Centuries ago, every Englishman (but not woman – sexual equality didn’t exist back then!) was required to practise using a longbow in case of war. It’s no longer law, but that shouldn’t stop you from picking up a bow and arrow. Archery is a great activity for anyone to try – it’s sociable, competitive, and feasible as there are many places where you can do archery in London. It’s a different way to celebrate an occasion so why not gather a few mates and make like Robin Hood and his Merry Men on a group session? You might not hit the target every time, but you’ll make some lasting memories – we promise.
1. The London Archers
Shooting since 1938, The London Archers club is equipped for field and target archery all year round – it has an excellent Summer field and an indoor range for perfect shooting training during the colder Winter months.
They welcome both beginners and experienced shooters who have a true passion for the sport and want to learn or improve their skills. They do require participants to be full club members – but they have very attractive fees which cover a full year’s membership and include the use of their facilities and shooting sessions. If you want to try your hand at this exciting sport before committing to membership, check out their have-a-go days in the Summer.
You’ll find the London Archers at Perks Field, Kensington Palace, Bayswater Road, London, W8 4PX during Summer, and at Holy Apostles Church Hall, 47 Cumberland Street, Pimlico, London, SW1V 4LY during Winter. Nearest stations are Notting Hill and Pimlico.
2. 2020 Archery
If you want to release your inner Robin Hood, 2020 Archery is a great-value place to do so. Born in 2008, this club offers fabulous indoor shooting sessions. They’re committed to the promotion of access to archery in London, so they try to encourage people who have fewer opportunities to practise sports to get involved. They are delighted to welcome anyone, whether for a single session or a longer course.
If you’re looking to get a bunch of friends, family or workmates together, check these guys out! They have three different event packages, ranging from a hour group lesson to a three-hour session culminating in a 30-arrow shoot-off with champagne prize. For something a bit more combative, have a go at archery tag, described as ‘dodgeball with arrows’. Yes, you get to shoot the rival team, but be assured, the only thing anyone will be struck with is something that resembles an oversize marshmallow (don’t try to eat it!). Stag or hen do to organize? Sorted!
You’ll find 2020 Archery at The Downside Centre at the Downside Fisher Youth Club, Coxson Place, Druid Street, London, SE1 2EZ and Harris Academy, 55 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, SE16 3TZ. Nearest station is Bermondsey.
3. Archery Fit
Founded in 2015, Archery Fit is a very convenient option for indoor bow-and-arrow shooting in London. The club is open seven days a week and has two ranges in its stylish, custom-designed premises. The club is committed to offering an unparalleled range of facilities and services to provide people of different ages and abilities with the best possible experience. They believe that the sport improves your confidence, hand-eye coordination and upper-body strength, in addition to your social skills.
If you’re a newbie with the bow and arrow, try one of the 90-minute classes, designed for beginners and coached in groups of a maximum of ten people. Four to six classes are run every day, so you can find a class time that suits you. You can also contact them for a work event or a party with your friends or family.
You’ll find Archery Fit at Hatfield House, Merryweather Place, London, SE10 8EW. Nearest stations are Deptford Bridge and Greenwich.
4. Experience Archery
If you’re looking forward to a memorable day with the bow and arrow in North London, Experience Archery will suit your needs. At their great indoor venue, they offer everything from weekly shooting lessons and courses for beginners, to party events for kids and corporate team-building sessions. One of their archery lessons for two people would make an unusual birthday gift.
The ‘have a go’ 60-minute archery sessions run from Monday to Friday. Lessons are taught in groups of a maximum of eight people to ensure everyone gets enough coaching and practice time.
You’ll find Experience Archery at Caxton House, 129 St John’s Way, London, N19 3RQ. Nearest station is Archway.
5. Southfields Archery Club
New to a bow and arrow? Aim for one of the Open Shoot sessions held weekly at Southfields Archery Club where the friendly team will teach you the basics at an irresistibly low price. Established in 2008 and based in southwest London, this thriving club has an ever-growing community of archers who shoot for leisure and competitively. They shoot both indoors in Winter and outdoors during the Summer.
The club shoots a wide variety of bow types, mixing the traditional with the state of the art. They provide practical support and advice to their archers to help them develop their shooting skills. They have different teams and sections for the differing skill levels of the archers.
You’ll find Southfields Archery Club at Aspire Centre, 337 Merton Road, London, SW18 5JU during the Winter, and at Oberon Playing Fields, Lindesfarne Road, Wimbledon, SW20 0NW in Summer. Nearest stations are Earlsfield and Raynes Park.
6. Elite Archery Coaching
If you love to strive for the highest standards, then Elite Archery Coaching is the right place for you. It’s run by a professional, skilled bowman who has been coaching since 2010.
Full training is given to beginners and competition archers on a one-to-one basis so that you can learn at your own pace and ensure effective progress. The aim is to develop a high level of both safety and shooting standards. The coach offers individual lessons, as well as other services such as corporate events, film shooting or school sports days.
You’ll find Elite Archery Coaching at King’s House School Sports Ground, Riverside Drive, London, W4 2SH. Nearest station is Barnes Bridge.
7. Archery Insight
Once you’ve caught the bow-and-arrow bug, there is no cure, claims Archery Insight! This traditional, welcoming club is committed to promoting the sport and they provide basic instruction and coaching for archers. The friendly group covers a wide range of abilities and shoots several styles. They also encourage people who use a wheelchair or are visually impaired people to join them.
The club offers one-day lessons at a reasonable cost. You can enjoy a two-hour class from Sunday to Tuesday. In addition, four-week beginners courses are also offered, with all equipment provided by the club.
You’ll find Archery Insight at Harris Academy for Girls, Lennard Road, Bromley, BR3 1QR. Nearest stations are New Beckenham and Penge West.
8. Enfield Archers
Active all year round at a large outdoor venue, the Enfield Archers welcome both beginners and advanced shooters, as well as visiting bowmen and women. The club occasionally runs beginners courses, as well as one-day sessions for individuals, couples and family groups aged 13 and above, which run over five weeks. However, no one-day shooting sessions are offered at Enfield Archers.
If you’re in the area, this is definitely a good place to improve your confidence and social skills through the learning and practice of shooting with a bow and arrow.
You’ll find Enfield Archers at Suffolk’s Primary School, Brick Lane, Enfield, EN1 3PU. Nearest station is Southbury.
9. Thomas Wall Archers
Archery has no age limit – Thomas Wall Archers is home to archers between nine and 83 years of age! This thriving club is an affordable option for those who have never held a bow before, with beginners courses running over a weekend. However, you must be available the whole weekend to complete the course. Their courses are for a range of mixed ages, making them a great choice for families who would like to take their first steps in this sport.
Thomas Wall Archers is an excellent place for learning the skills you need to become an accomplished shooter of arrows.
You’ll find Thomas Wall Archers at Green Lane, Morden, SM4 6SL. Nearest station is St. Helier.
10. Woodford Archers
Slightly further out of London this one, Woodford Archers have indoor and outdoor ranges to provide the best shooting lessons. The goal of this friendly club is to promote archery and introduce as many people as possible to this fascinating sport.
To achieve these goals, they run a promising beginners course and allow you to join the club as a full member afterwards. Nevertheless, there is a waiting list so it may take some time to get yourself started.
You’ll find Woodford Archers at Whitbread Sports Field, Durham Row, just off Durham Avenue, Woodford Green, IG8 7NJ. Nearest station is Woodford.
There are plenty of great options for practising archery in London as either a one-off activity or a lifelong pastime. Enjoy this sport solo or gather your pals for a bond-building session from any one of these incredible spots.