply.
For Sporting clays only
Shooting at West London Shooting School
Mark Heath, instructor manager advises: “We have put a large amount of effort into ensuring the safety of our clients and staff ready for when we are able to open in accordance with Government guidelines and CPSA advice together with the rest of the shooting industry. There will be an absolute focus on hygiene, safe space and safe operating procedures for everyone at the ground. Part of this will be achieved by the appointment only system that we have always operated and therefore controlling how many people are at the shooting school at any one time.”
South West England
— Barbury Shooting (@BarburyShooting) May 26, 2020
We're pleased to be re-opening for pre-booked Pay & Play #clayshooting practice. For full details and to book online, visit https://t.co/GFOGEu184m or call 01242870391. #cheltenham #gloucestershire #cotswolds pic.twitter.com/gOZURERvi7
— Ian Coley Sporting (@ICSporting) May 27, 2020
Midlands & East Anglia
Open from 27 May
Eriswell Lodge
Grimsthorpe Estate Shooting School
We'll be re-opening Saturday 30th May for PRE-BOOKED ACTIVITIES ONLY! Book your slot now. Our phone lines are now open daily 10am-4pm. #Golf, #Footgolf, #Fishing, #Air Rifle Practice & #ClayShooting Pay & Clay! For full details on each activity visit https://t.co/PFGTq4SVM1 pic.twitter.com/PfF3pH5DTt
— High Lodge Leisure (@HighLodgeSS) May 28, 2020
Honesberie Shooting School will Re-Open on Saturday May 30th 2020 #shootingground #reopening pic.twitter.com/um273U3aeh
— Honesberie (@Honesberie) May 16, 2020
South Worcestershire Shooting Ground
Opening 3 June
North West
https://twitter.com/GraythwaiteAdv/status/1263720223456313350
The @CPSAuk have confirmed that clay shooting grounds here in the UK will be able to open, with the obvious precautions.
This is great work, we appreciate your efforts.
Who's looking forward to their first trip. Where will you go first? #clayshooting #eleyhawk #cpsa pic.twitter.com/WAwX2yvjHK
— ELEY HAWK Ltd. (@EleyHawk) May 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/JonathanMMcGee/status/1264548036782555136
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