WHAT? WHERE?

You’ll find High Lodge Leisure just off the A12 near Darsham, idyllically located on the edge of the Suffolk Coasts & Heaths AONB in Suffolk. The shooting facility was set up over 30 years ago by 14 times FITASC Sporting World, European and British Champion, John Bidwell, on a former golf course with 120 acres of grounds, woodland and lakes. Alongside clay shooting, other brilliant outdoor activities on offer here include archery, air rifle and fishing, plus there are lodges for anyone looking to stay in the area.

The main hub of activity is the barn-style clubhouse, which is a complete Tardis with a large café and shop and there’s even a huge function suite out the back for weddings and events. Outside there’s an outside seating area, which is heavenly on a warm sunny day and allows you to watch any archery events or lessons going on. Considering it’s a shooting facility, so the sound of guns going off is a regular occurrence, it’s a really tranquil setting.

THE VIBE

Worried shooting is all posh men in tweed waistcoats and flat caps? Think again. There was a whole range of people enjoying the activities here – both men, women and kids over 10. Obviously there was some tweed on show, and you can get the look yourself in the shop if you want to, but I felt quite at home in my jeans and trainers and there was a really welcoming atmosphere from the off. There’s been a real rise in the number of people taking up shooting recently, and I can see why. It’s a lovely group activity, you can see progress quickly and if you’re having a bad day it’s quite the tonic!

THE EXPERIENCE

If you want to feel good at something new straightaway then this is the place to come. My husband and I were close to hitting the bullseye after minutes of picking up our bows, which had everything to do with our amazing instructor and nothing to do with us having any sort of previously undiscovered talent! We were taking part in a taster session – 30 minutes of archery, 30 minutes of air rifle and 30 minutes of clay shooting, and after the fist half an hour I was happily imagining myself as Katniss Everdeen or Lara Croft! There are other packages on offer and the chance to just focus on one of the activities too.

All the instructors here are true professionals with years and years of competitive experience under their cartridge belts. Not only are they wonderful to watch in action, but they’re brilliant at imparting their tips and tricks to complete novices. My instructor took me from missing the target completely on my first go to whooping with joy as I hit the gold on archery or smashed a difficult clay to smithereens.

After a few rounds of archery – where a balloon was attached to the bullseye for us to try and pop, getting smaller and smaller each time (very addictive for competitive types like me!) – we walked over to the air rifle range.

I’ve never wielded a gun of any sort and was a little apprehensive, but oh boy was it fun to sit there like a sniper from a film and pick off targets in the field. There’s nothing scary about this sort of shooting. High Lodge Leisure perfectly bridges the gap of making it work for pros as well as tourists looking for an exciting activity.

There are lots of obstacles like bells and windmills set up to try and hit and you get such a buzz as you work your way round the targets. As a reward for our hard work we got to take home our target paper – turns out I’m not quite the sniper I thought I was!

We finished with the main event – clay shooting – which is the top attraction for most visitors to High Lodge Leisure. The shooting stands are located just behind the clubhouse in an enclosed wooded area, so some of the sound is absorbed by the trees. There are different levels of difficulty, with our instructor programming single clays to fly from the left or right, and then upping the ante to have two clays flying out at the same time. We both found this the most difficult of the activities, but I’m happy to report I hit more clays than I didn’t (although I can’t say the same for my husband!). It was such a good feeling every time one exploded.

Once you’re finished it’s back to the clubhouse for tea/ coffee, cake or a celebratory drink (obviously there’s no alcohol allowed before the activities). Sitting under the big Suffolk skies discussing our best (and worst) shots really made me realise that just lounging around with a book on holiday is overrated – I’ll be looking to learn a new skill every time.

PILLOW TALK

If you’re staying on the Suffolk Coast or are lucky enough to call this gorgeous part of the country home, you can just book in to High Lodge Leisure for a morning or afternoon. If you like the idea of a holiday with activities on the doorstep, a tranquil lodge complete with hot tub to stay in and an onsite café, all within easy reach of the Suffolk coast, then this is the place to stay.

There are both lake view and countryside view lodges to choose from, all run and managed directly by the family on site. We checked in to a one-bedroom water’s edge lodge overlooking the lake, and found it very spacious and relaxing.

There’s a choice of one, two and three bedroom options, with some being dog-friendly too, meaning there’s something for every types of staycationer on offer here.

It was a real treat just walking back to the lodge after the achievements of the day, watching the sun set over the lake before we enjoyed a gin and tonic in the hot tub. You can book a lodge here.

SCOFF & QUAFF

There’s a café on site where you can order home-cooked breakfasts and lunches throughout the week as well as homemade cakes and hot drinks. You can also buy alcohol once you’ve finished your activities, making it an ideal place for a civilised hen party or stag. After our stay in the lodge we enjoyed an al fresco full English breakfast at the café that really hit the spot.

If you’re staying at High Lodge Leisure for a few days you could mix up visits to the on-site café with a short walk down the main drive to the Two Magpies Bakery, a Suffolk favourite, that sells all manner of amazing baked goods, delicious home-cooked meals and coffee. There’s also the bake school at this site too, so once you’ve had your fill of shooting you could book in for a cookery course to learn another new skill.

We chose to combine the trip with a visit to Husk in Thorington, a brand new supper club, that was just a ten minutes away. You’re surrounded by excellent eating options in this neck of the woods. Some of our other top picks would be The Westleton Crown, The Ship in Dunwich, The Unruly Pig near Melton, The Queen’s Head, Bramfield and the many hotels and eateries in nearby Southwold.

KID-FRIENDLY?

Yes, children from 10 years old can take part in lessons and activities at High Lodge Leisure.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Sporty types, those who love the outdoors, anyone looking to try something new, and people who can’t sit still on holiday! It’s a brilliant place to book for families with kids over ten, as well as groups of hens, stags or friends looking for a getaway with activities.

Not for: People scared of loud noises or anyone looking for super high end lodge living on their holiday.

The damage: Lodges from £519 per week in high season. Clays cost £40 per 100 (non members), archery experience from £22 per person, air rifle lessons from £48pp. There are also memberships and group packages.

High Lodge Leisure Ltd, Haw Wood, Hinton, Nr Darsham, Suffolk, IP17 3QT

Tel: 01986 784347