Clay Pigeon Shooting Dorset 7 prices and offers 2025

You’ve probably heard the expression “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Well, if you’re in Dorset, you’ll find that a lot of people enjoy the old fashioned countryside pursuit of clay pigeon shooting. But don’t get the wrong idea, this sport isn’t just for old fuddy-duddies and farmers. It’s becoming more and more popular around the country with people from all walks of life, and while you can find shooting ranges in many major towns and cities nowadays, Dorset, an overwhelmingly rural county which doesn’t even have a motorway, remains one of the best places to do it.

So why is it becoming a popular pastime? The answer will be different for every marksman and woman, but the reasons include the sense of peace and focus that comes from training your aim, the thrill of smashing a plate to pieces in mid air, or opportunity to spend time in the great outdoors. Another attraction is the social aspect. Unlike most target sports, which involve each person shooting at their own target, in this one multiple people can line up to take a shot at the same target, a flying object like a dinner plate known as a clay. Whether this leads to increased competition or encouragement, it’s a bonding experience for all involved, and if you have a shot of it in this bucolic landscape, you’re bound to come back for more.

Where can you enjoy clay pigeon shooting in Dorset?

• Blandford Forum: Right in the heart of the county, the town of Blandford boasts several clubs which welcome newcomers and groups to their ranges in the surrounding countryside. As well as standard shooting, you can find some great simulated game events here. This involves leaving the carefully tended range and heading into woodland, valleys or meadows where clays are released at random from hidden machines (traps) and you have to react quickly if you want to hit them.

• Sturminster Newton: Sturminster Newton is a town steeped in tradition, which used to host one of the largest cattle markets in the country. Nowadays it’s a great spot to try this classic sport and, located near the Somerset and Wiltshire borders, attracts people from all over. The shooting school has a high reputation for the quality and friendliness of its tuition, so it’s perfect for shooters who want to refine their technique, or groups who want to enjoy experimenting with a different activity.

• Wareham: Leaving this market town in the direction of Weymouth, the main road takes you past the largest shooting ground in the county. It’s a stunning location with views of the Purbeck Hills, and the mixed heathland and evergreen trees that populate the landscape are used as a factor in the shooting layouts. All of this, combined with the management of the school, has won it the title of Best Shooting Ground in the UK by popular vote.

• Poole: Just in case you’re still worried that clay pigeon shooting is too old fashioned for you, we want to tell you that you can do the laser version near Poole and Bournemouth. It involves using deactivated shotguns fitted with laser equipment that register hits on reflective clays. The advantages are numerous - there’s no need to reload, no danger of wayward cartridges, adjustable noise levels, and even a Night Shoot Mode. What’s more, each gun fires a laser with a unique frequency, so no one can steal your hits - and a satisfying smash noise is played by your gun when you hit the target. The laser clay pigeon range can also be packed up into a van and driven to locations around Dorset, ideal for a fete, a birthday party or even a wedding!

What are the options for organising this experience?

- One of the most common ways that people get involved in this activity is by participating in a group session. These are becoming more and more popular for stag and hen parties with a twist, but they can also be organised for other special occasions or corporate away days. Although the focus will be on fun during one of these sessions, your instructor will be an experienced shooter who takes this sport seriously, and knows how to get the best out of the group. You can find a range of options here, from short 1 hour tasters to longer sessions from 2 hours to half a day.

- An introductory session might well be enough to get you hooked, and if you’re keen to take up this sport as a hobby, the best way to do so is by booking some lessons. Schools here offer top tier tuition on an individual, 2 to 1, or small group basis, with each lesson lasting between 1 and 2 hours, depending on what’s convenient for you.

- The most immersive experience is simulated game shooting. This is an animal-friendly recreation of old hunting trips, where the targets would be real pigeons and other birds, which puts clay pigeon shooting equipment to good use in the open landscape of this rural county. Hidden traps launch the clays into the air to simulate the flight of birds such as pheasants, partridge, grouse, and, of course, pigeons - will you have quick enough reactions to shoot them down? Simulated game shoots are usually put on as full day or half day events, which include breaks for refreshments.

Requirements to do this activity

Previous experience with guns, firearms licences and killer instincts are not required to enjoy this activity. Anyone will enjoy the sport and most will hit several clays on their first try. Of course, the fun is multiplied if you have a go with your friends!

It’s also a very safe sport, so children can take part. The minimum age ranges for shooting at ranges varies around Dorset from 7 to 12 years old, and this is down to the equipment that’s available. A full size shotgun is too big and heavy for a child to hold in the right position, let alone start firing, so they need to use smaller guns.

We’re aiming to impress you, so tell us what you want to do and we’ll organise an experience that will exceed your expectations.