Shoot Review: Gregynog Hall Shoot, Powys

Gregynog Hall is nestled into the Montgomeryshire countryside, now known as Powys, not far from the village of Tregynon, about half way between Welshpool and Newtown. The estate dates back over 800 years but the existing black and white house was built in the 1840s and was created to replicate the traditional black and white buildings of the area.  The hall itself is a bit of a fraud, in that the black beams are painted on to make it look like a traditional timber framed building, it is effective though and it looks magnificent as one passes on the way to the drives.

The Gregynog shooting is under the management of Bettws Hall Estates and for visiting guns the accommodation is superbly situated for the shoot. The buildings surround a magnificent, floodlit, fountain topped with bronze artworks of game birds. A far cry from the usual mid Wales tradition, but in keeping with the artistic history of Gregynog Hall. The accommodation and hospitality is absolutely first class, attentive in a friendly atmosphere sat around the log fire. Exactly the kind of welcome one requires to settle in for the evening and converse with the remainder of your party. The staff have the knack of putting everyone immediately at ease.

The Shoot

The pheasants come from Bettws Hall’s own hatchery, which is one of the biggest in the country setting over 7 million eggs a year. Drawing from their own game farm ensures continuity and standard of stock produced, retaining full control from laying through to showing the birds in a wonderful, historic setting. Steep, rolling topography is the basis of the shoot with wooded tops or banks to show the birds from. The first drives are within a few steps of the courtyard, the further drives require a short trip by motor through scenic countryside.

The Drives

Our first drive was only a few yards from the accommodation, literally set in the field opposite the entrance. Known as Vicarage this gives the guns their warm up to get eyes and fingers coordinated and consists of a steep hillside with mature trees atop from which the pheasants break at speed, heading for the far side of the valley behind the guns, with pickers up placed well back, some in the next field behind, such is the carry over of some of the birds.

Two of the drives were set in the ‘wern’ that is an expansive ancient streambed, marshy in places with bridges to cross the deep ditches that can be hidden by rushes, ready to trap the unwary. The birds are flushed from the ancient oak woods that march down the steep hillside to the edge of the valley floor, making for the opposite side at height and with a bit of the normally south westerly prevailing wind behind them, like rockets. With the guns lined out along the valley and the soft, winter light filtering through the trees the birds broke out in a constant stream of testing flight. Even without the wind and with the fog never really leaving us properly, there were still plenty of sporting targets to select, to satisfy the most discerning of guns.

Most days consist of 4 drives to produce a day of 300 quality birds, but some 200 bird days can be accommodated. Guns move up 3 pegs at a time to give proper circulation along the line. With a 12 drive repertoire to choose from there is plenty of choice to adjust for wind direction and ensure a decent day. The shoot is constantly evolving and developing to make the best of the topography and to give visiting guns the best value for money possible. It really is a 5* operation with many guns returning season after season.