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With thousands of registered shoots, including some of the most famous names in the land, GunsOnPegs is uniquely placed to provide information on which are the most popular shoots in the UK. We looked at two criteria: profile views and followers to find out which shoots have been piquing your interest over the last twelve months.
The list below contains shoots of all shapes and sizes, all around the UK, but they all share a few common traits, no matter the price point at which they operate: brilliant hosting and hospitality, caring for and protecting our countryside, pride in their work and a dedication to ensuring that we can all enjoy 'the best days of our lives' out in the field with family and friends, old and new.
Edmund Sword of Lycetts said: “As an insurance broker that is heavily involved in the rural community, Lycetts are proud that by supporting the Most Popular Shoots of The Year, we’re able to celebrate the shoots, estates and agents that embody the very best of shooting. We work hard to understand the fieldsports community so that we can continue to support and enable people to enjoy their passion with peace of mind."
As the biggest shooting booking platform, our data gives a great picture of the shoots that people are visiting. Looking at profile views gives us an idea of the estates that have drawn the most interest across the web. Where this metric falls down is that we could be looking at idle dreaming, rather than intent to book. This is nevertheless an interesting aspect to look at!
Conversely, although we don’t have data on where people have been actually booking (that’s always between you and the shoot), we can see which estates and agents receive the most followers. Out of the thousands of shoots listed on GunsOnPegs, these are those which received the most interest from our members in 2024 - will you add one of them to your calendar for the tail end of this season, or next?
It is notable that many of the shoots featured below are those that have managed to find ways of keeping costs down, whether through walked up and boundary days, comparatively modest bag sizes, or some other creative approach.
The Most Viewed Shoots of the Year
1. Blannicombe
Having smashed into the top three last year, Blannicombe has continued to grab the attention of GunsOnPegs members and this year has snaffled the top spot.
East Devon’s steep terrain forms the setting for the stunning shoot that is Blannicombe Sporting Club. With homecooked, locally sourced food (including local game for elevenses), for Gareth and his team, the quality of the hospitality and the warmth of the welcome is as important as the quality of the shooting, and all three are of excellent quality.
What a wonderful day great variety of birds on every drive. Gareth and his team made us feel very welcome to their corner of Devon. I can honestly say that I will be looking to book another visit next year.
2. Bodidris
This previous GunsOnPegs top three most enquired for shoot is back under new management, and securing the second most viewed shoot spot. With it's 100 high bird days, community breakfasts, and lively pub finishes, this shoot promises an unforgettable, authentic experience in the Welsh countryside.
It’s not meant to be fancy – but it helps make sense of doing a top quality driven day with a relatively small bag – surely the most important thing. All this and prices that won’t scare the horses – what’s not to like?
3. Brimpsfield Park Estate
Having garnered increasing attention from GunsOnPegs members, Brimpsfield Shoot has ascended to the top three most viewed shoots in 2024. Nestled in a beautiful Cotswold Estate between Cheltenham and Cirencester, it has a reputation as one of the finest driven pheasant and partridge shoots in the Cotswolds.
This has to be the best day I have had for years. The most incredible variety of high birds and some really testing shooting. Ben and his hosting skills are second to none. The 11s cooked by the private chefs using game from the shoot was a really nice change to the normal 11s I have had on other shoots. I would recommend Ben and his team to anyone 10/10
4. Honeycombe
Recommended by 60 guns and with over 50 five-star reviews, it’s no surprise that Honeycombe features in this category. Mark and Antonia have been expertly running the shoot for over 16 seasons, offering a variety of days to suit all preferences and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed walked-up day or a more challenging driven shoot, Honeycombe has something to offer every gun.
Shot here over many seasons, this last one cut short due to travel. Always good shooting, good company, good etiquette and good hospitality. Mike, Antonia and James go out of their way to ensure the shooting is of the highest quality.
5. Mountgarret
Although the legendary Frank Boddy has given up his sporting lease at Ripley Castle, he still operates the Mountgarrett Shoot, which continues to garner plenty of interest from GunsOnPegs members.
Set over three North Yorkshire estates and occupying 4,500 acres of varied landscape, the shooting is high quality, but the real appeal is Frank’s famous hospitality and organisational skills, plus the shoot’s welcoming approach to individual guns and small groups.
6. Morghew
Morghew Park is an estate steeped in history, dating back to before the Norman Conquest.
The shoot continues to find success with the GunsOnPegs audience this season by moving with the times and laying on plenty of accompanied walked-up and rough days, competitively priced at under £300/gun, as well as slightly bigger yet still affordable 80 bird driven days.
7. Willey Park
Set within 2,000 acres of picturesque parkland near Much Wenlock, Willey Park offers exceptional pheasant, duck, and partridge shooting in one of England's oldest estates, with a game book dating back to 1825.
I wrote my first review about Willey Park six years ago when I first started shooting, since then I return at least twice each season. Over the years I have shot the length and breadth of the UK, big days, small days, extreme days and walked -up days but I constantly return to Willey Park because it is without doubt one of the best value days you will have with quality birds that are well presented.
8. Clovelly
A new contender in this year’s Shoot Awards, Clovelly Shoot, is set along the stunning North Devon coastline. Now in its 11th season, it offers over 250+ bird days to suit all skill levels, making it a firm favourite among enthusiasts. The addition of a BBQ lodge and a private chef elevates the experience, blending exceptional shooting with outstanding hospitality.
9. Teasses Estate
Nestled within the rolling hills of North East Fife, Teasses offers quality driven pheasant, partridge and duck shooting at a price that's not going to break the bank, with 150 bird days under £800. Welcoming both experienced shots and novices, enjoy warm hospitality with lunches served in the Shooting Lodge or cozy Shoot Bothy.
10. Pennal
Nestled in the breathtaking mountains of Mid Wales, Pennal Shoot is known for its high-driven pheasants and partridges. Birds are flushed from the tops of rugged terrain, using natural cover to provide an incredibly challenging experience. With famous drives such as Humble Pie and Turbo, it's no wonder Pennal made the top 10 most-viewed shoots this year. Hosted by Cambrian Birds, it's a must-visit for high-bird enthusiasts.
The Shoots with the Most Followers This Year
This year GunsOnPegs launched a new “follow feature” allowing shoots to communicate with guns directly and increase communicaition, engagement and interest.
1. Ripley Castle
Landing the top spot with a huge 450 followers is Ripley castle, now in it’s third year of management under Mark Eddon.
The shooting varies from open parkland through to rolling valleys with a mixture of pheasant, partridge and duck. There is something here for all standards of shots with plenty of birds to test even the most experienced.
2. Double Stones
Coming in a very close second is Double Stones. Having place in the top 15 for views this year, Double Stones' 49 glowing reviews from GunsOnPegs members, and not one rating below 4.7 stars (out of six), not to mention an attractive price point, it’s no wonder so manny guns wish to keep up to date with news and updates from Double Stones.
Double Stones allows the 'everyday' gun the chance to take up a peg on a friendly syndicate in stunning surroundings, plus the chance of a grouse!
3. Belvoir Castle
With its dramatic views, deep valleys, and historic parkland, Belvoir Castle secures third place in this year's most followed shoots. Boasting over 75 varied drives, this estate offers first-class hospitality with scenic elevenses and a gourmet lunch. Optional castle accommodation provides a luxurious retreat, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the grandeur of this world-class shooting experience.
4. Mountgarret
It's clear that Frank Boddy's reputation in the field is what makes this shoot unique, but he's also created a sure bet for single teams, small groups and novice guns.
5. Blannicombe
Blannicombe proves that providing affordable days (150-75 bird days for under £900 a gun) doesn't mean a reduction in quality.
What a wonderful day great variety of birds on every drive. Gareth and his team made us feel very welcome to their corner of Devon. I can honestly say that I will be looking to book another visit next year
6. Clovelly
It's great to see Clovelly in the top 10 of these two categories. Now sold out, surely this is one to look out for the 2025/6 season?
7. Warter Priory
It’s no surprise that Warter Priory ranks among the top 10 most followed shoots. Set in 12,000 acres of scenic farmland and ancient woodlands in East Yorkshire, it offers world-class driven pheasant and partridge shooting.
With over 50 varied drives and expert guidance from Head Gamekeeper Frank Croft, this shoot provides an unforgettable experience, with very limited availability for 300+ bird days.
8. Studley Royal
If this rundown was for the title of most beautiful shoot in the country, Studley Royal estate would surely be a contender for the top spot. The location of Fountains Abbey, and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on some days the ruins of the Cistercian monastery form the backdrop for the day’s shooting, while on others guns find themselves standing amid the 18th-century deer park or the landscaped gardens, described by UNESCO as works of ‘creative human genius’.
The 4,000 acre estate is also steeped in shooting history, having been the family seat of one of the most highly regarded game shots of all time, the 2nd Marquis of Ripon, its diverse wooded valleys forming a perfect setting for high quality shooting.
9. Brigands
Part of the Bettws Hall stable of shoots, The Brigands Shoot is set in the rugged hills of Snowdonia National Park. This 12,000-acre estate offers a true test for accomplished shots with iconic drives like Waterfall, Oaks, Welsh Haven, and Heaven’s Water. Expect stratospheric pheasant shooting from diverse natural cover.
10. Whitfield
Located between Alston and Hexham, Whitfield Estate offers top-tier Grouse, Pheasant, and Partridge shooting across 15,000 acres of stunning countryside. Managed by Stuart Maughn since 1982, the estate is known for its legendary Pheasants and challenging high birds.
I've been shooting for over 30 years and thought I could shoot! If you want a challenge this is the place to go. Without a doubt a fantastic shoot, run by Stuart and his team to perfection. The best day that I have ever had, I can't wait to go back.
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