Buckinghamshire is one of the home counties: conveniently close to London on the one hand, but boasting beautiful rural scenery such as the Chiltern Hills on the other. This combination has converted it into an attractive destination for filmmakers to construct film sets, and scout out natural shooting locations. Pinewood Studios is probably most famous for the James Bond and Harry Potter film franchises, it’s Robin Hood - the most famous archer in English folklore - that we want to talk about.

It may not involve magic or international espionage, but archery is a fantastic activity that some treat as a sport, others as a hobby, and still more as a fun and different experience. Here you can take part in an activity to suit any taste. On top of that, archery is an inclusive sport which doesn’t just favour the biggest and strongest bowmen and women. Focus, balance and aim are essential qualities in the best archers, so you never know who’s going to excel. It is also inclusive of all budgets, you won’t have to steal from the rich to fund your adventure!

Where are the places to do archery in Buckinghamshire?

• Milton Keynes: Designed to be a harmonious place to live, Milton Keynes has space given over to work, services and leisure. There are clubs in and around the city that offer beginners courses or if you want to take part in an initiation activity to discover if this sport is for you, come down to Willen Lake for a taster. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a dynamic experience like no other, you can face off against a rival team in combat archery. In this game you’ll fire real bows (with foam-tipped arrows) in an arena game to take out the other team before they can hit you - this is the only activity around where you can fire at your friends!

• Buckingham: This historic town gave its name to the county before being overtaken in size and importance by Aylesbury. But it’s kept its charm and traditional feel, which extends to the archery on offer here, English down to the straw targets. Good old fashioned competition awaits you and your group, with games, balloons and challenges, but all the while using modern Olympic style recurve bows. The team in Buckingham can also travel to you! If you have a suitable outdoor or indoor space, let them do the hard work for you and enjoy an activity on your terms.

• Edlesborough: On the borders with Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire you’ll find the perfect place to take aim with a bow and arrow for the first time in Edlesborough. A short taster session, with the club’s equipment and experienced instructors, will be a baptism into the archer’s lifestyle. If you’re hooked, you can take part in a beginners course and start to take this sport seriously.

• Aston Clinton: Near Aylesbury, Aston Clinton lies at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. The beautiful surroundings are the perfect place to channel your inner Robin Hood, or if you prefer, Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games. You can try it out with a taster session and if you want to continue (and we suspect that you will) there are courses for beginners. Indoor and outdoor ranges at the centre mean that you’ll be able to shoot no matter the weather.

• Long Crendon: The East of the county has a rural charm, perfect for outdoor pursuits. Shooting clubs in Long Crendon offer this activity alongside other target sports such as clay pigeon shooting, air rifles and even crossbows. You can combine these with bow shooting in different ways, and whichever you choose you’re guaranteed high quality equipment, coaching and attention to safety.

• High Wycombe: In the South of the county, High Wycombe is a charming market town in easy reach of London. Nearby woodlands in the Chiltern Hills are the perfect scenery for an escape from the hustle and bustle, and you can’t do better than this activity. Have-a-go sessions are on offer for individuals, while if you’re planning a group getaway, you can organise a fun shoot involving games, competition and a variety of novelty targets.

Requirements to do this activity

Legolas, the famous elf archer of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, is almost 3,000 years old, but don’t let that put you off - archery in Buckinghamshire is an option for humans of more modest ages. Drawing a bow string and firing arrows does require some strength and coordination, but depending on the bows that are available around the county, you can be as young as 8 years old to take part. At some ranges you might have to be 12 or older, but there’s no upper age on this adventure - Legolas would be welcome after all.

English archers, wielding longbows, were a mainstay in mediaeval armies, and their teamwork turned the tide of many battles. Shooting as a group is still the most effective way to enjoy this sport and here you can make a booking for your friends, family, coworkers, Scout group or any other organisation. Have some friendly competition and find the sharpest shooter on the team.

Making this activity inclusive of all kinds of people is also an important project in the county, and some ranges are suitable for wheelchair users.

How long does an experience last?

- A taster session in Buckinghamshire can last between 45 minutes to an hour. This will give you time to get to know the bows, arrows, targets and other equipment before a safety briefing and demonstration from your expert instructor. After that, it’s over to you to take aim and fire at the target, and you might even have enough time to hit the bullseye!

- Sessions and lessons might last an hour or an hour and a half and include a variety of activities, instructions, targets. If you’re bringing your group here, everyone will get their own bow and have an equal opportunity to shoot it and engage in the competition.

- With so much on offer, whether you want to learn to shoot on an indoor range, or have an entertaining session in the woods, we know that you’re eager to get involved.

This is an archer’s paradise, and it’s easier to join the fun than you think, make a booking today and we’ll handle the rest.