Should I buy this experience?
Who it's for
Archery is for everyone! It’s one of the most inclusive sports we have on our books. Experiences are easily adapted to different ages and abilities, so everyone can have fun shooting arrows!
Who it's not for
Some centres do no cater for very young children, but apart from that, we really do think having a go at archery is for anyone.
Archery experiences FAQs
What do these archery voucher packages include?
Our archery packages include everything you need to get started as a hot-shot archer. That’s to say, a bow suitable for your size, arrows and any protection needed. Experiences also include coaching from an instructor at the archery range, with targets to shoot at too!
Is archery suitable for kids?
Yes. Many archery operators have lighter bows suitable for children. They may offer sessions specifically for kids of younger ages, whilst older children and teens (typically from 8 years) can join in with main family/adult archery sessions.
What sort of bows are used for target archery?
Most venues use modern recurve bows for their beginner experiences. Compared to longbows or crossbows, they are the easiest to handle, not too heavy, yet powerful enough to send your arrow straight and true!
Are archery experiences based on the number of arrows?
Yes. In most cases, vouchers give you a certain number of arrows to shoot. In general, 25 arrows will take around 30-minutes, 50 will be an hour and so on.
Are these archery sessions indoors or outdoors?
Both. Lots of shooting ranges are outdoors, with the areas where you stand to shoot being covered, making them suitable in most weathers. There are also indoor ranges specifically for archery shooting too.
What sort of targets will I be aiming at?
Targets are mostly the round rings printed on paper (actually called the 'face') that are attached to a 'boss', a straw or foam stuffed backing that supports the sheet. You might also shoot arrows at 2D animal-shape targets for more of a hunting-themed challenge.
Will I even hit the target?
Maybe not at first. Part of learning archery is watching your first couple of arrows whizzing past the target and flopping unceremoniously on the ground. But with the help of your instructor, you’ll soon be on target.
Why is archery so much fun?
Nothing beats the satisfaction of the ‘thud’ of your arrow landing firmly in the target. It’s also a relatively easy sport to get into, without hours and hours of training needed to even shoot your first arrow.
What are the maximum group sizes for archery sessions?
Depending on the location and facilities, group sizes can be from 2 - 20 archers, with some venues offering one to one lessons as well. The breakdown of group sizes and lesson durations is in the full details of each archery experience page.
What makes a good archer?
You need to steady yourself on the stand, control the excitement and keep progressing to become a fully fledged toxophilite. These experiences give you a great introduction to the sport of archery - and who knows, you may take it up as a hobby?
What is ‘nocking’ all about?
Ah yes. Archery does have its own rather funny lexicon. The nock is the notch in the ‘feathered’ end of the arrow (called the fletching) that you load onto the string of the bow. This process is called nocking the arrow, ready for you to pull back the bow and release!
Are the sessions run as competitions?
No. Although archery is indeed an Olympic sport, these sessions are run for fun. Having said that, there's no denying archery will bring the competitive spirit out in you. As soon as you start regularly hitting the board and then continually getting closer to the hallowed golden circle, it is sure to get the adrenaline flowing.
How are archery competitions scored?
If you were partaking in a spot of competitive archery, you score points according to where your arrows land on the target. There are 10 rings divided into white, black, blue, red and yellow, with each one carrying a number of points between 1 and 10. And, fact fans, the smallest gold ring in the middle isn't the bullseye it's actually the x-ring. In competitions this doesn't give you more points, but it is used to settle draws.
How do you shoot an arrow?
Here are our top tips for budding archers. Go with the flow when it comes to which hand you hold the bow with and which hand you use for pulling back the arrow. Use whichever feels more comfortable, then stand at 90 degrees to the target. Nock the arrow (i.e. when you clip the arrow onto the bow), then close your eye (the left one if you are using your right hand to release the arrow and vice versa), pull back past your cheek, keeping your elbow nice and high, then release!
How far do arrows go?
Arrows travel at speeds of up to 60m per second and can hit targets anything up to 90m away. For these experiences the targets tend to be around 25m away from you.
Where I can have a go at archery near me?
We have got loads of fantastic archery centres around the UK ready to welcome you and get you shooting your very first arrows. Often the settings are truly lovely too, with centres situated in picturesque woodlands, forests and farm lands - the perfect backdrops for that Robin Hood or Katniss Everdeen moment. Current archery locations nationwide include:
- Norfolk
- Nottingham
- London
- Warwick
- Dartford
- Chelmsford
- Leeds
- Kirkcaldy
- Bristol
- Peak District
- Stoke on Trent
- Llangollen
- Manchester
- Leicester
- Powys
- Bury st Edmunds
- Sunderland
- Glencoe
- Kings Lynn
- Newcastle
- Blandford Forum
- Stevenage
- Edinburgh
- Frodsham
- Hook
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