Shoot to let: Ripley Castle

For the last 30 years The Ripley Castle Shoot has been managed by Frank Boddy and is incredibly popular amongst GunsOnPegs members. Under Frank’s management the shoot has been among the top ten most-viewed shoots on GunsOnPegs year after year, and among the most well-reviewed. Now Frank is looking to reduce his workload after a lifetime in the shooting world, and is relinquishing his lease on this highly regarded North Yorkshire estate, presenting a fantastic opportunity for some young blood to take on this well-established and much-loved shoot. In 2020 Ripley was a runner up in the category of “Best Shoot Lunch” in the GunsOnPegs Shoot Awards, and this year several members have nominated it for “Shoot of the Year 2021.”

About Ripley Castle Shoot

The 10 year lease offers shooting rights over a single block of land extending in total to approximately 3000 acres of which about 370 acres is mixed deciduous and conifer woodland, supplemented by game crops under separate arrangement with some of the farming landowners. The shoot is centred upon the ancient parkland surrounding the spectacular Ripley Castle and the deep valley of Cayton Gill. Cayton Gill in particular is renowned for showing high challenging pheasants with the drives around the park and Hollybank being focused upon a mixture of sporting pheasants and partridges.

There are over 30 acknowledged drives and in recent years the shoot has hosted about 50 days each season with bags averaging between 200-400 birds per day. In addition to pheasant and partridges the shoot has released a modest number of ducks which are driven off the lakes in Ripley Deer Park to add variety to a number of the shoot days. 

The extensive rearing field and associated buildings are situated adjacent to the head keepers house and offer excellent facilities, supplemented by a further storage building in Cayton Gill.

In recent years most shooting parties have taken breakfast and lunch in the comfort and splendour of Ripley Castle with accommodation being available at the lovely Boar’s Head Hotel which is a couple of minutes walk from the Castle. Dating from the mid 1500s, the Castle is steeped in history and it is hard to imagine a more evocative venue to prepare for a day in the field. Numerous alternative hotels are available if required in Harrogate (3 miles), Ripon (7 miles) and the surrounding area. For those needing to travel, the A1M is just 8 miles to the east and Leeds/Bradford Airport is approximately 14 miles to the south.

At the present time the current tenant employs a head keeper and two under keepers. The head keeper’s house will be made available under a separate tenancy at market rent. The head keeper has been involved in running the shoot for many years and comes highly recommended by the outgoing tenant and the estate owners. Employment matters will be for the incoming tenant to decide, but the head keeper has expressed a willingness and desire to remain in position.

This offers a rare opportunity to take the lease of a substantial and renowned pheasant shoot within spectacular countryside and surroundings in a highly accessible location, famed for being home to some of the finest shoots in the Country. The grouse moors of Nidderdale lie a short distance to the west and those of the North York Moors about half an hour to the east. Racing is available nearby at Ripon, Wetherby and York and for non shooting partners and guests the shopping facilities of Harrogate and York are an obvious attraction.

For more information, Call 01943 885392 or email igc@dacres.co.uk