Thrilling Days at Downlands: A Simulated Shoot Made in Heaven

“I just got back from one of the very first days at Downlands, and I must say that I have never experienced a day like it,” admits Gemma Raymond, Shoot Account Manager at GunsOnPegs.

“The variety of clays was truly fantastic and there was something for everyone. I confess to not being the most experienced shot, but in our team were very accomplished clay and game shooters who were able to be equally challenged and found the same level of enjoyment.

First impressions

“For a new, family-operated shoot one might expect it will take a little time for things to fall into place, but the level of service, hospitality and atmosphere was exceptional – as if it had been established for years. Ours was a fantastic day, great fun and very special.”

Behind the scenes

The Downlands Estate is located just outside of Liphook, an hour – give or take – from Central London. Formerly a game shooting estate, it encompasses almost 600 acres, which is split between ancient woodland and farmland, beautifully dissected by hills, lakes and pastures.

It was purchased in summer 2023 by the Gilboy family, whose collective vision has been to make something of the incredible topography at hand and now run every shoot day and much of the groundwork behind the scenes.

“My brother and I quit our jobs in London and Manchester to help set up and establish the Simulated shoot,” explains Lydia Gilboy, who is the first port of call for any shoot enquiries, and manages all the properties and general day-to-day tasks.

“We have a great team, including Ant McLearnon who is our Estate Manager who provides that traditional game day environment. Ant has run driven shoots all over the country for over decade, so he is well placed to make sure we create a really authentic experience.”

The Downlands season started in March, and runs through to mid-July, with the focus being guests buying full days, with the exception of two roving days where pegs are sold on an individual basis. To keep their family, exclusive feel, there will only ever be a select number of days per year.

“We have chosen to only offer 10 let days and we would love for the people who join us at Downlands this year to feel like they are part of the family, and hopefully keep coming back year after year," says Lydia.

She continues:"With my brother running the farming operation and myself and Ant heading up the shoot, plus the fact that Ant's wife Jo manages the hospitality side of the shoot, there's a really strong family vibe to what we're doing and we really want our guests to feel part of it. In 2025, we will look to expand, but we want to focus on the quality of the experience rather than putting on huge number of days, so that we can keep that family feel."

The shooting itself

“We simulate grouse, pheasant and duck, and make it as close to the real thing as humanly possible. Ant's gamekeeping experience, expertise and understanding of how different quarry species fly has enabled him to create drives which have surprised a lot of guests in their authenticity,” says Lydia. "That, combined with the backdrop of the estate's lakes and the undulating landscape, makes for a truly realistic experience." 

At the moment, each day comprises three drives, plus a high-bird competition, which in total amounts to roughly 5,000 clays. Like most sim-days, it is two people on each peg, who alternate between shooting and stuffing halfway through the drive.

There are now 7 established drives, meaning that excellent sport can be enjoyed regardless of the wind direction. "We think it is important that each of the drives is really interesting, so rather than adding drives for the sake of it, we will make sure that any future drives that we add have something special about them."

Every shoot day starts in the stunning 16th century barn where guns are welcomed with teas, coffee and bacon butties, plus the usual briefing and drawing of pegs.

A gunbus is the choice of transport between drives, with nibbles and refreshments on hand after the first drive and elevenses following the second, which is held in a log cabin next to a huge outdoor fire. "We were adamant that we should have a gunbus, as we felt that everyone travelling around the estate together helps to create a sense of camaraderie and fosters some healthy competition too!"

At 2pm, Champagne is served lakeside from the back of the gunbus, before a sumptuous two-course shoot lunch at the end of the day, served in the 16th century barn.

The menu features modern British cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients, and the team have a long-term vision to produce high quality home-grown food from the estate's regenerative farming operation, managed by Lydia's brother James.  “We want to offer our 100% grass-fed beef – we already have a herd of Shorthorn cows – and then we have a stable population of sika deer in the parkland at the front of the house, plus our own pasture-raised chickens,” says Lydia.

“We can cater for up to 16 Guns on any day, plus four non-shooting guests. We can offer gun hire, cartridges, and instructors and for those who want to use the estate exclusively, we can tailor everything from the programme to the menus to suit your requirements - we can even source particular wines or guests can bring their own favourite vintage to enjoy on the day.”

See available dates and enquire through GunsOnPegs

Prices start at £295 + VAT per Gun