A rare opportunity to lease sporting rights just over an hour from London

The Verney family has occupied the Claydon Estate for almost 400 years, running it as a commercial business but with traditional values. Until recently the Estate operated its own in hand shoot.

Excellently located, the land is in an enviable position, situated 26 miles from Oxford, 13 miles from Bicester and 7 miles from Buckingham.

Suitable for pheasants and partridges

The sporting rights over Claydon Estate extend to approximately 2031 acres (shaded pink on the plan below). Interested parties can negotiate further land totalling 1347 acres.

The Claydon Estate sporting rights

This is land for pheasant and partridge, with a number of established drives from a combination of woodland and cover crops. Most of the land comprises mixed arable and pasture with around 400 acres of woodland. The Estate is subject to various agri-environmental schemes.

Woodlands of different sizes

These comprise a mix of broadleaf and coniferous plantations which vary in size and structure throughout the Estate. Woodlands are managed primarily for sporting and timber purposes and as such great emphasis is put on trying to establish good woodland structure and the correct balance of ground cover.

Wildfowling at Claydon Estate

There are a number of flight ponds, primarily spring fed, which are frequented by a range of wildfowl including Mallard, Teal, Widgeon, Canada and Greylag geese.

All deer stalking is currently let separately.

Lease terms and conditions

The terms of the lease are open for discussion but the intention is to find a suitable individual or group of individuals, with whom the Estate can build a working relationship. Applicants need to be mindful that they would  be operating alongside existing agricultural tenants as well as various Estate enterprises.

Gamekeeping

The Estate does not currently have a full time keeper and therefore TYOE regulations do not apply. There is no keeper’s house, although the Estate is open to discussions on requirements.

• A range of gamekeeping equipment, figures and fittings available
• The shoot benefits from established cover crops along with release pens and other associated shoot infrastructure
• A portal framed building for storing shoot equipment may be available.
• Various public rights of way (both footpaths and bridleways) cross Claydon Estate

How to apply

Please express your interest in writing to: The Claydon Estate, Estate Office, Middle Claydon, Buckinghamshire, MK18 2EX

Your letter should include a brief summary of previous shoot involvement, expertise and experience along with a summary of future plans. Following review, the Estate will invite registered parties to a viewing and request a proposal on how they intend to operate the shoot.

Viewings are strictly by appointment and following direct contact with the Estate Office.