Book five lessons at Coniston and receive a year’s membership – free!
There are few shooting grounds more happily situated than Coniston Shooting Ground. It forms part of the beautiful Coniston Estate, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The estate encompasses various activity hubs, including archery and falconry, as well as being home to The Coniston Hotel and Spa, so it’s a great destination for a shooting holiday, or even a family holiday that will keep the kids occupied while you slink off for a sneaky round.
With a full lineup of trap, skeet and sporting disciplines, you can shoot something different every day of the week if you wish. The most recent addition was the ABT, installed last year, which has attracted a number of shooters, and Coniston always has staff on hand to show you the ropes if you want to try something new.Coniston’s sporting layout is particularly popular, and its target-setter works to make sure that there’s something for everyone. There are 10 training layouts – easier targets to get your eye in, where the lessons take place. Beyond that you’ll find the woodland where you can take advantage of the high tower and grouse butt, providing more challenging birds for the seasoned shot.
The training layouts on the grounds are well used, both by individual lessons, corporate events, school groups and activity days – the ground is currently preparing to be inundated by 80 Girl Guides.
A wide selection of training layouts to warm up for the big targets in the woodland
The team at Coniston know how to keep shooters happy with an impressive clubhouse and its associated facilities. And by spreading its continued investment in the ground between renovations, such as covering the layouts and renewing the car parks and walkways, the club is a constantly improving work-in-progress. Exciting times!
They take a similar approach to their shop, always trying to keep things fresh. The shooting ground will always be their priority, but with the famed, changeable Yorkshire climate, shooters can make good use of Coniston’s stock of hats, gloves and waterproof coats. They also have a range of starter to mid-range guns from the likes of Beretta, Bettinsoli, Browning, Caesar Guerini and Webley & Scott, as well as a stock of clay and game cartridges from Eley, Express, Gamebore and Hull.
Immaculate trap layouts feature covers to protect you from the Yorkshire weather
Who’s who?
Peter Manley is co-owner of the club. Sarah runs the office and organises all events, while Carl keeps all the traps and machinery maintained. Nigel is the resident BASC and CPSA qualified instructor, and Simon sets all the sporting targets and changes them regularly.
What’s on offer?
Automatic Ball Trap, Compak, Double Trap, Down The
Line, Fitasc, Simulated
Game, Skeet, Sporting
and Universal Trench.
Why Coniston?
The club has been running for 27 years and originally opened as a small practice ground. It’s central to the north of England and is convenient for the M6. It’s only closed on Mondays, making it unusually accessible. There are also no wad restrictions.
Something for everyone in
Coniston’s well-stocked gun room
When is it open?
Tuesday – Friday 9.30 to 17.00
Saturday – Sunday 9.00 to 13.00
Where is it?
Coniston Shooting Ground, Coniston Cold, Skipton,
North Yorkshire, BD23 4EA
Telephone 01756 748586 or
07831 399860
Email: info@conistonshooting ground.co.uk
Visit: www.conistonshooting ground.co.uk
How to get there?
On the side of the A65 between Skipton and Settle, on the outskirts of Coniston Cold Village. On arriving at The Coniston Hotel, go into the car park and follow the signs to the ground. It’s approximately one mile from the hotel, accessed by a private road.
Club Membership
£75 for the first year
£50 for subsequent years
Discount on clays and cartridges, plus 10 per cent off items sold in the shop
This article originally appeared in the August 2017 issue of Clay Shooting magazine. For more great content like this, subscribe today at our secure online store www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
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