I had always heard about the legendary Shooting Ground by Holland & Holland, so as soon as I had the chance to visit I didn't miss it. Landed at Heathrow airport, half an hour by taxi and I arrived at the shooting range, a lodge in the English countryside north east of London, about an hour's drive from Piccadilly Circus. As soon as I cross the threshold, surmounted by the sign with the factory logo, I am greeted by the staff, by the director Paul Shanahan and by the shooting manager and head of instructors Chris Bird, they explain to me how the structure is organized and what activities they carry out.
Upon entering, you are welcomed into a large hall where you will find the bar, English-style sofas and armchairs, an exhibition of accessories, clothing and windows with a selection of H&H rifles, double-barreled, over-and-under and express both new and used. Large windows overlook the shooting range giving a feeling of freedom and brightness to the entire environment.
On the opposite side, on the left of the entrance, there are the restaurant rooms, various rooms of different sizes, in the first there is an important wine display, where of course there is no shortage of labels of the Gussalli Beretta Cellars, Franciacorta, Chianti, Barolo and many others in addition to the best wines from around the world. The kitchen is equipped for both large events and for those who want to eat a quick bite, all of the highest quality, they introduce me to the chef who, to be sure, is Italian!
Moving on to shooting school, which is what intrigued me the most, I choose a rifle from over a hundred weapons, almost all Berettas, however, given where I am, I opt for a Holland & Holland over and under cal. 12 Sporting. Leaving the Club House, you are spoiled for choice, different paths, which cross perfect English lawns and flower beds, lead to an infinite number of positions, some more challenging with clays that simulate the various hunting situations, the grouse in two platforms dug into the ground like in a grouse moor and four clays of cross or point that cross as during a real hunt, the flash platforms where six shooters simultaneously shoot at 80 clays in bursts that fly over them in 180 seconds so as to simulate a drive to pheasants, the towers from which other clays of great heights are launched, both single and in pairs, the platform with the hares in which three plates run on the ground surpassing each other, where the lucky ones manage to take three with two shots and many other solutions to simulate all the various hunting situations.
Other easier platforms for those approaching shooting for the first time, slower targets and with not particularly challenging trajectories, finally also some platforms for the little ones, in England there are no age limits for shooting, H&H It also has specialized instructors in the shooting school for children, where the targets are easily hit even with small calibers.
I had to do the inspection for the organization of a competition for hunters and shooters, therefore with Chris Bird who in addition to being the head of the H&H shooting range is also considered one of the best instructors in the whole of England, so I tried 16 different platforms, 8 more challenging and 8 easier, following his advice I was able to see how important a good teacher is. 
Here it is not expected that customers can engage the platforms alone but you shoot only with an instructor who will also be responsible for safety and assist you in everything. Of course, being from Holland & Holland There could not be a lack of a dedicated rifle range where you can calibrate and test your rifles on an open-air 100-meter line.
While in the basement the Cine Shot, a shooting range where hunting scenes are projected on a giant screen, with animals ranging from wild boar to the Big Five. The peculiarity is that you shoot with real rifles and hunting ammunition, even in the largest calibers. 
As far as I'm concerned, I started with a simulated wild boar hunt by shooting with a H&H bolt action cal. 308, to then move on to a juxtaposed express in cal. 375HH for the Cape buffalo and finally the elephant, also in this case with a express H&H Royal model but in cal. 500 Nitro Express, a unique opportunity to try these wonderful weapons and for those customers who can afford them, an opportunity to test them at the time of purchase or before leaving for a safari.
Da Holland & Holland you can breathe hunting, everything is oriented to make guests feel at ease, combining modernity with the healthiest hunting tradition from across the Channel. The place is also used for events, parties, business meetings offering in addition to the internal rooms, for those who want, the possibility of trying their hand at a rifle, opportunities particularly appreciated even by those who have never tried, whether they are English or foreign.
It's an experience I recommend to anyone who goes to London and has some free time to dedicate to our passion, you will be welcomed with a smile to live an incredible experience.
www.hollandandholland.com/shooting-grounds
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