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Archery guide

Archery for beginners: your first session explained

No experience, no strength, no problem.

A beginner's guide to archery near York: what happens in your first session, the technique you'll learn, ages, prices and what to wear. Instructor-led on a covered range.

£25 per person 60 mins Year 3+ Groups of 4 to 15

Updated 2 October 2026 · Written by the Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park team · 2 min read

Target Archery

The basics, in plain English.

Archery is a target sport: you shoot arrows from a bow at a target, scoring points for accuracy. At Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park, experienced instructors teach you properly on a covered outdoor range with professional targets, then finish with a scored competition.

£25 per person for one full hour, from age 8 (School Year 3), for groups of 4 to 15. No experience needed.

Adults and children can shoot together, and everyone leaves with a certificate of achievement.

What it’s actually like.

Archery progress as your accuracy improves

Feet set, string drawn to your anchor point, breathe, release. The thud of your first arrow in the target is hard to beat.

You start close to the target, then move back through about 5, 10 and 16 metres as your shooting gets more consistent. By the scored round, most beginners are surprised how far they’ve come in an hour.

Your hour, one step at a time.

  1. On arrivalRegister 30 minutes earlyFor registration and the safety briefing.
  2. FirstSafety and equipmentHow the bow, arrows and range work, before the first shot.
  3. ThenLearn the techniqueStance, grip, draw, anchor point, aim and release, step by step.
  4. Move backProgress through the distancesAbout 5, 10 and 16 metres as you improve.
  5. The finishScored competitionShoot for points, then collect your certificate.

Who it suits.

Great for

  • Families. Adults and children shoot together from School Year 3.
  • Calm, competitive groups. Precision rather than running about.
  • Left-handers. The instructor adapts the shooting position.

Better options if

What it costs.

£25

per person, for one full hour. Included:

  • 60 minutes with an instructor
  • Recurve bows, carbon-fibre arrows and arm guards
  • Covered shooting lanes
  • Certificate of achievement

Work out your group's cost

Total£300

Check dates and book

Before you go.

  • What to wearComfortable clothes that let your shoulders move, and secure closed-toe shoes. Tie long hair back and avoid very loose sleeves.
  • The weatherThe lanes are covered, so ordinary rain doesn’t normally stop archery.
  • Private sessionsStandard sessions are open; private sessions may be available for larger groups by arrangement.
  • On siteToilets, a food and drinks counter, and free parking.

Your questions, answered.

Do I need to be strong?

No. Technique and control matter more than strength, and beginner-friendly bows are used.

What age can children do archery?

From age 8, School Year 3. Adults and children can shoot in the same session.

Can left-handed people take part?

Yes. The instructor adapts the shooting position and technique.

Who are the instructors?

The team includes a former GNAS Under-16 Northern Counties Archery Champion, and the lead instructor has been involved in archery for over 40 years.

How many people can take part?

Between 4 and 15 people per session.

In summary.

  • £25 per personOne hour, instructor-led.
  • From School Year 3Adults and children together.
  • Covered rangeRain doesn’t stop it.
  • CertificateAfter a scored round.

Ready for your first arrow?

£25 per person for an instructor-led hour on a covered range, from School Year 3.

  • 4.9 stars from 480+ Google reviews
  • Running since 1988
  • Free parking

Keep reading.

About this guide. Written by the team at Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park, who have run games here since 1988. Prices and session details are checked against our activity pages. Updated 2 October 2026.

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