The INEOS Grenadier Roadtrip Ep.1: Studley Royal

There’s rarely a truer fact than ‘all of the best plans start in the pub’. This year, after a couple of swift ones in the Gunmakers after a heavy first day at The Game Fair, Digby Taylor, George Browne and I hatched a plan for the ultimate UK sporting road trip.

The INEOS Grenadier roadtrip - the groundrules

Of course, we weren’t all in agreeance at once for locations, logistics nor quarry species – far from it – but we did manage to set some hypothetical ground rules pretty quickly. All of the locations must have great conservation credentials, testing topography and terrain, great ghillies and gamekeepers to match, and a healthy surplus of quarry species.

Indeed, we would need a few things in order to turn it from just empty pub talk to reality. For starters, generous land owners or agents – GunsOnPegs can of course call upon great contacts for that. Enough kit and caboodle to take on all challenges – easy between us avid sportsmen. 

And of course a big consideration: a vehicle with fantastic on- and off-road capabilities and space to fit two 6ft 5 men, George and his fedora (or is it a wide-brim?) [. The answer to the latter became abundantly obvious as a billboard flashed up with an INEOS Grenadier - itself named after the London pub in which it was conceived - caked in mud and up to the wheel arches in a river: perfect!

By 10am the next morning, a surprisingly sprightly Digby had managed to beat the crowds and present our ideas to the INEOS Automotive team on their stand. In a nutshell, they agreed for us to have a Grenadier for a week in late November. It was on.

Perfect timing

This meant grouse would still in season; pheasants, partridge and wildfowl all in full flow; we would catch the very end of the salmon season on selected rivers; roe does were in and other species in the fur. It also transpired the vehicle loan would conclude on the day of the GunsOnPegs Christmas walked-up shoot. 

Unfortunately, only Digby from the GunsOnPegs team could actually make the six days prior, so the rest added their twist and upped the ante for the voyage: Digby and I would need to provide the ingredients for the shoot day lunch – enough to feed eight, plus beaters and co – which would be cooked by a chef from Weber.

The mammoth task of logistics aside, Day One came around pretty quickly, and we were fortunate to be shooting at the wonderful and very historic Studley Royal shoot in North Yorkshire. Owner Julian Fenton, who took over running the estate when his father passed away in 2022, was keen for Digby to see first-hand the stunning Victorian parkland shoot and wildlife haven, so he had arranged for him to shoot in his place on the first drive.

Exclusive Grenadier fieldtest

With the Grenadier just going into full production at the time of our trip, the team at INEOS Automotive rather excitingly provided us with one of their late prototype vehicles. It had everything we could ever need, from the six-litre straight six engine, all-terrain Goodrich tyres, a fitted roof rack with Batwing awning, camping pod to rod holder attachments. Their tagline is “Built on Purpose”, and it is clear that it has been designed with such trips in mind.

As we arrived at the shoot from our starting point of the Cholmeley Arms in Lincolnshire, the off-roader certainly piqued the interests of the shooting party and delayed the briefing. After peeling away the 4x4 enthusiasts of the group and letting them return to their own steeds, we made our way through the gates of the deer park and to the first drive, Brown Cow.

Studley Royal: shooting heritage and conservation credentials

As Digby unslipped his 100-year-old side-by-side, suitable for use with Eley’s Grand Prix Steel Cartridges, I was able to learn a little more about the shoot from Julian. “While the history of the estate dates back to 1132 when the monks established Fountains Abbey – which is a beautiful backdrop for shoots on a Friday only,” Julian explains, “shooters will be most interested to know that the 2nd Marquess of Ripon – referred to as one of the greatest shots of all time – called the estate his home."

“The shoot spans over 4,000 acres, and throughout the parkland and ancient woodland we have really tried to encourage great habitats for wildlife and retain our variety of wildflowers which is one of the largest in the country. We have planted bracken and other plants, many more broadleaf trees, provided feed when birds need it, and have really kept on top of the grey squirrel population and other predators for the better of gamebirds, tree-nesting birds, woodcock and more.”

Managed with love

“I employ three full-time gamekeepers across the estate to manage it all, so without shooting it simply wouldn’t be possible,” admits Julian. In addition to this, the estate has moved from lead to non-toxic shot only ensuring meat is accepted into the food chain. 

Wild ducks can be found on the water in various locations, and woodcock are not shot on the estate to help declining numbers. Out of passion, he even maintains the River Skell which runs through the estate to ensure the healthy population of indigenous wild brown trout thrives.

Back to the shooting, a couple of good right-to-left crossers presented a few challenging chances of ticking the brace of pheasant off our ingredient list for Digby. Which he duly did, requiring only a handful of cartridges. Behind us, picker-up Sarah with son Ned strapped to her back, completed the retrieving duties with her entertaining pack comprising of spaniels, a pointer and a poodle called Nancy.

Off-roading in the Grenadier

Next, instead of watching the next drive, Julian tasked us with taking the ‘scenic’ route to set up elevenses. The route included some challenging and rugged terrain, a ford in Mackershaw Wood, slippery high-gradient slopes and some considerable ruts.

But the Grenadier glided through them effortlessly and with a satisfying rumble of the straight-six. Hence, we waited for some time for the team to meet us at the rendezvous point.

Hearing more about our British safari over elevenses, a very generous Julian arranged for Digby and me to back gun on the third drive and add another brace or two to the bag, to prevent turning up with an inadequate supply to the Christmas shoot lunch. Or maybe it was because he thought our ambitions were too high to shoot or catch the other quarry species in the upcoming days? Either way, The Oaks (drive 3) was fantastic. Quality birds in not too high a volume in a quintessentially British setting. Perfect.

We joined the team for a relaxed BYO lunch in the Dovecote, no longer home to doves, but converted into a lovely shoot lodge with a welcome wood burner. A record of the Marquis of Ripon’s hunting activities over the years prompted much conversation among the Guns: more history of the estate, favourite drives, memorable days and back again.

“I’ve heard so much about this shoot and wanted to visit for years,” Digby begins. “Grand gates, abbeys, ruins, stunning autumnal woodland and rivers that are inspiring even in November all lived up to expectations. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Studley Royal has to be a contender for the most beautiful estate in the country.”

“Plus, I’ve loved the relaxed atmosphere and the BYO food and drink. Too often shoots can focus too much on hospitality, losing sight that we are lucky to be in the outdoors, enjoying each other’s company and the privilege of being able to shoot.”

It was our time to depart to Dryburgh Abbey in the Borders, excited for Day 2.

: 6 pheasants: 255

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