Southdown Gun Club, established in 1984, is one of the largest and most prestigious shooting centers in the United Kingdom, located in the heart of the South Downs National Park in West Sussex. As a recipient of the CPSA Premier Ground Status and a six-time winner of the "Nation’s Favourite Shooting Ground" award, the club is recognized for its high standards of safety, service, and technical excellence. It serves a diverse audience, ranging from first-time shooters and families to professional international competitors.
The club's standout feature is its famous English Sporting layout known as "The Lane," which consists of up to 20 stands offering varied and challenging targets, including elevated shooting positions and driven bird simulations. In addition to sporting clays, Southdown provides permanent facilities for several other major disciplines:
Disciplines: English Sporting, English Skeet, Down The Line (DTL), Automatic Ball Trap (ABT), Compak Sporting, and FITASC.
Key Facilities: A dedicated air rifle range, axe throwing area, and an on-site Gun Shop stocking leading brands like Beretta, Browning, and Blaser.
Technological integration is a priority, with the site utilizing the Promatic Claymate system across its practice ranges. This electronic card-based system allows for independent "pay and play" shooting, featuring a solo delay function for individual practice. The DTL range further enhances the experience with a specialized Voice Release System, allowing shooters to activate traps with vocal commands.
The Southdown Shooting School offers professional tuition led by award-winning head coach Simon Arbuckle, a CPSA Level 3 Senior Coach and 2019 Coach of the Year. The school provides a comprehensive range of educational services, including:
Instruction Formats: Individual lessons, group sessions, and CPSA Academy skill courses.
Specialized Services: Professional gun fitting, dedicated ladies' instruction, and "Have-a-Go" taster sessions for novices.
As a hub for competitive shooting, the club hosts regular CPSA registered events most Sundays and major annual tournaments like the Southdown Grand Masters, which has been a staple of the UK shooting calendar for over 20 years. Members can participate in the annual Members Sporting Championship, which features a leaderboard and exclusive prize funds. Beyond sports, the venue is a popular choice for corporate hospitality, team-building days, and private parties.
The club environment is rounded out by a welcoming on-site Cafe that serves breakfast and lunch, making it a complete destination for a day out in the countryside. Membership at Southdown offers significant financial benefits, including some of the most competitive clay prices in the South East, with rates as low as $36$p per target for members.
