In 1938, the most spectacular treasure hoard in British history was uncovered at Sutton Hoo rural Suffolk. It was the burial mound of a Saxon King, who was interred inside an entire ship with objects and artefacts of fabulous value. This discovery shone light on a period of history when written documents weren’t kept and allowed Saxon-era East Anglia to come to life like never before. It was a time when Kings were great warriors, and, long before the invention of gunpowder firearms, the bow and arrow were the ranged weapon of choice on the battlefield.

Archery lives on to this day in Suffolk, although not as an instrument of war. Instead, modern sport is a leisure activity, balancing personal discipline with friendly competition and the social benefits of belonging to community. Perhaps due to films and TV series that feature fearless archers, like the Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games, or Robin Hood - the sport is growing in popularity around the countries and there are plenty of opportunities here for taking up a bow and arrows and enjoying this ancient activity. Whether you’re keen to get into it as a hobby, or you’re looking for a fun activity in the great outdoors to enjoy with your mates, nearest range to you might be closer than you realise, and cheaper than you think.

Where are the best places to do archery in Suffolk?

• Ipswich: The county town is in the Southeast, surrounded by beautiful countryside. There’s an outdoor activity centre set in 5 acres of pristine ancient forest just outside the city where you can live out a fantasy experience. The quiet of the woodland is ideal for focusing your mind and sharpening your focus, and you’ll be hitting the target in no time during a taster session here.

• Lowestoft: Although East Anglia has a drier climate than other parts of the country, there are days when the weather isn’t suitable for outdoor activities. But don’t worry - there’s a club in Lowestoft with an indoor range. The club invites uninitiated archers to try shooting for the first time in an introductory session with equipment provided and expert instruction.

• Woodbridge: This is the nearest town to the burial site of Sutton Hoo, so it’s the perfect place to channel your inner Saxon warrior. The range is located in the woods which give the town its name, and uses 3D animal models as targets. Compared to standard “bullseye” targets, these give the experience a real edge, and are sure to bring out the best in you.

• Stowmarket: The valley of the charming River Gipping is wide and open, and hosts a range where long distance shooting is a speciality. As well as 80 yard target practice, the members also organise Clout Shoots, in which archers compete to fire an arrow into the ground as close as possible to a flagpole in the ground up to 180 yards away. If you sign up for a taster session here, you probably won’t be shooting so far on your first day, but that’s no reason to lose your enthusiasm!

• Newmarket: A good option for keen youngsters is the club that shoots in Newmarket Leisure Centre. They’ll be in the hands of experienced trainers who’ll talk participants through the safety procedures and equipment involved, and have them take their first shots at the targets, all in an indoor range.

• Thetford Forest: A perfect stand-in for Sherwood Forest, this is where you can be Robin Hood for a day, firing arrows through the air in the midst of the trees. The whole family can get involved here, or bring your Merry Men along and have a memorable day out with your mates.

• Wherever you are: There’s also a mobile archery range in Suffolk, that can be set up in an outdoor space of sufficient size and run shooting sessions at your convenience. They cater to fetes and festivals as well as charity and private events - spice up your special occasion with an archery adventure!

Requirements to do this activity

If you’re a parent, you’ll probably know that kids always want to imitate what they see in the movies. And if they’ve seen Legolas, Katniss Everdeen or Hawkeye take down their opponents with the style that only an archer can achieve, they’re going to want to try archery for themselves. That’s no problem in Suffolk. Some activity centres welcome children as young as 5 years old to fire their first arrows, so long as their parents are present, whereas other centres and clubs cater to children over 9 years of age, or a little older. The differences are down to the equipment that’s available: there’s no use giving a child a bow that’s designed for a teenager or adult!

Although the heroes on the big screen usually work alone, the best way to enjoy shooting arrows is with your people. Sessions can be organised for all kinds of groups, from youth organisations like the scouts or guides, to adult friends with something to celebrate, a stag or hen do for example.

How long does an experience last?

The road to becoming a master archer is a long one, but it has to start with a single step. The sessions for beginners that you can find here typically last between 1 and 2 hours, although it’s possible to find some longer ones if you really want to get into it. That’s enough time for an introduction from your instructor, talking you through the equipment and rules for staying safe on the range, followed by some practice with their guidance. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can start having some fun! Popping balloons on the target, games and friendly competition make this sport a whole lot of fun, and you’ll continue to improve without noticing it.

What do you need to bring to a session?

When you release the bowstring to fire an arrow, it travels past your face and arm at high speed - so don’t wear loose clothing, scarves or hats! Comfortable, flat shoes are a good idea to help with your posture, as you’ll probably be on your feet for the duration of the shoot. And, of course, if you’re going to shoot on an outdoor range, you’ll need to look at the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the weather and time of year.

Aside from the right clothes, you don’t need any specialist equipment to have a go at archery, because the activity centre or club that you choose will give you everything that’s necessary.

There’s no excuse to put off organising this fantastic experience, make a booking today!