Archery

Archery is the sport of shooting arrows from a bow at a target. It began as a way to hunt, and today it's a precision sport and a hobby loved all over the world. Target archery has been a permanent Olympic sport since 1972. The best bit for families? It's about focus and technique, not strength, so grown-ups and children can learn together.

A recurve bow has limb tips that curve away from the archer, which gives each arrow extra power. It's the bow used at the Olympics, and the one most beginners learn on.

A longbow is a tall bow with straight limbs, often about as tall as the archer. The traditional English longbow was made from yew and was famous in medieval battles.

A compound bow uses cables and wheels called cams, so the string is much easier to hold once it's pulled back. It's popular for target shooting and hunting.

Barebow means shooting without sights or stabilisers, so you aim by eye and feel.

A horsebow is a short, curved bow made to be shot from horseback, with roots in Central Asia.

A crossbow is a bow mounted sideways on a stock and fired with a trigger. It shoots short arrows called bolts.

Every session starts with a safety briefing, so everyone knows the range rules: where to stand, when to shoot and when to collect arrows. Then your Activity Leader shows you the basics. You'll stand side-on to the target, nock the arrow onto the string, draw back to the same anchor point on your face each time and let go smoothly. Most archers wear an arm guard to protect their forearm from the string. You start close to the target and step back as your aim improves, and there's often a game or challenge to finish.

Yes, and it's a lovely one to try together. Children shoot lighter bows with a lower draw weight, which means the string takes less effort to pull back. Progress is easy to see, arrow by arrow, so it feels rewarding from the very first go. It's great for building focus and patience too, and there's nothing quite like cheering each other on when someone hits the gold.

Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes are best. Leave baggy sleeves, scarves, hoodie strings and dangling jewellery behind, as they can catch on the bowstring. Tie back long hair too.

You might also like Archery Battles, Axe Throwing and Air Rifle Shooting.

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