12 • Country Sports & Days Out


Country pursuits I


t might be easy to assume you’d need your own sprawling country manor enjoy the likes of clay


pigeon shooting, showjumping or falconry. Yet, the UK’s many rural retreats, castle hotels and agricultural fairs mean these once exclusive pursuits are more accessible than ever.


CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING The clay pigeon shooting at Dartmoor’s Bovey Castle is geared towards novices: its single-barrelled shotguns have no recoil, meaning would-be musketeers won’t end up with sore shoulders — which shouldn’t be a problem given Bovey also features an illustrious spa and pool. From £55, boveycastle.com If you’re an experienced shooter,


try the monthly simulated ‘game days’ at Bisley Shooting Ground in Surrey, where the targets mimic the natural movements of pheasant, partridge and grouse. The morning option (9am-12.30pm) includes five drives, breakfast, elevenses and a nip of sloe gin. Cartridges aren’t included but can be bought at reception — 250 are required per person. From £127 for non-members, bisleyshooting.com


ARCHERY Today, archery is one of the UK’s fastest-growing activities with over 45,000 regular participants. If your last archery experience was with plastic bow-and-arrows as a kid, then ‘Have a Go’ tasters are available at your local club; country fairs such as Somerset’s Frome Agricultural also oſten offer beginner-friendly options. For the pros, Shropshire’s Eaton


Manor Archery has a 70-metre indoor range used by Team GB’s Olympic squad. Archery weekend breaks at Eaton Manor start from £250. archerygb.org eatonmanor.co.uk


FLY-FISHING Scotland’s rivers and lochs attract fly- fishing cognoscenti from across the globe. At boutique bolthole the Fife Arms in the Aberdeenshire village of Braemar, guests can fish salmon in the river Dee, which flows past the hotel — the salmon season runs from early February until late September. Fishers can retire to elegant hotel rooms, the interiors of which have no doubt been inspired by the Fife Arms owners’ other venture, the Hauser & Wirth gallery. Price determined by ability level. thefifearms.com


Countryside Living - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 7 August 2024


From clay pigeon shooting to handling birds of prey, here are some great outdoor experiences to try this summer. Words: Christian Koch


EQUESTRIANISM In recent years, Gleneagles in Perthshire has morphed into a country pursuits nirvana, offering salmon fishing, clay shooting, racquet games and horse riding. At Gleneagles’ 50-acre equestrian centre, it’s possible to try showjumping and classical dressage, or simply potter around on impossibly cute Shetland ponies. Showjumping lessons (£135) take beginners from their first cross pole to a 90cm fence, while seasoned riders can go for a hack in the heather-clad mountains (£170). gleneagles.com


FALCONRY Falconry might not be a competitive field sport, but having a bird of prey swoop towards your fist at sports car-rivalling speeds (peregrine falcons can reach 240mph) is a thrilling experience. Eastwell Manor in Kent houses the Hawking Centre, where guests can fly falconry’s ‘big four’: an eagle owl, hooded vulture, Chilean blue eagle and a bald eagle. True avian aficionados may wish to sign up for the centre’s five-day falconry course (£550). thehawkingcentre.co.uk


FLY-FISHING AT THE FIFE ARMS


CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING AT BOVEY CASTLE


ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE


Holland & Holland: melding tradition with innovation for timeless excellence


Learn from the experts and perfect your clay pigeon shooting skills on a trip out of town, building on a brand heritage dating back to 1835, and dining out on the best seasonal produce


Open countryside on the out-skirts of London: one business has been on the same site, providing world-class shooting tuition for over a century, and it remains the premier destination for all aspects of shotgun and rifle instruction in England today. Visit for your first foray into clay pigeon shooting as a novice or come to hone your skills with expert instructors, with targets to suit all abilities and a wide variety of disciplines. Complementing the shooting


facilities, the lodge offers a tantalising array of hospitality, with a relaxed conservatory lounge and bar, a fine-dining restaurant, a private dining room and a stunning terrace overlooking the grounds. Holland & Holland’s team of chefs excel in showcasing the finest British seasonal produce in their menus, and they champion game. Open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, the Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds is an exciting venue for both fieldsports and gastronomy enthusiasts alike.


Discover the art of perfection at Holland & Holland - explore timeless elegance today. Visit: hollandandholland.com


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