Lower Beeding
Shoot · West Sussex · 115 followers
115 followers
Tattleton Estate is in the High Weald AONB, and is centred on a 1KM lake that was a Medieval “Hammer Pond”, created for the iron industry for which this part of Sussex was famous. Fortunately, the natural topography of a high sided valley, with woodland tops, and streams and springs feeding down to the lake, that made it suitable for a hammer pond, also lends itself very well to a driven Pheasant shoot.
The shoot is over 500 acres, of which 220 is woodland, roughly split 50/50 between ancient forest and Scots Pine. This mixture of open pasture and woodland, together with the natural folds and contours of the valley, creates a varied and testing day’s shooting yet is only 10 minutes from Junction 11 of the M23, and 20 minutes from Gatwick Airport.
There has been significant investment in the infrastructure of the estate since 2007, but the shoot benefits from the presence of a very stable team – the Gamekeeper has been in post for nearly 30 years, and the Shoot Captain has been running days here for over 20 years. This experience ensures that each day runs smoothly, responding to all the variables of nature and the team’s abilities.
A typical day starts with the team meeting in Tattleton House at 8.45 for coffee, bacon rolls, and a briefing. One of the features of shooting at Tattleton is that the guns then hand over their shotguns, cartridges, spare clothing, etc to a driver, whilst the guns themselves walk between the drives with the shoot captain (transport can be arranged for those that need it). The walk to the first drive usually involves a trip on the ferry across the lake, then we run the first two drives back to back before stopping for a drink. We then have one more drive before stopping for a snack of soup, pies, tea and coffee or other refreshments in the Tree House. After this we shoot 2 or 3 more drives, depending on how the day has gone, before returning to Tattleton House for drinks and a late two course lunch.
Over the course of a day, shooting will include some open field drives, some woodland drives, and possibly a driven duck drive (by arrangement) as the lake, together with flighting ponds higher up the valley, creates a spectacular duck drive. From mid November onwards, we usually see a few Woodcock during the day. By taking advantage of the folds in the valley and the varied woodland, we are able to choose from over 20 different drives that produce a variety of shooting to test inexperienced and more accomplished alike.
We usually stand 8 guns, although can push this to 9. We do not charge overages - just leave it to the Keeper and Shoot Captain to manage.
Hospitality
Bacon sandwiches, tea, coffee, juice in the house before the briefing. Coffee after the first drive, drinks after the second drive, Elevenses in the tree house after the third drive, then drinks and canapes followed by lunch in the house after the last drive.
Birds
The Pheasants are presented in a variety of settings, some driven from cover crops on the top of the valley over open fields, some driven across the top of the lower lying woodland to give variety. The natural topography of the steep sided valley means that there will be some very high flying birds to challenge all. The duck drive is very special, as we are able to present the ducks driven along our 1Km long lake, with the guns standing either side of the lake, and one lucky gun - peg 4 - based on a very stable pontoon in the middle of the lake.
Topography
The estate sits in the High Weald AONB, and is typical of the area. High sided valleys with ancient woodlands at the top, and then open grass fields towards the bottom. 3 streams feed the lake that was created in the 16th century to create an energy source for the Wealden iron industry.
Conservation Efforts
Our team makes sure that we protect the special nature of our estate, including the management of the wetland area that benefits from SSSI accreditation. We also provide much needed deer management services for the neighbouring St Leonard's Forest, where the herd numbers continue to increase but the forestry keepers are not able to cull on the forest due to uncontrolled public access
About the hosts
The shoot is based on a private family estate. There are 12 days per year, of which the family and friends take 9/10. There are 2/3 let days per year. the let days are run on exactly the same basis as the family days, with the same Shoot Captain, and the same hospitality. The estate is run in a relaxed manner, but with safety as an absolute priority. We can provide loaders/coaches for anyone that needs one, and guns are welcome to bring their own trained dogs. Of note, the guns walk between each drive, but with their kit transported between drives in an estate vehicle. This is an extremely convivial way of enjoying the day, and getting to see and enjoy the estate.
Travel information
Our shoot is 25 minutes from Gatwick Airport and Train station, and 12 minutes from Horsham train station. There are good accommodation options locally at a variety of prices.
Final thoughts
The estate has benefited from a very stable team - gamekeeper is in his 35th year, and slowly handing over to his son. We have repeat guests every year that mean we only usually let 2, or maximum 3, days per year. This continuity has allowed us to make continual improvements in infrastructure and drive layouts. The owner enjoys going shooting with other friends, with the gamekeeper as loader/stuffer, and they work hard to nick and use all the good ideas that they see, and take learnings from the not so good... Previous guests have included Royalty, Rockers, Billionaires, paupers, actors, hedge funders, interior decorators, farmers (lots of), soldiers (lots of), great shots, poor shots, novices, young guns and we have an annual Ladies Day.
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Reviews
Mr. Neil Moulton
Well, I am at pains to recommend this shoot as we have just enjoyed a most superb day of shooting and entertainment at what is a hidden gem. I really don't want the secret to get out. An absolutely stunning estate, coupled with superb organisation and huge and helpful hospitality - nothing is too much trouble. My great thanks go to Chris Stone who allowed us to join the day and also Bruce Sherriff for looking after us all and leading the guns superbly. The birds, provided by the team were varied and very well presented. Perfect I would say for the average shot, though I am sure there are further tests available on the estate for those with greater prowess. A very relaxed day's shooting with great company but all done very, very well. This is not shoot to think about trying, it is a shoot to put on your 'must do' list. Many thanks again to all those involved!