Where to Find Clay Shooting Clubs, Associations and Shooting Grounds in the UK
Local clay shooting clubs, national clay shooting associations, and CSPA-affiliated shooting grounds are waiting for people like you.
Great news: there are plenty of places in the UK that cater to shooters of all levels, and they’re keen to welcome new members of the clay shooting community. If that’s you, you can’t go wrong with the clay shooting clubs, associations and shooting grounds listed in this blog.
This is the ninth entry in Castellani’s blog series all about clay shooting. Whether you’re a complete beginner, a seasoned competitor, or someone who’s looking to change it up by shooting in a different place/with different people, you can stand to learn something new from the info below.
Local Clay Shooting Clubs
Local clubs affiliated with shooting grounds are fantastic hubs for enthusiasts. They’re quite possibly the very best opportunities to connect with fellow shooters in your area. Membership allows you to participate in club competitions and events, and may offer discounts on entry fees to those events. Plus, it might even assist you when applying for or renewing a Shotgun Certificate by demonstrating your 'good reason' for wanting one.
Discovering local clubs is easy – Google is a helpful resource, or you can inquire at your local gun shop. The CPSA website has a great tool for this purpose, too: it features a club and ground finder at CPSA Find a Club.
National Clay Shooting Associations
It's wise for anyone entering the world of clay shooting to join the relevant national association. In England, that's the CPSA. Even if you're not immediately eyeing registered competitions, membership does more:
- It connects you with local clubs and grounds
- It provides valuable information through publications like the CPSA's "Pull!" magazine
- It offers essential insurance coverage. This is a must! Public liability and personal injury insurance are often required at many shoots, not just the CPSA-affiliated ones.
Joining county and regional committees or qualifying as a safety officer or referee is also possible through these associations.
Clay Shooting Grounds Across the UK
The CPSA alone boasts over 350 affiliated shooting grounds. From local 'pop-up' shoots in fields to larger grounds with multiple layouts and top-notch facilities, the options are diverse. There’s definitely one that will suit your needs if you know where to look.
Some standout ‘CPSA Premier Plus’ grounds include:
- Barbury in Wiltshire
- Eriswell Lodge in Suffolk
- West Kent Shooting School
- EJ Churchill in Buckinghamshire
- Bywell in Northumberland.
To find a CPSA-affiliated ground near you, a simple Google search like "clay shooting in [county]" or "shooting grounds near [town]" will yield many options. Hope to see you out there (or at an competition/championship)...
If you’re aiming to succeed at clay shooting, Castellani can equip you with everything you need to succeed. View our product range for industry-leading equipment, take a look at our blog for more free tips and resources, or get the full Beginner’s Guide to Clay Shooting by clicking here.
