Royals break clays at Purdey’s reopening

Royal reopening at The Royal Berkshire

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have reopened James Purdey & Sons’ shooting grounds at The Royal Berkshire near Ashampstead, following a nine-month refurbishment. The 65-acre site, 50 miles west of London, now has upgraded shooting stands across valley and woodland, including what Purdey says is the UK’s highest clay tower.

The royal couple visited on 27 October and shot clays with a pair of guns once owned by Tom Purdey, now displayed at the grounds. They unveiled a plaque marking the reopening.

The facility stayed open throughout the building work, which brought new stands, video feedback kit for analysing shots and a revamped lodge. Fashion designer Giles Deacon, appointed Purdey’s creative director in 2024, handled the interiors.

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A long-standing royal association

The visit echoed the late Duke of Edinburgh’s long association with Purdey. He received a pair of Purdey shotguns as a wedding present from King George VI in 1947 and opened the gunmaker’s Hammersmith factory in 2015.

Purdey boss Dan Jago said: “It was an enormous honour to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to our fully reworked shooting grounds. This builds on our foundations and heritage to offer the best game and clay shooting experiences in the world.”

Purdey bought the Royal Berkshire site in April 2018. It caters for corporate days, charity events and private shooting parties, with the grounds set across typical English countryside that offers varied shooting drives.

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