Introducing WLSS
The West London Shooting School (WLSS) is the UK’s oldest independent shooting school. We have been offering expert tuition and gun-fitting for well over a century in beautiful surroundings a mere 12 miles from London’s West End.
About West London Shooting School
A century of shooting excellence
We have been proud to welcome many generations of clients to the School over the last 118 years and look forward to welcoming you.
Our History
The West London Shooting School was founded in 1901 by Richmond Watson. With the sport enjoying unprecedented popularity in Edwardian England, he identified a need to improve accuracy and style, together with correct gun-fit.
The School was originally based at Perivale, where the Hoover Building now stands, but vacated this site in 1931 when the A40 Western Avenue was built and took up residence at its current home in Northolt. The School remained open throughout the Second World War and in 1947 sporting champion Percy Stanbury (Stan) followed up a distinguished wartime career by becoming head instructor and manager, remaining until his retirement in 1970.
The distinctive style of shooting and tuition developed by Richmond Watson and Stan, encouraging beginner and established shot alike to progress and develop their own style, has been continued by Mark Heath and our team of instructors, who combine Stan’s basic principles with techniques from other mainstream sports, particularly tennis and golf.
The School has been closely involved in clay shooting since its inception and hosts both a FITASC series and a major competition annually, staging the British Open Sporting Championship from its inception until the 1980s.
Whilst the layout of the shooting grounds is essentially the same as it was in the 1930s, many improvements have been made, including the use of bunding to increase safe capacity and to accommodate popular corporate layouts. The number of traps has steadily grown to over 100 to cover all types of sporting targets and also to allow the development of the FITASC and sporting courses, usually shot over 100 clays with a guide.
Our Team
The Richmond Watson family have continued to run West London Shooting School since its opening in 1901, with its third generation at the helm currently. The family heritage and passion for shot gun and rifle shooting can be seen throughout the lodge and grounds. With over a century of professionalism and constant dedication to the shooting industry, West London Shooting School has continued to thrive and has remained at the forefront of British shooting.
Reception
Diane Wade
Diane is a long-standing member for the West London Team, having worked at the shooting ground for over 20 years. She has had the honour of shooting for England on two occasions and is known from time to time give shooting lessons on the school grounds. She is has a love for fly fishing, however has not lost her passion for shotgun shooting.
Corporate
Chris Da Camara
Chris is our Head of Corporate Events and Marketing who, where possible, likes to add a touch of creativity into the events he plans. Joining as a graduate in 2016, Chris has since established himself into an integral member of the Corporate Events team. Understanding of the client objective is key to making sure that perfect events are achieved every time.
Simulated
Roger Bryan
Roger is a very experienced game and clay shot. He has represented his county at both sporting and DTL and visited many of the countries prestigious game shoots. His ability to instruct methodically and calmly produces impressive results.
Bernard Moss
Bernard is a third generation keeper and has been the Head Keeper on three well known estates. On reaching retirement age, he handed over the Head Keepers reins to his son, Richard. His other son, also named Bernard, is the Head Keeper on a renowned Yorkshire grouse moor. He therefore has a vast experience of shooting from every dimension, and is a very experienced driven game and pigeon shooter.
Restaurant
Anne-Charlotte Fauny
Testimonials
Viking Arms Journalist Rifle Day
Viking Arms hosted a successful Journalists Rifle Day at West London Shooting School in 2024. The team at WLSS put on a first class event with significant effort being made to ensure the day was sucessful. Every detail was considered and the School delivered a quality event without fuss. From meet and greet at the start of the day, through to an impressive lunch time BBQ. The team at WLSS were very helpful, approachable and exceedingly knowledgeable whilst ensuring the highest safety standards both on the range and throughout. We highly recommend West London Shooting School for its facilities, staff and professionalism.
Viking Arms (Corporate Event)
29th September 2024
VolkerFitzpatrick Dickson Afternoon Shoot
Thanks very much for a great day yesterday, everyone really enjoyed it and are still talking about it.
VolkerFitzpatrick (Corporate Event)
23rd October 2024
Pitchbook Shoot Meeting Event
Firstly, wanted to say a massive thank you for all your help with making this event a success. Everyone at WLSS was super friendly and helpful and Gemma was great!
Everyone had a super fun day despite a bit of rain and the set-up of the marquee really suited the aesthetics of the day with the lights and the log burner. It’s a great addition.
Pitchbook (Corporate Event)
28th October 2024
Eric Thornton Gunfitting
Since I had the gun fit and lesson my shooting has improved immeasurably giving me some fantastic shooting days all for the cost of four driven Pheasants once again thanks to Alan for his advice and expertise.
Eric Thornton (Private Client)
19 October 2023
Laura Harrison Private Tuition
Thank you for a really great day shooting yesterday. You and your team were perfectly well organised and Mark was a great instructor!
Laura Harrison (Private Client)
19 October 2023
Sam Chapman Instruction in the field
Thanks for the coaching last week, shot better than I have in my life on Tuesday at Queensberry Estate. Some very high pheasant and some very fast partridge, great fun and I shot some cracking birds. Thanks for the top tips.
Sam Chapman (Private Client)
19 October 2023
Our partners
