United Kingdom: Chelsham Estate

One of the finest high bird pheasant shoots in England – Less than one hour from the centre of London

Chelsham shoot offers an exceptional combination of challenging high bird driven pheasant drives mixed with partridges driven over ‘grouse butts’. This is categorically not a shoot where you are going to encounter ‘hedge hoppers’ but one where a marksman’s eye for the high bird is almost a pre-requisite.

<<< Click here to find out where Chelsham estate is.

The Shooting

Those who are not acquainted with the topography of the South Downs will be in for a shock. The shoot, although within the M25 and consequently a stones throw from the centre of London, is a combination of unspoilt and isolated countryside amidst cavernous valleys. Guns are typically positioned in the troughs of these valleys with the birds being driven from game covers or woodland from one side of the valley to the other. Grassed slopes can diminish the perspective of height; however if you are in any doubt as to the quality of the birds a view down from the game covers whence the birds are driven will be more than enough to convince you to reach for a double choked gun or ‘High Pheasant’ cartridges!

There are over 100 acres of game crops strategically placed across the 38 drives of the shoot. These drives will give you the opportunity to shoot many different styles of birds from high ‘West Country’ style pheasants to partridge driven over ‘grouse butts’. The shoot typically caters for a team of 8 guns and you can expect bags of 2-300 birds. Guns are requested to assemble in the morning at the gun room in the centre of the estate, giving guests the opportunity to change or leave any spare gear prior to the day.

A typical day on the estate will cover 5-6 drives with a break in the morning for a glass or two of champagne. A simple snack of soup and sausages will be served at around midday at one of the huts on the estate with guests returning to the gun room for a full cooked lunch on completion of the day’s shooting.

Location

The estate is located within the M25 between Junction 5 and 6. Travel time from central London is approximately 1 hour, making this shoot extremely accessible whether you are traveling from the city or via Heathrow or Gatwick airport.

Premiere package

Why not avoid the unpredictable London traffic or the evening rush hour? On request we can arrange for your team to fly out in style and comfort from Battersea heliport to Biggin Hill where you will be met and driven the short distance to the shoot. The flight time is only about 15 mins, making this not only convenient but relatively inexpensive as well.