People often forget that modern England can trace its origin story back to Lancashire. During the Wars of the Roses, the House of Lancaster attempted to win the throne from the House of York eventually resulting in the reign of the Tudor Dynasty. A decisive role was played in this real life Game of Thrones by the longbow, a mainstay in the armies of both sides. Wooden longbows have been replaced over the years, as has their position on the battlefield, but archery remains a popular leisure pursuit with a fantasy edge which is enjoyed throughout this county.

It’s not just Game of Thrones that has inspired people to take up bows and arrows. From the legends of Robin Hood, to The Lord of the Rings, to modern young adult fiction such as The Hunger Games, archery is a key element in these fantasy escapes, and the archers themselves embody the qualities of focus, strength and precision that we want to emulate. On top of that, if we’re honest, it’s a very cool sport, and we all know that a hint of danger can give someone a real edge. So get involved here to reinvent yourself as the strong, brooding archer you’ve always wanted to be!

Where are the best places to do archery in Lancashire?

• Blackpool: We associate Blackpool, this seaside resort with more superficial forms of entertainment: donkey rides, Punch and Judy, the pleasure beach. But there are several clubs in the area where you can have a go at this ancient activity. Get to know the bow, the arrows, the terminology and the commands, and take your first shots at the target. Who knows, you might have some beginners’ luck!

• Preesall: Preesall, on the coast North of Blackpool, you can try your hand at this activity or take part in a bow and arrow based shootout: Battle Attack. Think of paintball or laser tag but using the techniques of archery, this game is played in teams who fire safety arrows at the opponents to emerge victorious.

• Preston: The attitude of the biggest city in the county has earned it the nickname of Proud Preston, so is the right place to recreate some of the county’s mediaeval glory. You’ll get the true archery regiment experience here as taster sessions are on offer for groups. Take your friends, family or club along and see who’s a natural bowman or woman - you might be surprised.

• Omskirk: taking its name from a Viking word for dragon, there’s a touch of fantasy in the air in Omskirk. Located outside town on a working stables, you’ll find a range to put your aim to the test. Taster sessions run during the summer months, or you can organise a private session for a group at any time of year. This is an open air range, so keep your fingers crossed for light winds.

• Whitworth: Another combat experience awaits you in Whitworth - outdoor Battlezone Archery Tag. Use your bow and specially designed foam tipped arrows to tag the enemy team. With respawn points, objectives to complete and targets to test your accuracy, this is a dynamic, fun fuelled team game that will leave all the players with smiles on their faces.

Requirements to do this activity

English longbowmen of the middle ages were a feared presence on the battlefield: tall, broad and strong, they could shoot 10-12 arrows a minute 200 metres through the air. But this activity as a modern leisure activity isn’t so demanding. Modern materials are used to make bows that are lightweight and come in all degrees of flexibility to suit all archers, so you don’t need to have bulging biceps and wide shoulders to get involved. Having said that, the power of the bow comes from its length, so a certain stature is required to start shooting. Most ranges have a minimum age of 8 or 10 years old, to make sure that everyone who wants to participate is capable of holding the bow correctly.

The tactical success of this sport in the middle ages was down to the combined efforts of many archers working together, and as a leisure activity there are benefits to working as a team as well. Trying an unfamiliar sport for the first time can be a nerve racking experience, but you’ll be less self conscious if you’re surrounded by your people. And of course a bit of friendly competition always brings out the best in people, so organise an experience for your friends, club or colleagues, or for a special occasion.

Many people quickly find themselves hooked on. It’s a discipline that encourages practice and rewards you for the time and effort that you invest in it. Focusing on your aim involves calming your thoughts and shutting out distractions, and propelling an arrow into the target gives you an endorphins hit that will have you coming back for more. Here you can find training courses for beginners to become a member of the archer’s community.

What should you bring the day of the experience?

You don’t need to bring any special equipment to take part in this activity. Our neolithic ancestors hunted for food with bows and arrows while wearing little more than animal furs so you can choose your outfit from your day to day wardrobe when you come. There are a couple of things to bear in mind though: when you release an arrow it travels within a few inches of your face and wrist, along with the bowstring, and you don’t want anything to get in the way of them. That’s why we strongly recommend that you don’t wear loose clothing or dangling earrings and that you tie long hair up - that applies to beards as well!

Other than that, you might be standing up for a long period of time. A taster session usually lasts an hour or an hour and a half, and there are longer activities on offer. While there might be time to take a rest during that time, you’ll be on your feet for extended periods, so wear comfortable shoes, flat soles and trainers are perfect.

That’s all you need to know about this sport, to organise your experience click on Book Now and we’ll take care of it!