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ONLINE BOOKING FOR TUITION, HAVE A GO, OCCASIONS AND GAME ARENA IS TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF. PLEASE CALL 07921 951477 FOR BOOKINGS.
ONLINE BOOKING FOR TUITION, HAVE A GO, OCCASIONS AND GAME ARENA IS TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF. PLEASE CALL 07921 951477 FOR BOOKINGS.

Clay Shooting Experience in Nottinghamshire – Have a Go

Looking to try clay shooting in Nottinghamshire or searching for a unique experience day or gift idea? Our “Have a Go” sessions at Orston Shooting Ground are the perfect introduction for beginners and anyone wanting to experience the thrill of clay pigeon shooting.

With expert instruction, all equipment provided and no licence required, our sessions are designed to be fun, accessible and memorable. Whether you’re booking for yourself, as a gift or as part of a group, this is a unique outdoor experience that could even become a new hobby.

start your new hobby here!

There is no feeling quite like breaking your first target! With our bargain Have A Go sessions, your first taste of Clay Shooting is more accessible than you might think.

Our “Have a Go” sessions are specifically designed for beginners, making them one of the best ways to try clay shooting in Nottinghamshire. You’ll be guided step-by-step by experienced instructors who will teach you the basics, build your confidence and help you hit your first targets.

No prior experience is needed, and all equipment is provided — so you can simply turn up and enjoy the experience.

What To Expect From Your Clay Shooting Experience

Each session includes professional instruction, all equipment and a set number of clays and cartridges. You’ll learn how to safely handle a shotgun, develop your technique and take part in a fun, structured shooting experience.

Whether you’re attending a private session or joining a group, the focus is on enjoyment, progression and creating a memorable experience.

Private Clay Shooting Experience in Nottinghamshire

£ 55+
  • Private Have A Go sessions are run every week day for individuals. This is a great gift or birthday surprise! We also sell vouchers, if you are unsure about dates
  • £55 per person for one hour (25)
  • £75 per person for 2 hours (50)
  • 25 or 50 clays & cartridges/person/hour
  • No license or experience required
  • All equipment provided
  • Minimum age 10 years old
  • Private session
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Group Clay Shooting Experience

£ 45
  • We run a group session which is held on the last Saturday of the month and is open to everybody. These sessions are a great way to save a bit of money and meet new people.
  • £45 per person for one hour
  • No license or experience required
  • All equipment provided
  • 25 clays & cartridges/person
  • Minimum age 10 years old
  • You will be shooting with a group of people you may not know
BOOK
Why Us?

Located near Nottingham with easy access from the A1, A46 and M1, Orston Shooting Ground is ideally placed for visitors across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and the wider East Midlands.

Our purpose-built facilities and countryside setting make it the perfect place to try clay shooting away from the city.
  • Large Purpose Built Club House & Toilet Facilities
  • Over 100 Clay Target Launchers in Operation
  • Top of the range shotguns & ammunition
  • Unrivalled professional instruction “With Humour!”
  • Support with progression into the sport, should you wish to continue past a Have A Go session
  • Run by a young and vibrant team
  • The only CPSA Premier Plus Shooting Ground in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire
  • All weather facility
  • On Site Gun Shop & Country Clothing Store
  • Easy access from Major roads “no dirt tracks!” (A52, A46, M1 & A1)
  • Professional Catering Facilities
  • Huge Car park with bus/coach parking
  • No Mud! Purpose build gravel paths and shooting stands
Kate
Kate
Excellent weather conditions today for my 1st “Have A Go” Session. Great location, lots going on. Friendly & helpful staff and attentive arrival greeting. I was a little nervous to start, but Instructor Toby soon put me at ease. I gained knowledge & insight and most importantly I shot some clays!!! Fantastic birthday treat. Highly recommend.
David
David
Loved it here. Really good experience. Andrew the instructor made us feel really comfortable and was always a good laugh. The Cafe was nice; a good place to go before and after shooting. Everything was done perfectly.
Dominika
Dominika
We had an excellent time with our instructor Steve who could not have been a better teacher! We would really recommend to beginners as it is a great day out and a really fun experience. Even though we live far away in London we can’t wait to come back some day.

Looking for a team event? Explore our corporate team building activities in Nottinghamshire.

clay shooting experience Nottinghamshire
Clay Shooting Experience Gifts in Nottinghamshire

Looking for a unique gift experience in Nottinghamshire? Our clay shooting “Have a Go” sessions make the perfect present for birthdays, special occasions or anyone who enjoys trying something new.

Whether you’re buying for an individual or a pair, this is a memorable outdoor experience that offers something completely different from typical gift ideas. With expert instruction and no experience required, it’s suitable for beginners and those looking to discover a new hobby.

Gift vouchers are available, making it easy to give an experience that will be remembered long after the day.

GIFT EXPERIENCE VOUCHERS

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need experience to try clay shooting?

No experience is needed to enjoy our Have a Go clay shooting sessions in Nottinghamshire. These sessions are designed for complete beginners, with professional instructors guiding you step by step so you can feel confident, safe and supported throughout the experience.

Is clay shooting suitable for beginners?

Yes — our beginner clay shooting experiences are ideal for first-timers. We provide expert instruction, all necessary equipment and a structured introduction to help you learn the basics and enjoy hitting your first targets.

What is included in a Have a Go clay shooting session?

Our Have a Go clay shooting experience includes professional instruction, all equipment and a set number of clays and cartridges depending on the package you choose. The focus is on creating a fun, safe and memorable introduction to clay shooting.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes — booking is required for all clay shooting experiences at Orston Shooting Ground. You can use our booking form or call our office on 07921 951477 to secure your session.

Is a clay shooting experience a good gift idea?

Yes — a clay shooting experience day or session makes a unique and memorable gift for birthdays, celebrations and special occasions. It’s perfect for anyone looking to try something new.

How many people can book a Have a Go session?

Our private Have a Go sessions can be booked for individuals or small groups. The minimum is one person and the maximum is five people. For larger groups, we recommend our Special Occasions packages, or you can contact us to discuss your requirements.

Can groups book a Have a Go clay shooting session?

Yes — we offer group clay shooting sessions at Orston in Nottinghamshire, including set group days held on the last Saturday of every month. These are ideal for friends, couples or small groups looking to try something new together.

What is the minimum age for clay shooting at Orston Shooting Ground?

The minimum age is 10 years old. Safety is always our top priority, and sessions are carefully managed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

What should I wear for a clay shooting experience?

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely, along with flat-soled footwear suitable for walking on gravel paths. Dressing appropriately will help you enjoy your clay shooting session.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We only cancel in extreme weather conditions such as ice, snow or severe gales. Rain will not usually affect your Have a Go clay shooting experience, so sessions will go ahead as planned.

Book Your Experience Here

CLAY SHOOTING LESSONS

Our shooting lessons in Nottinghamshire are designed for all experience levels. Whether you are completely new to clay shooting, returning to the sport or looking to improve your consistency, our instructors tailor every lesson to you.
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the next step

GROUP ACTIVITIES & STAG PARTIES IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Planning a group event in Nottinghamshire and looking for something different? Whether it’s a stag party, hen do, birthday celebration or a group day out, our clay shooting experiences at Orston Shooting Ground offer a unique and memorable activity for all occasions.
SEE OUR PACKAGES
group options
Hot & Cold Food Available

Our cafe provides quality hot and cold food and refreshments from Wednesday to Saturday.

Orston Shooting Ground,
Bottesford Lane,
Orston,
Nottingham,
NG13 9NX

Call: 07921 951477 | 07496 875539

David Grayson

CLAY INSTRUCTION

Dave has been a regular part of the Orston Instructor Team for over a year now and we can’t remember what it was like before we had him!

He has over 50 years shooting experience in the field. As a CPSA qualified instructor and member of the Institute of Clay shooting instructors, Dave is highly qualified to teach both beginners and competition shots.
He has also shot clays competitively for over 15 years, with success at all levels; County, Regional, National and Internationally. So you are in perfect hands if you are a competent shot who needs coaching.
Dave is such a lovely and personable man, we highly recommend him for anxious people and those who need encouragement.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT SHOTGUN OWNERSHIP

DO I HAVE TO KEEP MY SHOTGUN AT HOME?

No – you do not.

Within your shotgun application form, in the section referring to storage of shotguns, you could simply state that if you were to purchase a gun you would store it at a local gun club, such as Orston Shooting Ground. We do offer long term and short-term storage options dependant on your situation. Storage is free to Club Orston members. Alternatively, you can also store it at another license holders address. We also offer options for clients who would like to purchase a shotgun prior to receiving their license, enabling them to shoot with their own gun on their lessons at Orston SG. See available guns for sale here.

 

DO I HAVE TO PURCHASE A SHOTGUN?

No – you do not. 

Many people have a shotgun license and do not own a shotgun. We have guns available to hire for shotgun license holders here at Orston. The price is FREE for members of the club and £20.00/gun for non-members.

THE PROCESSING OF YOUR APPLICATION

Your shotgun license can take anything between 6 weeks to 6 months to process depending on your local constabularies processing time. Usually the process goes like this:

 

  1. Your cheque will be banked
  2. You will receive a call from your local firearms licensing officer who will arrange an interview you.
  3. When a suitable interview date is agreed he/she will want to ask you some safety questions (most of which we will have gone through within your lessons) and ensure you are safe to have a shotgun certificate. He/she will also check your security within your house and check that it is sufficient to store shotguns within it.
  4. Providing your interview has been successful along with your medical check and reference check you will then receive your shotgun license in the post usually 2-4 weeks after completion of your interview once signed off by the head of firearms for your county.

REFERENCES & MEDICAL CHECKS

Amongst your shotgun license application form you will be asked to complete a medical check and supply two references. 

Your references will be contacted at some point throughout your application process before approval. 

You can get your medical check completed by your doctor, however recently the doctors’ fees are varying and timescales differ, so in some instances it is easier to apply through Med Cert, who charge a flat fee and have a good turnaround time. 

APPLYING FOR YOUR LICENSE

If you’re wanting to take shooting further at this stage, we would suggest applying for your shotgun license. This is a certificate that authorises you to purchase shotguns and ammunition. If you’re wanting to go shooting alone or hire a shotgun you will need to gain a certificate in order to do so. This certificate lasts for 5 years.

You apply via your local firearms department, part of your local police force. Typically, local to us is Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire although you may be reading this article from further afield! Typically, this is/would have been in paper form, however in recent times certain firearms departments have moved to an online system so it is worth checking with your local department online prior to filling out a form (below). The cost of a shotgun certificate is a one-time fee of currently £80.00.  You can find your local firearms department, by simply searching on the internet ‘County Name’ Firearms department.

When applying for your shotgun certificate the application form will be for both firearms and shotguns. For clarification when firearms are referred to, it means ‘rifles’ so therefore is not relevant to a shotgun application form. 

Paul Murgatroyd

CLAY INSTRUCTION

Paul has been an invaluable member of Orston Shooting Ground over the last 4 years. Progressing from Head Groundsman, to Grounds Manager and now General Manager.

Paul has extensive clay shooting competition experience, shooting for his County on many occasions and for the Leicestershire Police Shoot Team, winning many national titles. Paul’s ability for target setting some of the UK’s finest courses at Orston undoubtedly benefits his clients through his coaching techniques and methods. His professional and calming persona provides a very good balance for those starting on the competition ladder or wanting to develop their clay shooting skills in the sporting disciplines. Paul is APSI qualified.

Steve Brightwell

GAME & CLAY INSTRUCTION

We are very lucky to have Steve as part of #TeamOrston, for those of you involved within clay shooting will know he needs no introduction! 

Steve has won numerous national titles and is currently on th GB shooting team in countless disciplines. Having said this, Steve’s dry sense of humour and infectious talent helps encourage new individuals into the sport and is as happy to teach first time clay shooters as well as competition level shooters and game shooters!

 

Steve Spiers​

GAME & CLAY INSTRUCTION

Steve’s love for clay and game shooting shines through with all his
clients, whether offering a first time Have A Go session or teaching
regular game shooting clients.

A retired police officer, Steve can often be found competing around
the County in clay shooting competitions, assisting on local game shoots
and competing for Leicestershire Police Team.

Andrew Watson

GAME & CLAY INSTRUCTION

Andrew is an APSI Fellow, meaning he brings a huge amount of experience and knowledge to all of our clients at Orston. A highly regarded instructor both on the clay ground and in the game field, Andrew brings a huge amount of success and enjoyment to his clients.

Whether its smashing your first clay, or hitting clays off the 100 ft high tower, Andrew will bring passion, enthusiasm and enjoyment to your lesson.