5 of the Best Shooting Grounds in and Around London
As the days grow longer and the weather begins to brighten, shooting enthusiasts across the country are dusting off their gear in anticipation of another thrilling season. With summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to explore some of the top shooting grounds in and around the London area. Whether you're a seasoned shot or a curious newcomer looking to try your hand at clay pigeon or game shooting, the capital is home to a range of premier venues where you can get access to the highest quality shooting experiences in the country! Here are five of the best shooting grounds in and around London to visit this season.
1. Bisley at Surrey
Address: 154 Queens Road, Brookwood, Woking, GU24 0NY
Opening Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm, Tuesday - Sunday
Bisley Shooting Grounds are currently top of the pile in the UK and that was made official when Bisley picked up the ‘Best Shooting Ground’ winner at the 2020 Shooting Awards. We’re looking at the Surrey edition in particular which is set just outside of Central London in Woking, on a 3,000-acre plot of beautiful land. It specialises in clay pigeon shooting and has a number of international shooters on its list of instructors, so you can be sure that you’re learning from the absolute best.
Bisley prides itself on being entirely accessible to absolutely everybody; regardless of ability, age or gender. They work off of a ‘Pay and Play’ system which means you don’t even have to pay a fixed membership fee - although you can pay an annual membership to get big discounts on your shoot days - you only get charged for the time you spend at the ground. Nor do you need your own gun - the experienced team at Bisley will be able to select you a gun from their arsenal that best suits your needs.
This is an exceptional day out whether you’re a pro looking to keep on top of your skills, or a complete beginner wanting a fun day out with your friends - head down to the most premier shooting ground in all of the UK!
2. Holland & Holland
Address: Ducks Hill Road, Northwood, HA6 2ST
Opening Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday
We don’t think you’ll find a shooting ground more tranquil or scenic inside of the M25. The Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds are a tiny piece of paradise that’s barely outside of the big city - there’s surely no better place to unwind and get away from the energy and panic of Central London after a hard week of working. This countryside delight is just 19 miles outside of Westminster and you can pretty much get there via any mode of transport in no more than an hour.
Another key benefit at H&H is that you can get an equal split of dedication between both game and sporting shooting, and their 100-yard range further opens the door to rifle shooters as well as shotgun owners. They’ve also spent the past year or so renovating the surrounding areas so you can relax in comfort whilst you’re not shooting. This includes stunningly beautiful wildflower meadows for you to wander through, as well as a new bothy for you to seek shelter or use as somewhere to put your feet up.
Not only is this a perfect shooting ground but as we know, Holland & Holland are one of the most prestigious and impressive gunmakers in the world, and you’ll get the chance to see some of their very own masterpieces in the gun room!
Everything you need to know about the Holland & Holland shooting ground can be found here >
3. E.J. Churchill
Address: Park Lane, Lane End, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe, HP14 3NS
Opening Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm, Monday - Saturday (late nights on Thursdays til 8:30pm)
Here’s another ground that has pulled in numerous awards for decades now. It’s one of those places that pretty much every shooter has heard of; which isn’t surprising considering they’ve been in business for 130 years!
E.J. Churchill is also set a little outside of London, but in the wonderful Chiltern Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and still just an hour drive from Westminster.
E.J. Churchill take huge pride in the quality of their instructors and shooting lessons, with easily some of the best shooting courses in the UK. Their instructors are capable of teaching new skills to shooters of absolutely any level - even those who consider themselves as hotshots would benefit from having an instructor at E.J. Churchill look over them. The grounds are built on a stunning woodland area that provides a picturesque backdrop for your big day in the stands - there are over 120 stands and 3 high towers too for an elevated experience.
E.J. Churchill is of course a high-end gunmaker too, with sensational engraving and perfect engineering, its gun room features the most expensive and high-end shotguns you’ll likely come across, which is worth a visit in itself!
All the details can be seen on the E.J. Churchill website >
4. West London Shooting School
Address: Sharvel Lane, West End Road, Northolt, UB5 6RA
Opening Times: 8:00am - 6:00pm (Summer, Tuesday - Friday), 8:00am - 4:30pm (Saturdays)
The West London Shooting School is about as close to Central London as a shooting ground can get - being just 7 miles from Wembley Stadium and even accessible on the London Underground (Northolt Station on the Central Line). This is another long-standing shooting ground that was established way back in 1901 - it’s durability can only be a testament to its success.
The WLSS offer specific courses for both ladies and young shots, so absolutely anyone can learn new skills in a relaxed environment with people who are in exactly the same situation - you’ll feel entirely comfortable no matter who you are. They teach game shooting in every single capacity/discipline and have been doing so for longer than anyone else in the United Kingdom.
A big focus at WLSS is gun fitting. In their own words, ‘Gun-fitting is as much an art as a science’. There are so many factors that affect how well a gun fits you, and even the slightest inaccuracy in a measurement is enough to produce a bad shot. There is probably no better place in the country to go and get yourself fitted up for a gun than here at the West London Shooting School.
Visit the WLSS website for everything you need to know >
5. Headley Clay Pigeon Shooting Club
Address: Costal Woods (off Church Lane), Headley, Surrey, KT18 6LP
Opening Times: 10:00am - 3:00pm on alternate Saturdays
Set within 11 acres of beautiful woodland in the Surrey Hills, Headley Clay Pigeon Shooting Club offers a high-quality shooting experience just a short drive from London. With over three decades of heritage, this family-run club has earned a strong reputation for delivering a friendly atmosphere and professional shooting setup. The club has earned accolades such as “Best Clay Shooting Experience in Southern England” for 2021–2022, and consistently ranks among the top shooting grounds in the UK.
The ground caters to a wide range of disciplines, including a challenging and well laid out English Sporting course with 60 or 100 target options, a fully equipped Down the Line (DTL) layout, and a Compak Sporting layout ideal for fast-paced target action. Shooters of all abilities are welcome, and beginners can take advantage of expert tuition through the club’s shooting academy, led by qualified instructors.
Headley is also known for its great hospitality; complimentary tea and coffee are available all day, and during events, visitors can enjoy a popular Greek BBQ cooked on-site. There's also a shop that stocks shooting essentials and cartridges from brands like HULL and Fiocchi, ensuring you're well-equipped for the day.
The club runs on alternate Saturdays throughout the season, and full fixture details are available on their website. Pre-booking is recommended to secure a slot.
Take a look at the Headley Clay Pigeon Shooting Club's website here >
