Shooters on the covered DTL stands at the North of England Clay Target Centre on a sunny day, with the grass bank behind
Blog · Clay Shooting

North of England Clay Target Centre: Home of the Best DTL in the UK

Why shooters travel from across the country to Rufforth, York, for one of the finest clay shooting grounds in the North.

Speciality
DTL
Affiliation
CPSA
Location
York

Tucked away on Tinker Lane in Rufforth, just a few minutes west of York, the North of England Clay Target Centre has built a reputation as one of the very best clay shooting grounds in the North of England. For Down The Line shooters in particular, it's widely regarded as one of the best DTL venues in the whole of the UK.

Whether you're a seasoned competitor chasing a straight 100, or a newly licensed shooter looking for a ground to call home, here's what makes the centre so special.

Shooting stations at the North of England Clay Target Centre
Competition-standard stations at the North of England Clay Target Centre

Why We're Known for the Best DTL in the UK

DTL is one of the most popular clay disciplines in Britain, and it rewards consistency above everything else. That means the quality of the ground matters enormously: clean backgrounds, reliable traps and properly set targets are what separate a good score from a great one.

At the North of England Clay Target Centre, DTL is at the heart of what we do. Our layouts are maintained to a consistently high standard and our targets are thrown faithfully to the rules for every shot.

Purpose-built DTL layouts

Our Down The Line layouts are set up to competition standard, with consistent, well-presented targets that let you focus on your technique and your score.

CPSA registered competitions

We host a full calendar of CPSA registered DTL, Sportrap and All Round shoots, open to members and non-members alike.

Claymate across the ground

Our self-operated Claymate system is installed across the entire shooting ground, giving you freedom to shoot at your own pace on a great variety of stands.

A friendly, welcoming club

From county-level competitors to those shooting their first registered round, everyone gets the same warm Yorkshire welcome.

One of the Best Shooting Grounds in the North

While DTL is our speciality, the centre offers a full range of trap and sporting disciplines, making it a complete shooting destination for the North of England.

DTL (Down The Line)

Our flagship discipline. Shooters move across five stations behind a single trap house, with targets thrown away at varying angles. Simple to learn, endlessly challenging to master.

Skeet

Fast-paced crossing targets launched from high and low houses, testing your swing and timing from eight stations.

Sportrap

Sporting-style targets on a compact layout, simulating real field scenarios with varied trajectories, speeds and presentations.

ABT (Automatic Ball Trap)

Targets launched at random angles and elevations from a single oscillating trap. Sharp reactions are essential.

CPSA Registered Competitions

As a CPSA affiliated ground, we run regular registered shoots throughout the year, including DTL, Sportrap and All Round competitions. Registered scores count towards your CPSA classification, so it's the perfect place to measure your progress against shooters from across the region.

Clay Pigeon Shooting Association logo

All shoots are open to members and non-members. Check the full fixture list on the CPSA website.

More Than Just Shooting

A great day's shooting is about more than scores. Our clubhouse is the perfect spot to warm up with a brew before your round and compare cards with friends afterwards.

And because we sit alongside Yorkshire Activity Centre, there's plenty to keep non-shooting friends and family busy too, from quad biking and archery to axe throwing.

Plan Your Visit

Location

North of England Clay Target Centre
Tinker Lane, Rufforth
York YO23 3RR

Opening Hours

  • Wednesday: 9:30am - 3:00pm
  • Friday: Call to check
  • Saturday: 9:30am - 3:00pm
  • Sunday: 9:30am - 2:00pm (competition booking only)

Please note: all shooters must present a valid shotgun certificate when registering at the shooting ground. New to clays? Try our instructed clay pigeon shooting experiences – no licence required.

Come and Shoot the Best DTL in the UK

Visit the North of England Clay Target Centre and see for yourself why shooters keep coming back.