Since 1814, Purdey has been celebrated for producing some of the finest sporting guns in the world. But while our attention to detail and craftsmanship remain as obsessive as ever, our scope has grown significantly. Today, we offer a complete shooting experience – from expert instruction and in-field guidance to simulated shoots, exclusive events and sporting adventures around the world.
At the heart of it all lies a philosophy of sorts: our guns are made to be used. Whether on the moors of Yorkshire or in the valleys of Córdoba, a Purdey gun is the result of centuries of innovation, brought to life in the hands of a discerning shot. As Purdey Chairman & CEO Dan Jago says: “There’s little I enjoy more than watching a team of Guns shooting well on a day organised by our team. It’s something that, in a way, has been 200 years in the making.”
Exceptional shooting starts with exceptional instruction. At Purdey at the Royal Berkshire, just an hour from London, our team of seasoned instructors – including Pete Wilkins, Jack Britnell, Nigel Muir, and Matt Smith – deliver bespoke lessons shaped by decades in the field. They aren’t just teachers; they’re gun-fitters, countryside experts and passionate shots themselves with hard-earned wisdom from countless seasons.
Each session with them is tailored to your goals. Our new 100ft high tower means we can show some of the most challenging targets in the country – especially useful if you’re heading to the likes of Wales or the West Country to take on their famously high birds. The grouse butt set-up is also legendary. Transforming a lesson into an experience that emulates the real thing.
We also offer cutting-edge shot camera technology, which captures your performance in real time for immediate analysis. Combined with our uniquely detailed client records, this means any instructor can pick up where the last left off, ensuring continuity and progress at every visit.
This expertise goes well beyond the grounds too. Whether you’re heading to a Highland estate or shooting in Spain, we can provide on-the-day guidance in the field. That moment of advice – perhaps correcting your mount, adjusting your swing, or pointing out the impact of a stiff crosswind – could be the difference between frustration and perfection.
Purdey also hosts simulated game days at some of the UK’s most prestigious estates — Highclere Castle, Englefield, and West Woodhay House, to name a few. These days are crafted with imagination and technical precision to emulate the thrill of live game, making them ideal for sharpening skills, hosting clients, or simply enjoying a day in great company.
Looking further afield, the Purdey Sporting Agency offers bespoke trips to the very best sporting estates in Spain, Argentina, and South Africa – the ultimate luxury trips that give you exclusive access to places often closed to the public, and bring on the challenge of an exciting range of game. The quality of the sport on these trips goes without saying, and this quality extends to the food, the wine and the service too. Plus, there’s often more reliable weather than our beloved British conditions.
What defines a Purdey shooting experience is the same thing that defines our guns: care, craft and clarity of purpose. We are uncompromising in our standards, not just in gunmaking, but in how we plan events, teach clients and curate every detail of the shooting journey. Whether you're stepping onto the clay ground for the first time or travelling halfway around the world, the experience will always bear the same unmistakable and unparalleled Purdey hallmarks.
What's new at Purdey at the Royal Berkshire?
Fully reworked over the last year, Purdey at the Royal Berkshire offers a world-class sporting experience. Set in a beautiful chalk valley, surrounded by woods and spinneys, the grounds allow us to simulate every bird species you might encounter in the British field, or indeed abroad. “We have done a huge amount of work to create some of the best simulated game shooting in the UK. Over the last year we have added 10 more stands, bringing the total to 48. The majority of these are within our new ‘woodland range’, which also incorporates one of the highest clay towers in the UK. We still have our famous grouse butts, but can now offer practice on every type of game,” says Purdey Shooting Instructor Jack Britnell.
There are also increased conservation initiatives, including tree planting. The joy of this setup is that it’s far from fixed, with the team constantly switching things up to keep you on your toes. Before and after a shoot, guests can head to the newly built Lodge, where interiors have been designed by Purdey Creative Director Giles Deacon to reflect our rich heritage. From tuition debriefs, to long lunches and fireside chats, it’s a beautiful, welcoming and versatile space. You can pop into the Gun Room and Boutique while you’re there too, where the team are passionate shots themselves, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the sport and a skill for knowing exactly what you need to enhance your experience.
“It’s really very special,” says Alastair Heathcote, Purdey at the Royal Berkshire General Manager. “There is truly nowhere like it.”