Key Highlights
- Phoenix Rifle Club is a short hop from Cowbridge, based in a 200m former railway tunnel on Barry Island, within the Vale of Glamorgan.
- Sessions run regardless of weather, since the whole range sits inside the tunnel.
- Shooting distances run from 10m through to 200m, covering air rifle, .22LR, and full-bore calibres up to .338 Lapua Magnum.
- We’re a members’ club rather than a commercial experience-day venue, so access runs through specific routes depending on your situation.
Introduction
If you’re in Cowbridge or elsewhere in the Vale of Glamorgan and looking for a shooting range nearby, Phoenix Rifle Club sits within the same county, based in a 200m tunnel range on Barry Island. How you get involved depends on whether you already hold a Firearms Certificate, you’re a new adult shooter, or you’re hoping to bring a child along.
Getting to Phoenix Rifle Club from Cowbridge
Cowbridge and Barry Island both sit within the Vale of Glamorgan, connected via the A48 and local roads through the county. For Cowbridge-based shooters, it’s a straightforward trip without needing to head into Cardiff or further afield.
A Members’ Club, Not a Walk-In Experience Day
Phoenix Rifle Club doesn’t operate like a commercial experience-day provider. There’s no walk-in booking system — every visit happens through one of a few specific routes, built around membership, safety, and firearms law.
If You Already Hold a UK Firearms Certificate
Existing certificate holders travelling from Cowbridge can book a visitor session for £30, covering up to 3 hours on the range, subject to a maximum of 3 visits before membership becomes the route for continued access. You’ll need your certificate, proof of insurance, and your rifle safely bagged with the breech open. Full detail is on our visitors page.
If You’re New to Shooting
Without a certificate yet, the route in is membership rather than a single taster session. New members are interviewed by the Club Secretary and complete induction training before shooting under supervision with club-owned rifles, working toward their own Firearms Certificate. Adult membership is £250 per year, paid by bank transfer — see our membership page for the current process.
What You Can Shoot
Distances run from 10m through to 200m, supporting air rifle, .22LR rimfire, and full-bore calibres up to .338 Lapua Magnum, with subsonic .50 BMG available subject to Range Conducting Officer approval. Benchrest precision shooting, Mini Rifle sessions, and full-bore competition are all catered for inside the tunnel.
Conclusion
For Cowbridge and Vale of Glamorgan-based shooters, Phoenix Rifle Club’s tunnel range on Barry Island is a weatherproof option within the same county. For a closer look at what a first visit involves, see our walkthrough of a first visit, or browse our South Wales indoor range overview. Get in touch and we’ll point you toward the right route in, whatever your experience level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Phoenix Rifle Club from Cowbridge?
Phoenix Rifle Club is based on Barry Island, reachable from Cowbridge via the A48 and local roads within the Vale of Glamorgan.
Can I just turn up for a one-off shooting experience?
No — we’re a members’ club, not a commercial experience-day venue. If you hold a UK Firearms Certificate, you can book a £30 visitor session. Without one, membership is the route in.
Is the range indoor or outdoor?
Indoor — a 200m former railway tunnel, so sessions run regardless of weather.
What can I shoot at Phoenix Rifle Club?
Distances from 10m to 200m, covering air rifle, .22LR, and full-bore calibres up to .338 Lapua Magnum.
Can I bring my child from Cowbridge for a taster session?
Mini Rifle sessions for children are restricted to the friends and family of existing members rather than open to the general public. Get in touch and we can point you toward the right route.