Birmingham, the second city of the UK, has always been on the cutting edge of sport. It’s the home to the oldest tennis club and cricket league in the world, while the founder of the world’s first association football league was a Brummie. But there’s one sport that goes much further back than these Victorian achievements, into the mists of prehistoric time, and that’s archery. Of course, firing arrows from bows wasn’t developed by our ancestors as a hobby, but in order to hunt for food, but there’s something about this activity that has stayed with us, long after we found other ways to get a meal.

Nowadays, people take to this activity for a number of reasons. It’s a good way to stay active in the outdoors (though it can be taken undercover when the weather’s bad), it brings people together in clubs and societies, and, as anyone who has tried it knows, it trains your accuracy, coordination and concentration in a rewarding - and sometimes addictive - way. In addition, in 2023 it hosted the IBSA World Games. Fun, friendship or focus: whatever attracts you to this sport, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

Where are the places to do archery in Birmingham?

• Sparkhill: Once an area of farmland, Sparkhill is now a neighbourhood in the centre of the city which boasts a fantastic adventure centre. Alongside a dry ski slope and canoeing on the canal, you’ll find an archery range that’s designed for everyone to have a go at firing arrows. If your kids have been watching Legolas in The Lord of the Rings, or Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games and want to emulate these masters, bring the whole family here for a taste of the archer’s life.

• Handsworth: In the northern suburb of Handsworth, you’ll find a friendly member-run club who are welcoming of new participants. They put on regular have-a-go sessions where you can learn about the equipment and take your first shots under the guidance of an experienced archer.

• Yardley Wood: As well as introductory sessions, the experiences in Yardley wood include the fun combat experience of Archery Tag. In this game you play in teams with foam tipped arrows to hit targets, and your opponents if they get in the way!

• Solihull: Once a separate town, Solihull merged with Birmingham as they both expanded, but maintained its own identity. There are several clubs in the area that host taster sessions for people interested in immersing themselves in the world of archery. And for experienced archers there are some interesting shooting styles available, including the traditional long-distance challenge of Clout Shooting, where you shoot at a flag in the ground, and the closest arrows get the highest points.

• Marston Green: On the outskirts of the city is an adventure centre that takes its name from TV adventurer Bear Grylls. While Bear might use his skills to catch a meal in the mountains, he’s more interested in making sure you have a good time if you take up a bow in his centre. The range is indoors so that you can enjoy this activity, alongside many others, all year round.

• Sutton Coulfield: Take to the woods like legendary hero Robin Hood outside the Royal Town of Sutton Coulfield! Shooting on this woodland range is a fun filled experience that combines classic targets with 3D foam targets in the shape of animals and even zombies! You’ll have to use your olympic-style recurve bow to stop the invasion.

• Dudley: In nearby Dudley there’s another Tag Archery arena. This game is similar to dodgeball, because you have to try and hit your opponents while avoiding their shots, and because the impact of an arrow doesn’t hurt - but it’s enough to make you play tactically! This game is perfect for a party with friends - for children and adults.

Requirements to do this activity

Some of the best characters in family adventure films are archers: Hawkeye from the Marvel universe, Legolas from Middle Earth, Katniss Everdeen from Panem and even Susan from the Narnia series. So it’s no surprise that a lot of children are fascinated by bows and arrows. While a certain degree of strength and coordination is a barrier to the youngest kids, in Birmingham you can find numerous archery experiences for children as young as 8. While other centres have higher minimum ages - usually related to the equipment on offer - your son or daughter can take part in an activity to discover if it is the right sport for them.

When it comes to Archery Tag instead, you need to be at least 10 years old. We recommend that you organise a game with a team - for a birthday, stag or hen party for example, or a corporate away day with a twist - so that you can play with and against people you know. The minimum number is usually 8 - 10 people so that the group can be divided into two teams of at least 4 players.

How long does an experience last?

- Once you’ve got hooked and become a member of one of the clubs in the area, you’ll be happy to spend a whole morning shooting arrows into the centre of the target, but this kind of endurance doesn’t come naturally. Firing an arrow from a bow requires upper body and core strength, as well as patience and mental control, and these are developed over time. If you’re going to take part in an archery activity or taster session, the length will typically be half an hour to an hour, in which you’ll be introduced to the equipment and have multiple opportunities to shoot and, with any luck, hit the target. Your instructor will also organise some shooting games so that everyone in the group has fun, and the friendly competition brings out the best.

- A game of Tag Archery is usually over in half an hour, but the centres in the city can put on party itineraries, which could last up to 2 hours with several games and maybe some interesting variations to keep everyone on their toes.

This city shoots a volley opportunities your way, has one of them hit you? If so, you’ll have to make a reservation now!