Bisley Shooting Ground

BSG was formed in the early 1990’s, but it was not until the turn of the century it developed into the largest sporting clay ground in Europe.

The colonial clubhouse has a wonderful history. It was originally built in 1865 on Wimbledon Common, where it was the Council Club headquarters of the Councillors, one of whom, by coincidence, was my great grandfather, who advised the government on the future of musketry.

As Wimbledon village grew it became clear that the ranges posed a real danger, and an unfortunate grave digger met his end when struck by a bullet between his shoulder blades. The deciding moment however, for the move of the ranges, came when a local MP received a bullet through his top hat!

The ranges were moved down to Bisley in 1895, and the clubhouse was taken down and moved to Bisley that year. Interestingly when they rebuilt it, they found, close to completion, that they had rebuilt it back to front! They decided to leave it as it was and today it is impossible to detect this Victorian blunder.

By this time musketry had given way to rifles, and the role of the Councillors was no longer required, and the clubhouse became an Officers Mess. It fell into disrepair but was fully refurbished between 1995 and 1998, to create a unique blend of history, with all the memorabilia, and the comfortable relaxed style of a country clubhouse.

Anthony Roupell

Director