Wondering where you can try archery in London? With roots dating back over 70,000 years, archery is certainly one of the older sports - though over the last 10 years, it's become one of the fastest-growing sports trends in the UK and globally. And it's clear to see why; accessible classes for all ages, numerous clubs offering rental equipment, and a low-impact, full-body fitness workout, not to mention loads of fun, are making it one of the most popular new sports to try out.
From the serious and solo to fun-packed group days out, London’s got plenty of places to unleash some arrows. Whether you’re a mean shot or a beginner with a bow, there’s an archery club, lesson or experience here with your name on it.
Where To Try Archery In London
Archery Fit
- Location: Hatfield House, Merryweather Place, Greenwich, SE10 8EW
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 10am - 10pm; Saturday - Sunday, 10am - 8pm
- Price: coached sessions from £35
- Best for: groups, beginners, experts, lessons, introductory courses
- Why we recommend: I really like the vibe at Archery Fit. Its super stylish ranges are perfect for fun days out with your mates, as well as intro sessions to learn the ropes. Everyone here loves archery, and believe me, it shows
Founded in 2015 by husband and wife team Kate and Roman, Archery Fit serves up a range of arrow-flinging classes, seven days a week, in the heart of Greenwich. The brainchild of self-confessed archery geeks, this place is perfect for beginners wanting to learn more and experienced shots looking to sharpen their skills.
With two 18 metre ranges catering for up to 20 archers at once, it’s built for family fun and big group days out. Intro sessions are completely free, with coached sessions starting from just £35.
Archery Fit is perfect for both beginner classes and more experienced archers.
2020 Archery
- Location: The Downside Centre, Coxson Place, Druid St, Bermondsey, SE1 2EZ, and Harris Academy, 55 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, SE16 3TZ
- Opening hours: Harris Academy: Monday and Wednesday, 6:30pm - 9pm, Downside Centre: Saturday 12pm - 2pm, Sunday 1:30pm - 4pm
- Price: from £29.50
- Best for: beginner courses, lessons, stag dos, team bonding, kids parties
- Why we recommend: 2020 brings you some of the best archery classes in London. Across two indoor spaces, it caters for all sorts, from introductory courses and kids parties to archery clubs, corporate events and courses
2020 Archery has been helping the archers of London sharpen up their shots for over 15 years. Starting life in Islington, they’ve now got two super smart indoor venues near London Bridge.
With resident archery clubs and a range of have-a-go sessions, this place caters to beginners with a bow and the sharpest of shooters. Intro sessions start from just £29.50, while five-week beginner courses are just £180.
The team here welcomes large groups too, with corporate clients like Sony, Citibank and KPMG regularly using the ranges, and its ‘Archery Tag’ is perfect for stag dos (think dodgeball with arrows).
Book archery courses and team building sessions at 2020 Archery.
Experience Archery
- Location: Caxton House, 129 St John’s Way, Islington, N19 3RQ
- Opening hours: Monday, 6pm - 9pm; Friday, 6pm - 9pm; Saturday, 11am - 12:30pm; Sunday, 1pm - 5pm
- Price: have-a-go sessions from £25
- Best for: beginners, groups, classes, team bonding, kids parties, stag and hen dos
- Why we recommend: this place offers easy entry into the world of archery. I love the taster sessions that move you quickly from total novice to target competitions
North London’s Experience Archery is the perfect spot to work on your aim, whether you’re a newbie or an old hand. There’s all kinds of lessons and courses on offer here, from intro sessions to stag and hen packages, team building and weekly members shooting clubs.
If you’re just dipping your toe in the world of arrows, book a have-a-go lesson to learn the ropes with an expert archer. After a quick safety briefing and demo, it’s over to the range for some practice before a little friendly competition.
Head to Experience Archery for have-a-go sessions, classes, packages and more.
London Archers
- Location: Winter: Holy Apostles Church Hall, 47 Cumberland Street, Pimlico, SW1 Summer: Perks Field, Kensington Palace, Bayswater Road, Kensington, W8
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 10am - 10pm; Saturday - Sunday, 10am - 8pm
- Price: varies
- Best for: experienced archers, beginner courses, indoor and outdoor archery
- Why we recommend: I love the choice of indoor and outdoor sessions on offer with London Archers. You’ll need to be a member to get involved, but hop on the beginner course and you’ll be joining the club in no time
The go-to spot for the city’s seasoned archers, The London Archers runs its regular target and field club at Kensington Palace Gardens in the summer and in Pimlico during the winter.
All kinds of sharp shooters are welcome, whether you use a Recurve, Compound, Long Bow or any kind of Field Bow. If all this sounds too technical, fret not, this place runs regular taster sessions during the warmer months and an annual beginner course at the start of the winter.
Southfields Archery
- Location: Aspire Centre, 337 Merton Road, Southfields, SW18 5JU
- Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, various times
- Price: open sessions from £11
- Best for: experts, competitions, juniors, archery training
- Why we recommend: offering some of the most comprehensive archery classes in London, Southfields is perfect for levelling up your shooting skills. I think it's great that you can start with an Aspire session and work up to club membership and competitions
One of the most established in the city, Southfields Archery Club has been welcoming members since 2008. With its regular Sunday Club Shoot and development sessions, membership is catered more towards those who know what they’re doing with a bow.
Open to adults and children, its junior club has seen success at the London Youth Games and many county competitions. If you or your little ones are not at competition standard yet, there’s no need to worry – Southfields runs weekly Open Shoot sessions for those with no previous bow experience.
Hampstead Bowmen
- Location: RFC Recreation Club, Fleet Road, Hampstead, NW3 2QG
- Opening hours: Saturday, 11am – 3:30pm
- Price: have-a-go sessions from £40
- Best for: beginners, experts, indoor archery, outdoor archery, archery lessons
- Why we recommend: I particularly like how Hampstead Bowmen works at your pace. You can drop in and join a have-a-go session, or work your way towards full Archery GB membership
A small and welcoming target archery club in North London, Hampstead Bowmen caters for beginners and expert archers looking to shoot indoors and out. Whether you know your way around longbows and recurves, or have no idea what that means, there’s a shooting session here for you.
Have-a-go sessions run right through the year, giving you the chance to get to grips with some arrows and hopefully hit a few targets. Looking to get a little more involved? Beginner courses are just £180 for six sessions – complete them all and you’re eligible for Archery GB membership.
Hampstead Bowmen offers sessions ideal for all levels.
Archery For All
- Location: London Rd, Norbury, SW16 4DN
- Opening hours: Saturday – Sunday, 10:30am to 2pm
- Price: from £15
- Best for: families, beginners, traditional archers
- Why we recommend: I’m loving the range of targets on offer here, from suspended orbs to a replica stag. The ‘Tiraz’ colour system is great for tracking progress too.
Archery for All invites you to learn the traditional art of Mamluk archery. With roots back to the 1100s, Mamluk archers achieved exceptional accuracy through gradual practice, technical disciplines and continuous improvement.
Here, you can follow in their footsteps on various courses designed to help you advance through the skill levels, known as ‘Tiraz’, from Brown to Red. If you just fancy flinging some arrows for an afternoon, a casual shooting sesh will set you back £15. Want to become a Mamluk master? Membership starts from £50 per month.
