I come from Texas, so really I’m supposed to know all about guns. But since I won that riflery award at summer camp age 12, my shooting prowess has largely been on the wane. Don’t get me wrong — I love shooting (I did say I’m from Texas, right?), but the opportunities to practice don’t come along that often.
When my 16-year-old stepson received a voucher from his grandparents for a clay pigeon shooting day, my husband and I decided to register our 11-year-old daughter too and, while we were at it, have a private lesson for the two of us. Or rather a private lesson for me and a bit of easy shooting for him.
The day out was at Barbary Shooting School in Wiltshire, just on the way to granny’s. The school is top-notch and runs loads of activities, from “have a go” days for taster sessions, ladies gun club meetings, multi-activity parties, children’s parties, and individual and group lessons.
Here’s what we thought of it:
What:
Our 11- and 16-year-old went on one of the Young Clayshots Day. The group of children — there were upwards of 20 that day, which one of the staff described as the biggest they’d ever had — were divided into smaller groups then taken to various stations of Barbury’s grounds. In one area just next to the lodge/club house, they took turns learning how to shoot air rifles at neon-coloured water balloons tacked onto a board. In another they did archery — using seriously engineered bows and with some of the children standing remarkably close to the target. They they got instruction shooting “birds” (clays catapulted into the air) and “rabbits” (clays that roll along the ground).
All the children were complete novices or just about. (Barbury also run children’s clayshots days for more intermediate shooters.)
Kid appeal:
“It was very easy to learn how to shoot and you felt safe. The instructors were very clear,” my daughter said, describing her experience a few weeks later. On the day she was more effusive, talking in detail how she did the best in her group in the air rifle shoot-out, hitting a metal crow to beat out the last boy standing. The 16-year-old beamed after getting a nearly perfect score shooting clays.
Thanks to the attentive instructor, who stood next to each shooter in turn and gave shot-by-shot advice — along with an occasional hand in guiding the gun — every child hit at least one and we were never concerned about safety.
What we liked: Comfortable yet challenging
The entire experience at Barbury is well-curated and thoughtful, from the confident instruction to the comfortable lodge to the incense and bottles of sunscreen in the loo in case you forget yours.
The location – The shooting school is a short drive off the M4 at Junction 15, in a beautiful rural setting. It’s literally across the road from Barbury Castle Country Park, ideal for taking a walk before or after your shooting experience.
The lodge – On the day we visited, the comfortable lodge was warm against the chill outside. At the wide wooden tables, we sat and had coffee and tea next to the realistically fake fire and the children took their lunch break amid the organised activities, eating their packed lunches. The school provides complimentary juice, water, coffee, tea (including several varieties of herbal tea — hurrah) and biscuits, with snacks and sandwiches available to buy.
The instructors – Perhaps the best thing about the instructors was their approachable, calm manner. Safety was observed at all times. Best of all, even though these seasoned, well trained people could shoot with their eyes closed, they seem honestly delighted when you successfully hit a target.
The experience – I was concerned that only an hour’s lessons would leave me wanting more. In actuality, we got to try shooting a variety of ways, from quick targets moving from left to right, clays moving toward us, clays moving away and a team activity where the two of us tried to hit 3 clays all launched at the same time.
What we didn’t like:
There’s wasn’t much that didn’t make the grade. As usual with shooting lessons, you always wish they were longer. At the end of our 1-hour lesson, I wanted to continue, but my left hand, the one that supports the barrel, was so fatigued I was finding it hard to track the clays. The only solution for that? More shooting days.
great article. Sound like a fun place. I want to spend some time target shooting.
Me too! Let’s do that together soon!
What fantastic fun – and what an unusual thing to do! Glad, despite being a British citizen these days, you indulged your inner Texan 🙂
Hey, Brits shoot too. Just out in the wild, wearing tweeds. 🙂
Looks like a good place to learn or practice. I’ve only shot once (clays) and I was horrendous – being a leftie, when the others I was with who were trying to teach me all being right handed was interesting, to say the least. I stay clear now. We do have pheasant shoots on the farm, but again it’s not my cup of tea. The annual charity clay shoot we do is great fun though – everyone gets together, enjoys it, makes some money for charity, and ribs each other for some dodgy scoring. I think my OH could do with some more shooting lessons, supposedly he’s not a good shot and sticks mostly to beating. Although one of the nephews is now having clay shooting lessons aged 12/13 and loves it.
I’m not from Texas but I tell you, I wouldn’t mind learning to shoot. I already have the cowboy boots. Although I’m guessing in this country I might need to rock the Dubarry’s…