The legendary John Bidwell and his family have created a unique resort with top shooting facilities by the Suffolk coast.
High Lodge was created more than 30 years ago by the shooting legend that is John Bidwell, inventor of the Move-Mount-Shoot technique, multiple World, European and British champion and still a force to be reckoned with today – taking bronze in Super Veterans at the Fitasc Open at the recent World English Sporting meeting.
Driven by his passion for shooting, over the years John and his family have created a superb shooting facility, offering Sporting, Skeet, DTL, Sportrap, Trap and now Compak, all set in lovely farm and woodland just off the A12 close to the Suffolk coast.
The ground offers around 30 Sporting stands, Skeet ranges, a DTL range, a Trap layout and a Sportrap layout. Many of the stands are covered, making shooting more enjoyable in the cooler and wetter months.
Facilities at the ground are top notch. It is classified as a CPSA Premier Plus ground, and has hosted many prestigious events including British and English Open Championships as well as The Clay Shooting Classic. The ground also hosts other national and regional events, including this year’s Compak Sporting Grand Prix.
It’s more than just a shooting ground – over the years John and his team have developed a full leisure and hospitality venue on the site that stretches to 120 acres, with luxury holiday lodges, golf and fishing to complement the shooting. In fact they have a large function suite and are a popular venue for weddings too.
Turning off the main road you follow a long driveway through fields and a golf course, arriving at the modern clubhouse with ample parking. Most days you’ll find a number of shooters relaxing inside or out, either before or after shooting – there’s a bar as well as a restaurant offering a variety of meals, snacks and refreshments.
There’s also a well-stocked shop catering for everything a shooter could need. They stock a huge variety of brands including GMK, John Rothery, The Masters Golf Company, Evolution Sunglasses, Napier, Easy Hit, Pilla, Garlands, Browing, Miroku, Blaser, Musto Clothing, Beretta, Bratton Sound Gun Safes, Eley, Rio, Hull and Jack Orton.
High Lodge is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, all year round, Bank Holidays included. Then from April to the end of August they’re also open every Wednesday evening until dusk.
The practice ground is open throughout these times and there’s no need to book, just turn up and shoot a variety of disciplines including the Sporting stands, high towers, Sportrap, Skeet and DTL. There are no wad restrictions, but to manage noise levels they restrict loads to maximum 28g of clay shot sizes only.
They also offer Try Clay Shooting and Have-a-Go days, as well as group and one-to-one coaching with a team of instructors led by John Bidwell. The ground also caters for private and corporate events.
Asked what sets their ground apart for shooters, they reply: “Our facilities are second to none, with shelters and pathed areas, and a good choice of targets that are changed regularly.
“We run our ground as a business, reinvesting back into the facilities so we are always updating and renewing. The team are very customer focused and friendly, so we provide a real feel-good factor for shooters of all levels.
“Plus we have the luxury lodges on site so shooters can stay. There’s also good fishing, a nine-hole golf course, footgolf course and five-stand air rifle ranges.”
They add: “We’re a friendly bunch, proud of our family heritage and our independent status. We don’t take short cuts or half measures – perfection with a professional attitude.
“We are inspired by a love of what we do and the experiences we help deliver. We listen, adapt to our customers needs and provide tailored packages in a timely manner.”
That’s true whether you’re booking a full-on celebration or going for a round of Sporting practice. So if you’re in the Suffolk area, High Lodge is definitely worth a visit.
Don’t forget also that High Lodge have an offer of 100 clays & food from £37.95pp running at the moment or some special instructional days at £99.00, inclusive of clays and 5 hours instruction with Andrew Coppen.
High Lodge said that this “help to improve people’s shooting techniques based around ‘John Bidwell’s’ Move Mount Shoot Technique.”
For more information:
Telephone: 01986 748 347
Or follow this link: https://highlodge.co.uk/activities/clay-pigeon-shooting/
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