Tradition & technology

Jasper Fellows visits the cinema to discover the history and targets offered at Holland & Holland’s Shooting Ground

- Jasper Fellows

In 1885, Holland & Holland introduced the Paradox Gun, a double-barrelled side-by-side with two inches of rifling to allow for the accurate use of shot and solid projectiles. The gun combined the best of fine British gunmaking tradition with technology to create something truly unique.

Almost 150 years later and Holland & Holland is still combining innovation and tradition here at its Northwood shooting ground.

“Holland & Holland has had a few shooting grounds since the 1880s,” explains Paul Shanahan, the ground’s general manager. Our current venue opened in 1932, and it’s still going strong.”

Heritage

Holland & Holland’s history can be felt in the clubhouse, with its dark leather furnishings and mahogany display cases showing off some of the company’s finest pieces. But out on the grounds, modernity is at the fore.

“In 2017 we had a huge refurbishment; we renovated both the clubhouse and grounds. We gave our grouse butts a facelift, renewed our existing high tower and built a new one, created our indoor shooting cinema and paid great attention to our 60 acres. We’re continually planting trees and wildflowers to create natural wildlife habitats and improve our sustainability credentials,” Paul says.

Holland & Holland’s dedication to continual improvement can be seen in its extensive English Sporting course. “The course features 50 stands and 140 traps,” explains Paul. “We host the Holland 100 Sporting competition on the first Tuesday of each month. Head instructor Nathan Dudley goes to great lengths to set the course to challenge the most advanced Shots.