Hoveton Hall (Norfolk)

“Hoveton Hall Estate covers 620 acres of parkland, gardens, woodland, arable and grazing land. This fine Regency Hall was built between 1809-1812 and has been owned by the Buxton family since 1946.” The estate now boasts a luxury B&B, cafe and beautiful gardens. However, while they state on their website that “Norfolk is perfect for walking, sailing or cycling” for other people Norfolk is where they go to kill birds. That website doesn’t appear to specifically advertise the fact Hoveton has a shoot, but a listing on GunsOnPegs states: “Our vision for Hoveton Hall Estate shooting is to provide an opportunity for families to shoot small numbers of birds, whilst staying in luxury accommodation for a reasonable price.” The “main quarry is pheasants” but “…a system of marshes, lakes and ponds set in the Norfolk Broads produces a wide variety of wildfowl. Predominantly Mallard, Gadwell [sic – that should be Gadwall, as every birder knows] and Greylag goose are shot but species such as Teal, Pochard and Tufted duck are not uncommon.” Pochard are Red-listed in the UK after a severe range contraction and listed as Vulnerable to extinction globally. But as long as shooters are comfortable…