john’s shooting ground blog
High View Clay Shoot
Beardon Barton, Boyton, Launceton Cornwall
PL15 8NR
Although not in Kent, or indeed within a days travelling, I’d like to give a big mention to Bill and Donna at High View down in the West Country. We came across their shoot purely by chance when a rainy day changed our plans to visit the coast. I’d previously been shooting in North Devon and met a real West Country character Mervyn Darke, at Bradford Shooting Ground at Holsworthy, he told us we must visit high view, and sure enough he was there to show us round and introduce us to the lovely folks there.
High View sits in a 43 acre farm, in beautiful countryside just outside of Launceston. The sporting shoots are usually scheduled for 2 week intervals on Sundays, but occasionally there are variations for FITASC which is becoming more popular of late. High View run CPSA registered shoots from time to time also. (Check their website for details)
Shooters go out in squads of 6 at a time to prevent backlogs at any stands, and each squad scores itself.
There are targets set for all levels, over fields, woodland, a lake, and high birds off of Bills fully extended CAT digger. You can expect a reasonable score at High View but even the experts have not managed that ultimate ton up yet.
The Polaris is available to hire if you don’t fancy walking the course, which I’d think must be a mile or so from start to end, and to keep the energy levels up there’sTwiggys Diner, the clubhouse seats up to 50 shooters…must be the best shooters Breakfast I’ve ever come across with a choice of fresh chicken or duck egg amazing sausages and bacon produced on the farm, all local produce…not to mention Donnas legendary cakes. All available from 9-00, first squads go out at 9-30.
There’s plenty of parking spaces at the top of the ground, and good toilet facilities, and even a shower block available to campers.
These folks that run High View are the loveliest, must welcoming and kindhearted folk you could ever meet, we’ve been invited back to stay at the farm whenever we’re in the area, they are the perfect hosts.
Lastly, and I say with much sadness that Mervyn passed away suddenly in 2018….you turnip.
