10 places to go clay pigeon shooting in Cheshire

1. Mickley Hall Shooting School, Nantwich

This is a Cheshire clay pigeon shooting school where you can leave your wellies at home – because neat stone pathways between covered stands mean that you’re very unlikely to get wet and muddy. The shoot has been carefully designed to appeal to experienced clayshooters, with well-thought out targets. Competitions take place regularly. On the other hand, if you’re a complete novice, you’ll get solid advice and instruction, whilst enjoying the beautiful Cheshire landscape.

2. The Star Gun Club, Lymm

Locals know this as a popular and friendly club, which was set up just over 30 years ago. It is open to both members and non-members and shoots are run alternate Sundays at 10am. Book a lesson in advance with an instructor or visit if you’d like to get more of ‘a feel’ for the sport of clay pigeon shooting.

3. Catton Hall, Frodsham

Based around a Scandinavian-style hunting lodge, this is a good choice if you want a corporate clayshooting day or some group instruction (although individual lessons are also available).

Lessons start with a full-safety briefing. A good place to try out clay pigeon shooting for the first time in a friendly environment if you’re after a team building day. Catton Hall is well located and just 30 minutes from Liverpool, Chester and Manchester.

4. Manchester Clay Shooting Club

Hard to believe that this club is located just 20 minutes from the bustle of Manchester City Centre. The clubhouse has been newly refurbished and is set in 400 acres of rural woodland. Professional instructors are under the watchful eye of David Lloyd who has represented Great Britain and England at Clay Pigeon Shooting since 1979. Beginners and experienced shooters both welcome.

5. Cloudside Shooting Club, Congleton 

Fantastic views of the Cheshire and Peak District countryside offer a visual treat here. Shooters of all standards are welcome. Layouts are all of championship standard and feature: English skeet, compact shooting, automatic ball trap, down the line, sport trap and Olympic trench. There is also a 30 metre archery range.

6. Tattenhall Gun Club, Tilston 

This club is owned and run by the members, which gives it a personal atmosphere but also means that members are expected to ‘muck in’ with setting-up, trapping, scoring and clearing away. The club meets on the last Saturday of every month at about 10am and members range from novices to county champions.

7. South Cheshire Clay Club

You are welcome here even if you don’t have a gun. Call up and the club will organise a morning of shooting for you. This is a small shoot that prides itself on being well-organised and for the past two years it has hosted the clay pigeon shoot at the Cheshire Game and Angling Fair. Corporate shoots, practice shoots and competition shots all available.

8. Wild Boar Clay Pigeon Club, Bosley

A friendly club that welcomes guests and new members and offers a sporting layout consisting of 50 birds. Shoots take place alternate Sunday mornings. No wild boar in sight – the club took its name from when it used to meet in the car park of the local pub – the Wild Boar.

9. Old Glossop Clay Shooting Ground

Strictly this shooting ground is in Derbyshire, not Cheshire – but it’s certainly in the local area. For many years it was known as Charlesworth Shooting Ground before changing its name. The club offers a variety  of targets presented over many different stands, so suitable for both beginners and championship shooters. Several packages are available both for corporate entertainment and one to one tuition.

10. Running Hill Clay Pigeon Club

Again, another club that’s outside the Cheshire boundary, this time in Lancashire but certainly fairly local. Facilities are open to both members and non-members and the clay shooting layout varies every time, comprising bird, teal, rabbit and looping clay targets.