Surrey

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-01.jpeg" alt="People taking part in the open day at Bisley Shooting Ground near Woking, Surrey" class="wp-image-47900" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-01.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-01-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-01-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-01-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-01-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-01-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Bisley Shooting Ground is at Cottesloe Heath near Woking. One of the oldest shooting facilities in the world – and one of the best known and beautiful – it’s set on about 3,000 acres of woodland and heath owned by the Ministry of Defence.



The Victorian clubhouse is where your day starts and ends. It’s a charming colonial-style building that was moved from its original location on Wimbledon Common in 1890. As well as the reception, there’s a lounge and dining room, verandah and lovely lawned area where you can relax. The clubhouse has recently had a makeover, so she&#8217;s looking her shiny best. Think timber-clad rooms with vaulted ceilings, huge chesterfield sofas draped in cosy throws and a stylish velvet bar stools. Big windows and doors open out onto a lawned seating area shaded by several mature trees. On a sunny day, the setting couldn&#8217;t be more perfect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-02.jpeg" alt="Shooting at Bisley Shooting Ground, near Woking in Surrey" class="wp-image-47901" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-02.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-02-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-02-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-02-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-02-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-02-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



If you think shooting is a posh man&#8217;s sport, think again. You get all sorts at Bisley &#8211; men, women and children &#8211; from mum&#8217;s and daughters trying out a new sport, students and retirees. Clay shooting is an inclusive sport with participants just as likely to be students and shop keepers as bankers and lawyers – and in recent years there’s also been a rise in the number of women and juniors taking up the sport.



The <a href="https://www.bisleyshooting.com/shooting/the-bisley-open-day/?t=1685967316221" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bisley Open Day</a> is held several times a year to give those who don&#8217;t shoot, or who haven&#8217;t shot much, a chance to try it out. It&#8217;s a relaxed day, with no previous experience required, and everything you need is supplied. Just wear what you would if you were going for a walk in the country.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE EXPERIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Bisley-Shooting-Ground_ladies3.jpeg" alt="Shooting at Bisley Shooting Ground, near Woking, Surrey" class="wp-image-47213" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Bisley-Shooting-Ground_ladies3.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Bisley-Shooting-Ground_ladies3-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Bisley-Shooting-Ground_ladies3-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Bisley-Shooting-Ground_ladies3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Bisley-Shooting-Ground_ladies3-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Upon arrival, shooters meet in the lounge where Bisley lay on tea, coffee and breakfast (bacon in sourdough baps, pastries, yoghurt and granola, plus fruit). It&#8217;s a chance to get to know some of the others who are also taking part in the day. 



By 10am, we&#8217;re on our way to the shooting stands &#8211; divided in groups, introduced to our instructors and handed a gun and the required safety equipment (glass or goggles for the eyes, earplugs for the ears).



I&#8217;m with two chaps &#8211; Ben, who&#8217;s recently graduated from art college, and Adrian a recently retired media exec &#8211; all of us with little to no shooting experience. Our instructor is William, who&#8217;s been shooting for over 25 years. 



William gives us a safety briefing and a lesson on how to hold the gun, aim and fire. And then we&#8217;re off.



We move around Cottesloe Heath to the different stands – with names like Treetops, Sunset and Stix – each offering a different challenge. At some, the clays fly into the air from the left, some have two clays, and others have them bumping along the ground, like rats or rabbits. I’m sure I haven’t quite got the technical terms right – but you get the picture.



The big question though? Did I hit any clays? And it&#8217;s a yes &#8211; thanks to William&#8217;s fab coaching we each nailed the challenge of each stand hitting the clays, before moving on to the next. It&#8217;s a great feeling.



There’s a break mid morning for Elevenses &#8211; hot and cold drinks in the field, and savoury snacks to keep us going. And at 1pm, when we&#8217;re finished, we head back to the clubhouse for a complimentary drinks and a powow about the events of the morning and an informal awards ceremony. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-03-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Bisley Shooting Ground, near Woking, Surrey" class="wp-image-47902" width="640" height="426" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-03-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-03-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-03-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-03-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-03-788x525.jpeg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Bisley-Shooting-May2023-03.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KID-FRIENDLY?&nbsp;</h2>



Yes, the Bisley Open Days are open to children from 10 years old as well as adults of all ages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Good for: Sporty types, those who love the outdoors, anyone looking to try something new, families, parents, grandparents and children.



Not for: Those who are particularly sensitive to noise, may not enjoy it.



The damage: The next Bisley Open Day is on Monday 23 October. Cost is £115 per person which includes tuition, safety equipment, use of the gun, up to 75 clays and cartridges, food and a drink at the bar. 



As well as the Open Day, Bisley have various package options, ranging from one-to-one, <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/shooting-lessons-bisley-shooting-ground-surrey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two-to-one</a> and group lessons, for all abilities. There are also <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/girls-with-guns-bisley-shooting-ground-surrey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ladies&#8217; Days</a>.



<a href="https://www.bisleyshooting.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bisleyshooting.com</a>

Sharp shooter! Muddy takes aim at the Bisley Open Day

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