The idyllic place for a round of English sporting clays. Thimbleby Shooting Ground (Est. 1988) is located on the brink of the North York Moors national park just off the A1/A19. These factors combined make Thimbleby the ideal place to allow easy access to an incredibly beautiful location that presents some of the best quintessentially Yorkshire moorland.

Thimbleby Shooting ground offers a wide range of targets “such as high pheasant, springing teal and bolting rabbits”. On site there is also a 40-metre air rifle range with a variety of targets and guns available to hire. The ground now “offers full Simulated Game days, shooting clays on a variety of drives set within the heart of [Thimbleby] estate”.

This clay ground is the perfect location for seasoned guns and novices alike. For the more experienced shots being the “first ground in the UK to exclusively operate state of the art, wireless controlled traps, ensuring clays are consistently delivered using a simple card system which allows customers to activate the traps whilst keeping track of the clays used” is an attractive feature of this location. “The system also enables solo shooters to enjoy a round by themselves”. And for first time guns or those looking to brush up on their skills a plethora of knowledge and expertise can be derived from the team of experienced instructors. A wide range of lesson types are also available.

A recent visitor of Thimbleby shooting ground commented on her experience of visiting as a beginner shot. Undergoing her first ever formal shooting lesson with instructor Craig, she commented that she felt “very comfortable” throughout the whole experience. When asked whether she was met with consideration of her requirements before and during the lesson she stated that they “explained everything very well and helped where they could [with sizing]” as a smaller 20 Bore gun was required. She was very pleased with the detailed explanations through the use of “examples using photos [diagrams] and whiteboards and the gun itself”.  Finally, it was made clear that the grounds were “absolutely stunning” and she would most definitely go back in the future.

If you are not already convinced to visit this incredible shooting ground then be enticed by the clubhouse and café with gunroom and shop inside. The café, dog friendly, is perfect for all seasons with the cosy indoor seating and wood burner to warm by after a round in the cold, and outdoor seating to soak up the sun on in the summer months. The “café is on hand to serve breakfasts, hot and cold drinks, snacks, light bites and lunches for our visitors.” There is also a “professional chef” that “creates a seasonal menu with everything from breakfast rolls or sweet treats to more hearty meals”.

More information along with booking pages can be found on their website here - https://www.thimblebyshoot.com