Visiting the London Gunmakers + London Recommendations for Mid-October 2023?

[alexaib]

I have visited Rigby, Purdey & William Evans. All nice but Rigby was exceptional because they took me back to the production floor to see doubles being hand made. If you're at all into English Shoes & Clothing you must go to Jermyn Street. It's all mens shops and well worth the time. Best shoes in the world for style and durability! Davidoff Cigar is also right around the corner. Many excellent Pubs to visit. The best is going on a Sunday. You must make reservations to have 'Sunday Supper' at one of them. Also a great experience. Then, the Abby is worth the time and Churchill's Bunker was also very interesting if your a Churchill, WWII buff. Last, Borough Market is a must. It's a spectacular outdoor market. Make sure you go hungry! And find the stand selling Sicilian Cannoli. Best I every had!

Already have Sunday Supper booked with some Londoner friends at The Horse & Guardsman!

 

[sierraone]

I want to go to W&R next time in London. Sounds like a great experience!

About a one hour and 15 minute train ride to Birmingham.

 

[ftrovato]

Already have Sunday Supper booked with some Londoner friends at The Horse & Guardsman!

Go with the Beef main course!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Personally I would like to dine at one of Mike Robinson’s (of Farming The Wild fame) restaurants. He has one in London called The Harwood Arms.

 

[SRvet]

If you have the time a visit to the Holland and Holland Shooting School to try out their shooting cinema.

Shooting Grounds

Holland & Holland is the very hallmark of fine British gunmaking and shooting.

www.hollandandholland.com

 

[Hunter-Habib]

In regards to gun shops, visit:
John Rigby & Co.
James Purdey & Sons
Holland & Holland
William Moore & Grey
Atkins Grant & Lang
E.J Churchill
Watson Brothers

If you can manage the time, I highly recommend a visit to Westley Richards in Birmingham. As well as A.A Brown (but they only manufacture shotguns).

In regards to clothing shops, visit:
Henry Poole
Anderson Sheppard
(For suits, trousers & tailored coats)

Turnbull & Asser
Budd
(For shirts)

In regards to restaurants, visit:
The Jugged Hare (excellent wild game dishes)
Blacklock Steak House (best Sunday roast)
Hawksmoor (best steaks)
Temper (best haute cuisine)
Honest Burgers (Best burgers)

 

[WAB]

If you have the time a visit to the Holland and Holland Shooting School to try out their shooting cinema.

Shooting Grounds

Holland & Holland is the very hallmark of fine British gunmaking and shooting.

www.hollandandholland.com

I have shot at H&H a number of times but have not used their cinema yet. A visit to the range is always a good idea!

 

[Foxi]

long story-short :
When I was a young lad, I had an English girlfriend.
After visiting her parents in Surrey, we went back to London and of course I wanted to pop into the "noble three" Holland and Holland,Purdey and Boss.
Holland and Holland was more of a fine clothing shop.
But Boss made the best workshop impression.
There was a very small,completely inconspicuous entrance door, you had to ring the bell to get in.
I don't remember exactly if it was at Purdey or Boss, the salesman had judged me correctly and told me that he couldn't afford a gun from that company either.
To my surprise, he pulled out the gun catalogue of a large German dealer, opened it and showed us a bolt action gun with the words: "I would buy this" and his finger pointed to a Steyr Mannlicher Luxus

 

[Hunter-Habib]

James Purdey & Sons in 1965.

 

[PCC600]

long story-short :
When I was a young lad, I had an English girlfriend.
After visiting her parents in Surrey, we went back to London and of course I wanted to pop into the "noble three" Holland and Holland,Purdey and Boss.
Holland and Holland was more of a fine clothing shop.
But Boss made the best workshop impression.
There was a very small,completely inconspicuous entrance door, you had to ring the bell to get in.
I don't remember exactly if it was at Purdey or Boss, the salesman had judged me correctly and told me that he couldn't afford a gun from that company either.
To my surprise, he pulled out the gun catalogue of a large German dealer, opened it and showed us a bolt action gun with the words: "I would buy this" and his finger pointed to a Steyr Mannlicher Luxus

Funny story but I went to H&H about 15 years ago . I was in jacket and tie . I had every intention of commissioning a Royal double rifle in 500NE . I had always dreamed of owning an H&H double rifle . I did not need to ask the price . I made an appointment and the gun room manager basically told me where to go - I am an Aussie . I was astonished and on reflection became very angry . I went up to Birmingham the next day and had one made by another maker . Then satisfied my yearning for an H&H by buying a little used Royal 375 Flanged Magnum from a mate in OZ and a bolt action 300H&H at Holts . Same thing happened to another Aussie mate of mine . No wonder H&H went broke.

 

[Foxi]

Funny story but I went to H&H about 15 years ago . I was in jacket and tie . I had every intention of commissioning a Royal double rifle in 500NE . I had always dreamed of owning an H&H double rifle . I did not need to ask the price . I made an appointment and the gun room manager basically told me where to go - I am an Aussie . I was astonished and on reflection became very angry . I went up to Birmingham the next day and had one made by another maker . Then satisfied my yearning for an H&H by buying a little used Royal 375 Flanged Magnum from a mate in OZ and a bolt action 300H&H at Holts . Same thing happened to another Aussie mate of mine . No wonder H&H went broke.

Yes, snootiness about one's supposed unique selling point has brought many down.
No girl, no matter how charming, is so beautiful that you can't kiss another one.
Foxi

 

[alexaib]

If you have the time a visit to the Holland and Holland Shooting School to try out their shooting cinema.

Shooting Grounds

Holland & Holland is the very hallmark of fine British gunmaking and shooting.

www.hollandandholland.com

We have a 9:00am lesson at the shooting grounds (my girlfriend is new to wing/clay shooting), followed by a reservation at the shooting cinema! Thank you for the recommendation, I am super excited!

 

[R eight]

I visited Rigby about 4 years back. Was a great experience. Got to see and handle some beautiful rifles.

Greenwich was also great to visit.