THE BEST ARCHERY EXPERIENCES NEAR KENT

Archery is one of the oldest sports in the world, and though it’s been centuries since it was part of everyday life, its unique appeal remains today. Whether you’ve always been fascinated by Robin Hood, fancy yourself as a modern day Legolas, or just want to test out your hand-eye coordination, you’ll quickly discover just how thrilling archery is! If you’re based in or around Kent, check out a few of our favourite archery experiences that are just a short drive away...

Wander deep into secluded woodland near Faversham, Kent, to enjoy a half day archery experience at Joe’s Bows in Mount Ephraim Gardens. You’ll be taught to shoot by expert instructors, and under their guidance will be stunned at how quickly you can hit the bullseye. Over two and half hours you’ll get to try your hand at several ancient sports – target archery, field archery and axe throwing – and if this wasn’t enough, you’ll also have a go at mastering a crossbow! If you’ve ever wanted to see whether you could make it in a Game of Thrones world, this is your chance...

For an archery experience that’ll have your adrenaline levels surging, why not try the newest phenomenon in friendly combat sports... Battlezone Archery? Head to Kent’s 250-acre Betteshanger Park, just two miles from Deal, 10 miles from Dover and right off the A258, where you’ll compete against friends in this fast and exciting game. Taking the best from archery, paintball and dodgeball, the aim of Battlezone Archery is to be the first to hit the five-spot target in your opponent’s goal. Using foam-tipped arrows, and with inflatable bunkers to hide behind, this game is thrilling enough for grown-ups, but safe enough for kids.

Or, why not combine archery with rifle shooting for a proper country day out? Little over 10 miles from Maidstone, just off the M2, you’ll find Outdoor Pursuits, one of Kent’s largest and most popular outdoor activity centres. You’ll begin your day with archery, using competition bows to give you the best chance of quickly getting to grips with the sport, and then after some practice it’s time to try hitting the target! You’ll have up to 50 arrows to shoot, so you’ll have a good chance of hitting that bullseye at least once, and your instructors will be on hand to offer guidance after every shot. Rifle shooting follows the same format – except this time you’ll be shooting at exploding targets!

If you’ve always dreamed of shooting objects out of the sky like Robin Hood, you’ll want to check out the Archery and Sky Bow experience at Firefly Activities. Just a few miles south of Dartford and right off the M25, you’ll admire beautiful views of the Kent countryside as you learn to handle your bow by shooting at a static target. Then it’s onto the Sky Bow, where you’ll be accompanied by an expert instructor who’ll offer advice and tips throughout. By the time the foam discs are launched up into the air you’ll know exactly what to do, and will be shooting like a true professional. Watching your arrow shoot a target right out of the sky is a thrill few people have experienced in this day and age, so if you’re looking to do something different today, this is it!

For those willing to drive a little further afield to West Sussex, the Apocalypse Combat Experience is 100% worth it. Located in East Grinstead, just 15 miles from Tunbridge Wells and 17 miles from Sevenoaks, Kent, this adrenaline-infused full-day experience is the ultimate in archery-based survival fun. If you’ve ever wanted to test how you’d get on in a zombie apocalypse, now’s your chance to discover your survival instinct as you master eight key skills. Aside from archery, you’ll also have a go at knife and spear throwing as well as pistol and rifle shooting. With plenty of professional advice, you’ll improve quickly. You’ll also learn basic survival skills like building and defending your shelter. Perfect for a group of mates who like competing against each other!