Some sports will go ahead come rain or shine, but archery isn’t one of them. Though light rain isn’t a problem, if it’s heavy enough to soak into your clothes, you’re going to get cold pretty quickly. And that’s not to mention the effect that getting rain in your eyes and shivering is going to have on your aim! Luckily, archery is a sport that can easily be transferred indoors. All you need is a fairly large space, good lighting and designated safe zones and you can get on with it using exactly the same equipment - and almost identical techniques.
You can find indoor archery ranges all around the country, some of them for standard shooting, others that put an innovative spin on the sport. We break it down here.
London: A new form of fitness
The capital of the UK isn’t an obvious place to look for archery experiences, with most open spaces given over to parkland or car parks, but just because you can’t see the targets doesn’t mean they’re not there. Many of the numerous archery clubs in London meet in local sports halls or similar spaces, at least during the colder months of the year, and there are specific indoor archery experience centres too. Some of them have integrated this ancient pastime into the modern fitness boom and promote archery as part of an active and conscious lifestyle. Then there are opportunities at other venues to get your hands on other pieces of kit besides bows, like crossbows, air rifles and pistols.
Greater Manchester: Archery Tag
The Northern Powerhouse is also one of the rainiest places in the UK, with Stockport being the 4th wettest city in England according to Met Office data. But the inventiveness of the Mancunians knows no bounds. The modern combat sport of Archery Tag is on offer in various locations in the country, but it’s in and around Manchester that it’s putting down the deepest routes. It can be played outdoors, but this high-energy activity is well suited to enclosed spaces - largely because arrows can go flying in all directions and you don’t want to lose them! A word to those who are picturing something more like a mediaeval battlefield than a sport - Archery Tag, also known as Combat Archery, uses special safety arrows, bows of low draw weight and protective masks to avoid injury.
Cumbria: A refuge from the rain
Cumbria is home to the Lake District National Park, a landscape where mountainous peaks cast shadows across deep valleys and broad lakes reflect the sun like silver plates… When the sun shines. But poor weather doesn’t have to dampen your hopes of an adventurous weekend, several archery venues in the park have both indoor and outdoor ranges. Shooting under the sun is a treat to be treasured, shooting undercover is an excellent alternative when the clouds don’t encourage you to set off up the Old Man of Coniston or Scafell Pike.
Llangollen: An antidote to watersports
This small town in Denbighshire, North Wales, has become a hub for white water enthusiasts in recent years. Rafting, canoeing, kayaking and even paddleboarding on the rapid section of the River Dee as it approaches Llangollen are increasingly popular and draw adventurers from around the UK and beyond to the area. If you’re travelling here for the weekend, we suggest archery as the perfect accompaniment to a white knuckle descent of the river. An indoor range ensures that this, just like rapid rides on the river, is a year-round opportunity.
Suffolk: Entertainment for all seasons
Lowestoft bills itself as the first town in the UK to see the sunrise. Don’t worry if you sleep in - there’s plenty more to keep you entertained in this charming seaside town. For example, the town boasts an active archery club who shoot outdoors at fêtes, parties and fairs, before returning to an indoor venue where they host induction courses and have-a-go sessions.
The last thing to say is that it’s not just the roof that can make an indoor range the best choice. They can also be more accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, have facilities closer at hand and allow evening or late night shoots through the winter months.Make indoor archery one of the strings to your bow!
