Are you looking for a private clay shooting ground, and live near Reading or London? Purdey at The Royal Berkshire Shooting School is located a short 25-minute drive outside of Reading and is easily accessible from the M4 motorway. Surrounding the shooting school is 70 acres of scenic English countryside, perfect for a spot of shooting.
James Purdey, the founder of Purdey & Sons, was only 14 when he was an apprentice for the gunmaker Thomas Keck Hutchinson who was his brother-in-law at the time. Back in the day, the guns that were popular were the flintlocks, which young James was passionate about learning every aspect of their mechanics.
James soon completed his apprenticeship in 1805. In those seven years, he had flourished his skills enough to secure a job with Joseph Manton, who was the ‘King of Gunmakers’. Manton was known for having transformed the sporting gun into a thing of beauty. Commenting about his future successor, Manton remarked that James’s work was almost equal to his own.
Three years later, James had outgrown his position at Manton’s and later moved to join another famous gunmaker, Reverend Alexander Forsyth. Where he spent four years as a stocker and lock-filer, becoming Forsyth’s foreman.
In 1864, having mastered his skills, James set out on his own two feet building single and double guns, rifles, and pistols.
140 years since then, Purdey’s has remained one of the most famous gun manufacturers to have ever been made!
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Must Know Information About RBS
The Shooting School
The Royal Berkshire Shooting School offers some of the finest shooting across eight towers, three grouse butts, patterns plates, and nearly 100 traps that simulate a range of different birds, all of which are spread across a downhill valley. Upon each session that is booked, you will be accompanied by one of the shooting schools APSI qualified instructors. Together the instructors provide over 125 years’ worth of knowledge and experience, to help take you to your next levels of shooting. The coaches also specialise in tailoring each lesson to cater for novices and experienced shots, so there’s no need to worry about your capabilities!
*Please note – booking is required, and you will have a caddy accompany you during your pay-and-play session*
Lesson Prices
One-Hour Shooting Lesson
– Adult £115, Young Shot (Under 16) £65
*Price Includes VAT
The lesson includes gun hire, hearing & eye protection, as well as insurance.
A course of six lessons
Sign up and get your sixth lesson free.
- Individual adult: £575
- Individual junior: £325
- Shared adult: £700
- Shared adult & junior £600
- Shared junior £475
*Price includes VAT
The RB Beginners Course
- This is a course designed to build foundations for novices. This course will teach you the basics of gun safety as well as help you hit one of your first clays. This includes three one-hour shooting lessons with 50 cartridges, and clays per lesson (non-transferable) as well as a baseball cap.
- £400 (inc VAT) * Limited to one RB Beginners Course Per Person
The Ten/ Ten Challenge
- This is only exclusive to the experience shot. It consists of 100 clays which are shot over a course of 10 stands with a member of the RB team, they will be guiding and scoring.
The course changes every month and there are no restrictions as to how many times you can enter. The fee includes 100 clays, a scorecard, hearing & eye protection, along with all of the insurance. Extra clays can be brought subject to your time allocation, you are also welcome to provide your own cartridges although you will be charged a green fee of £7.50.
*Please note – you must be an experienced shot with your own gun and only Fibre Wad cartridges can be used.
Entry Fee
Individual – £75
Groups (two or more entries) £65 per person
*includes VAT
Prizes for the Ten/Ten Challenge
Top Gun – £150
Runner-up £100
The Driving Range
- Again, only open to the experienced shooter and is a course altered to put your skills to the test. The Driving Range consists of 100 clays shot over any of the current stands in the valley.
The fee includes 100 clays, a scorecard, hearing & eye protection, and insurance.
Cartridges can be purchased on-site, or you can bring your own for a green charge of £7.50. More clays can also be purchased.
Individual – £75
Groups (two or more entries) £65 per person
*includes VAT
Two-Hour Group Shooting Session
- Available to groups of four or more.
The fee includes gun hire as well as 50 clays and cartridges per person.
Adults – £150 per person
Juniors – £100 per person
*includes VAT
For more information and bookings:
[email protected] alternatively, call 01491 672900
Vouchers
Vouchers are available to purchase for any shooting experience or an amount of credit to spend at the shooting school. These can be provided as a printed copy or emailed, whichever is best for you.
Really Wild Clay Days
The Royal Berkshire Shooting School offers shooting on five very beautiful estates across home counties and Cotswolds; Englefield House, Highclere Castle, Kirby Estate, Farmcote Estate, and West Woodhay House.
Each estate is stunning as is however, combined with the use of manual traps your shooting experience it both realistic and uplifting.
Each of these events are accommodating to different levels, whether it be a single gun joining a syndicate day, to a full team or a large charity event each simulated day is guaranteed enjoyment.
Their Really Wild Clay Days run during February to October months.
What does a typical day look like?
You will begin the event with breakfast to ensure your day is fuelled by food if not excitement! Depending on which estate this event is being held, this could be at either the main house, a shooting lodge or a country pub. After your safety briefing, the first pegs will be drawn, and you will then set off to the first drive.
A normal drive has eight pegs, consisting of two guns to a peg. Each drive is then split so that one gun loads whilst the other shoots, this will alternate each drive that is shot. Each drive will simulate driven partridge, pheasant, and grouse.
After the second drive, you will then re-fuel for the afternoon ahead with elevenses.
Your third drive is where the friendly competition is held, where each gun battles for the title of Top Gun with the fourth and final drive being the ‘grand finale’. Each gun should expect to shoot anywhere between 250 and 750 cartridges, and it is entirely up to you how fast you’d like to go!
Finally, you will finish the day with a well-earned drink during lunch whilst toasting the winners.
Pricing
The Guns Day, £6,400.00 + VAT for 16 guests
This is the ultimate day of shooting and hospitality, with four drives for 16 guns. The price includes breakfast, elevenses, a champagne reception in the field, lunch, limited edition Purdey caps, hearing and eye protection for each guest, prizes for the top team and complimentary gun cleaning service.
The days are hosted at the following estates:
* Highclere Castle (Berkshire/ Hampshire border) (£595.00 +VAT premium for this location)
* Englefield Estate (Berkshire) (£595.00 +VAT premium for this location)
* West Woodhay Estate (Berkshire)
* Farmcote Estate (Cotswolds)
* Kirby Estate (Berkshire/ Hampshire border)
Additional Services:
Gun hire: £125.00 + VAT
Shooting instructor shared between two guests: £275+vat
4×4 Hire for up to five guests: £175+vat
Non-shooting guest: £90.00 + VAT
Cartridges are available at the prevailing tariff.
For more information and bookings:
Really Wild Clay Days | Purdey At The Royal Berkshire – Purdey Guns & Rifles
Corporate Events
When it comes to corporate events, it’s all about building relationships upon trust. Corporate experiences are a great way of doing exactly this! The Royal Berkshire Shooting School will pull out all of the stops to ensure every element of your itinerary and catering is taken care of.
Plan your perfect corporate package by viewing the current offers:
A Morning Shoot – Purdey Guns & Rifles
An Afternoon Shoot – Purdey Guns & Rifles
An Evening BBQ Shoot – Purdey Guns & Rifles
Meet & Shoot – Purdey Guns & RiflesA Full Day Shoot – Purdey Guns & Rifles
Not only will the shooting school provide these generous packages, but they will also create an event bespoke to your requirements. The team are never not happy to carry out even the wildest of themes, ranging from car displays, axe throwing and even duck-herding! Also on offer for corporate booking is their Really Wild Clay Days.
The Farmhouse
The Farmhouse, which is also located on the shooting school, is the perfect setting that features a crackling fire, and windows that can be opened to let in the fresh countryside air, and the sound of wildlife, all the while you’re holding your corporate meeting in the private dining area.
The Lutyens Farmhouse which has been recently refurbished, is available to book for up to 10 guests and serves a menu that has been inspired by local sources although, other options are happily catered for.
Included in your corporate package is the following:
- Unlimited complimentary teas and coffees
- Plasma screen/ projector/ flip chart
- Dial-in conference facilities
- Wi-Fi and HIPAA- compliant secure internet
- Baggage storage and changing facilities.
- A dedicated events manager
- Taxi booking services.
For all booking or more information:
01491 672900 or [email protected]
Charity Events
The Royal Berkshire Shooting School are proud to have helped charities such as The Prince’s Trust, Help for Heroes, and The Peter Jones Foundation. The shooting school have helped raise over 35 million over the course of 31 years!
Since the shooting school establishment in 1991, they’ve hosted Charity events in order to help organisations raise essential funds. Providing all of the supporters a memorable day whilst doing something meaningful.
The Royal Berkshire Shooting School ensures each Charity Shoot is as unique as the cause itself, by hosting up to 100 guests the shooting school design a variety of different types of shooting challenges for all participants.
For more information and bookings:
[email protected] alternatively please call 01491 672900.
Upcoming Competitions
Purdey at the Royal Berkshire Shooting School will host a series of CPSA Registered shoots in 2023.
These events will take place on:
- Summer CPSA Registered Shoot – Thursday 29th June
- Autumn CPSA Registered Shoot – Tuesday 19th September
- Winter CPSA Registered Shoot – Wednesday 13th December
All entries are priced at £55 to compete or £50 birds only and will also include complimentary teas, coffees, soft drinks, and sausage rolls (as well as mince pies during the Winter months).
All dates are currently available book and are welcoming of single guns as well as multiple squads and have mornings, lunchtimes, and afternoon slots free.
For more information on prizes and information:
CPSA Registered Competitions 2023 – Purdey Guns & Rifles
The Gun Room
The gun room, also located on the beautiful grounds at The Royal Berkshire Shooting School, stock a variety of new and used air rifles, rifles, shotguns and a selection of gun accessories. The gun room are better known for stocking side-by-sides and a wide selection of the finest guns on the market. Alongside the guns, the gun room have ammunition available to purchase for on site use or general practice elsewhere. They have also collaborated with Hull Cartridge Company in order to develop a new range of Purdey cartridges.
Furthermore, the gun room will offer gun storage for £22 per gun per month. The team at Royal Berkshire Shooting School will inspect and clean your firearms twice a year, all that’s left for you to do is arrive, shoot, and leave. All of your equipment will be taken care of.
However, before storing your gun with the gun room they ask that you read the UK Firearms Security Guidance. (LINK REQUIRED)
*Please note if you do not have your valid shotgun certificate and Firearms License with you, the gun room will not follow through with the exchange.
The gun room offers other services such as gun fit, servicing and repairs. They describe gun-fitting “as much an art as a science”. Their reasoning being that it provides the correct relationship between eye and muzzle by taking into consideration of an individual’s eyesight, build and technique of shooting.
Furthermore, the very skilled team in the gun room will help prepare your gun or rifle with a pre-season service or provide advice and recommendations you may need or want. The gun rooms post-season care will also help maintain your guns quality and shooting performance. Whatever it might be, the team are happy to share their passion and knowledge as part of their unmatched standard of customer service.
Please see the current gun servicing options below:
- Quick check & speedy service
- This includes one-hour check where the expert team will give your gun a full assessment before recommending any alterations or repairs.
- Maintenance service
- This includes a strip &re-regrease, strip & clean, strip & clean (heavy rust), tighten locks & pins, tighten action, regulate the ejectors, regulate triggers & pulls, and wet weather clearance. Although, they will provide a quote for more complex repairs and alterations.
- Strip & re-grease
- This consists of removing the lockwork and forend to perform a visual inspection of the gun. After this, any dirt or grease is cleaned before the components are re-greased. Finally, the gun is checked for firing correctly and a full test is conducted before it is returned to you.
- Strip & clean
- This process consists of a full assemble of the locks and forend and then a clean of any dirt of corrosion. A full mechanical inspection will also be carried out which includes the barrels. Your gun will then be reassembled with the pins adjusted where necessary and all components re-greased. Your gun will be tested before it is returned to you.
- Mechanical service
- The mechanical service is a senior strip down and inspection of your rifle and or shotgun. A report will be produced within two weeks which will suggest adjustments, repairs, or replacements to your gun.
They offer action jointing or repair, lock repair or replacement and fitting of new parts, ejector service, repairs or replacement and fitting of new parts, top lever adjustment and more.
- Barrel service
- A barrel service can be anything from a repair, re-black or providing a replacement set of barrels. During each repair, the team will look for any pitting, dents, bulges, or loose ribs. You will also have the option to request a full barrel inspection as part of a regular service.
- Stock service
- The gun room are proud to offer a complete range of stock services that include stock finishing, alterations, repairs, forend finishing/ repairs, alterations to measurements, extensions with wood, rubber heel pad or leather-covered heel pad. Additionally, they will fit a new stock to your existing gun when choosing one from their hand-selected walnut blanks. This will be shaped and fitted to your exact requirements.
- Engraving service
For more information, please see the link below or contact:
[email protected] or call 01491 672914
The Sporting Agency
The Royal Berkshire Shooting School also provide a Sporting Agency service that will invest in finding a shoot day tailored to your every need. Providing some fabulous shooting in the UK and abroad. Why not try shooting in Spain, Africa, and Argentina.
Shooting in the UK
The Sporting Agency currently offer:
Driven Grouse Shooting
- With access to the best moors in England and Scotland the shooting is unforgettable.
Season: 12th August to 10th December
Driven Partridge Shooting
- Whether you’re trying Partridge for the first time or are an experienced shot these days will certainly put your abilities to the test.
Season: 1st September to 1st February
Driven Pheasant Shooting
- These driven pheasants are some of the most popular game in the country and the shooting is steeped in history and tradition. All hosted on luxurious estates across the UK. They will also offer comprehensive Adverse Weather cover and third-party liability insurance at good rates.
Season: 1st October to 1st February
Services Include:
- Gun hire and cartridges
- Gun storage and transportation
- In-field instruction
- Transportation (including helicopters and private aircrafts)
- Events for non-shooting guests
- Accommodation booking service
- Tuition ay Purdey at the Royal Berkshire
For more information, visit:
Shooting In The UK | Purdey At The Royal Berkshire – Purdey Guns & Rifles
Shooting In Spain
Season in Spain: 1st September to 30th April
After a long day of enjoying the landscape and the game sunny Spain has to offer you will be provided with tapas spread accompanied by Spanish wines. Each trip is organised to the highest of standards.
Currently on offer to you:
La Caminera
Madrid
Your day will be set across a thousand hectares of stunning hilly terrain and located only two hours from the south of Madrid. La Caminera boasts a five-star hotel, a two Michelin star chef, a luxury spa, 18 hole golf course, and a 1500m concrete runway capable of landing all types of private aircraft.
Casasola Estate
Madrid
The Casasola Estate is located to the southeast of Madrid and is being watched by Spanish hunting legend Carlos Rua.
Fuensauco Lodge offers private accommodation for teams of guns. But there are also plenty of charming hotels in one of the neighboring towns, Chinchon or the city of Madrid.
For more locations in Spain and information please visit:
Shooting In Spain | Purdey At The Royal Berkshire – Purdey Guns & Rifles
Shooting In Africa
The range of species that can be found in South Africa are shocking.
From the Rock pigeon – which is best known for its speed and agility – to the guinea fowl, the African landscape provides some of the most refreshing shooting experiences.
For more locations information please visit:
Shooting In Africa | Purdey At The Royal Berkshire – Purdey Guns & Rifles
Shooting In Argentina
The Cordoba province in Argentina is known as being one of their premium locations for dove shooting and is certainly one to remember for its outstanding hospitality and world-class shooting.
For more information please visit:
Shooting In Argentina | Purdey At The Royal Berkshire – Purdey Guns & Rifles
Must Know Information About Purdey at The Royal Berkshire
Parking
Due to its large location and pre-booking policy, Purdey at The Royal Berkshire Shooting School has been able to manage their car parking facility so that there is always a spot for you. They have a sizeable gravel parking area with a small field adjacent, and for those traveling in style, or should we say by helicopter!
Purdey at The Royal Berkshire Opening Hours
Monday – 10:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday – 10:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday – 10:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday – 10:00am – 6:00pm
Friday – 10:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday –10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday – Closed
Bank Holidays – Closed
Contact Information For General Enquiries
T: 01491 672900
E: Shooting School – [email protected] The Gun Room – [email protected]
Purdey at The Royal Berkshire Address
Hook End Lane,
Pangbourne,
Reading,
RG8 8SD
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