About
Set in the Houghton Downs, Spitfire Shoot is the perfect place to experience clay shooting. Fully automated with Promatics ‘Claymate’ system, we can offer practice shooting on a walk-in basis as well as taster sessions, 1-1 training, small to large groups, corporate parties, stag & hen events.
We have 11 stands of English Sporting targets, including our fantastic high tower. All our instructors are fully qualified, so you are in safe hands to improve your skills through your session. With our location we are ideally situated to help tailor your day with a fantastic choice of pubs, restaurants, and hotels just a mile away in Stockbridge, and Winchester, Salisbury, Andover, Romsey and Basingstoke all within 25 minutes of us.
History of Spitfire Shoot
Following the bombing of the supermarine factory in Woolston the decision was made to disperse Spitfire production. Chattis Hill was chosen as one of the sites, and assembly sheds were constructed along with a small airfield, all well camouflaged in what became known as ‘Spitfire wood’. The use as a Spitfire assembly site continued until 1945, although the units were used until 1948.
Fast forwards to 1989 where the White family took over the Houghton Down Farm, including Spitfire wood.
1993, Spitfire Shoot was founded as a vehicle to host charity clay shooting events with traps set up in the woodland, on top of bunkers and stands nestled in among the woodland, before some fantastic homecooked lunches from the family!
2000, Spitfire Shoot leaves Spitfire Wood and heads to the valley adjacent to Houghton Down Farm. The shooting lodge being a repurposed pumphouse, whose original purpose was to supply water into the top field where the army camp was housed during the Spitfire production year. As the shooting school developed, permanent planning was achieved in 2002.
For several years shooting continued as an instruction only site for corporate days and lessons up until 2007 where we became fully automated with the Promatic ‘Claymate’ system, and a Promatic ‘centre of excellence’. Following this installation, the business has gone from strength to strength to become one of the premier shooting schools in the south, winning multiple awards for customer service and quality. With a practice facility available for solo shooters and groups of license holders, and a team of fully qualified instructors to take taster sessions, 1-1 training, small to large groups, corporate parties, stag & hen events.
Through the COVID pandemic the team developed the original pumphouse shooting lodge, doubling the size of it and modernising it, while leaving some of the original features including the well sitting under the main floor! The team on site look forward to continuing progressing the business and welcoming you to shoot!