Though Nottingham is the seat of the antagonist in the Robin Hood legends, the people of the city have always had more in common with the noble hero than the dastardly sheriff. A good example is the Robin Hood Battalion of the British Army, which was formed by a group of merry men as a volunteer force in the Victorian era, and served in many fields of conflict including both World Wars. Of course, even in the 19th century, Robin Hood’s trademark bow and arrow had fallen out of use, and these soldiers trained their aim with guns. The battalion was disbanded in the 1990s, but the tradition of marksmanship lives on around the city, at ranges where clay pigeon shooting is an increasingly popular pastime.

Clay pigeon shooting doesn’t involve firing at pigeons, but clays. These are like frisbees, and they’re fired into the air by a machine called a trap. As they travel through the air, you’ll aim down the barrel of a shotgun, fire, and - with any luck - smash the clay to pieces. It’s the excitement and the social aspect of clay pigeon shooting that’s attracting more and more people to firing ranges. The flight of the clays can be widely varied to suit all abilities, so beginners will find themselves hitting the target in no time, while regular shooters won’t get bored of the sport, and the fact that the clay flies in an arc over a fair distance means that multiple people can take turns to shoot at the same target. All of this means that the activity brings people together and allows them to show the best of themselves. So why not try it in Nottingham, one of the best places for it in the whole country?

Where are the best places to do clay pigeon shooting in Nottingham?

• Haywood Oaks: You won’t be surprised to hear that the Haywood Oaks activity centre, which is located in the district of Newark and Sherwood, is one of the best places around Nottingham to channel your inner Robin Hood. Set among green fields and old English hedgerows, the site instils a sense of calm which is perfect for keeping a cool head and a steady hand when you start firing. And once you start, you won’t want to stop - alongside introductory sessions, there are lessons and competitive shoots here for people of all abilities.

• Kegworth: There’s another great shooting ground just down the M1 from Nottingham. The friendly team regularly welcomes new shooters to their range, whether to enjoy clay shooting as a group experience, or to find out if they want to take this sport seriously. In just a few minutes, you can escape the city and get out into the countryside, enjoying this traditional outdoor pursuit in the company of some really passionate clay pigeon enthusiasts. How can you say no to that?

• Orston: This village to the east of Nottingham may only have 500 inhabitants, but it hosts a shooting club that punches above its weight. Many people travel from the city, neighbouring towns, and further afield, to enjoy clay shooting in a large site in open countryside with no factory towers or chimneys that spoil the view. The range boasts 100 traps - so the whole village could come out to shoot at once if they wanted to! - but the team doesn't lose the personal touch, keeping group sizes small and attending to everyone as an individual.

What are the options for organising this experience?

It can often seem, to city folk, that people in the countryside keep to themselves and don’t like to allow newcomers into their way of life. In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Clay pigeon clubs are made up of friendly people who have a passion for the sport and want as many people to get involved as possible - the more, the merrier! In Nottingham you’ll find a number of different ways to break into the world of clay shooting.

One of the most common of these is through group shooting sessions. Anyone who’s been a best man or maid of honour for their friend’s wedding knows that a good send off for the bride or groom to be is an essential part of their role. Nottingham’s gun clubs can help you to arrange a fun packed shoot on their beautiful ranges that’s guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of everyone involved. You’ll be especially happy, because you can get discounts for bringing along a larger group. You can choose how long you want the experience to last, with options from 1 hour to a full day with snacks and drinks included.

If you’ve been on a stag or hen shooting do and you liked what you saw, or if you’ve never held a gun before but you want to know what it’s all about, you can take part in a have a go session. The focus is still on enjoyment, but during the shoot, around 1 hour, you’ll have the chance to think more about the technique, learn more about the pursuit and make up your mind about whether you’d like to take it up seriously. We’re confident that you will, and so the next logical step is to organise some lessons at one of the shooting ranges in the Nottingham area. Lessons are usually 1 or 2 hours in length, and are the best ways to try out different shooting styles and increase your hit rate.

Requirements to do this activity

For some people, the mention of the word “gun” can set alarm bells ringing in their heads, but one visit to a charming and friendly outdoor shooting club in Nottingham is sure to win over anyone with doubts. This is a safe and inclusive sport, where the teams take full responsibility for safety and security. You don’t need a licence or your own gun, just treat the equipment and the grounds and the equipment with respect and you’re ready to have a good time.

Youngsters can also enjoy clay pigeon shooting. There are actually no legal age restrictions on this sport, the only limiting factor is the equipment that the particular club in Nottingham has. A small person needs a smaller gun, and at some ranges this means that children as young as 10 years old can have a go, whilst in others they’ll have to wait until they're a bit bigger, 12 or 14 years old depending on their stature, to take their first shots.

If you like the sound of that, make a booking now. If not, make a booking anyway and let this adventure surprise you.