For those looking to release their inner Robin Hoods, there are plenty of archery clubs in Sussex that welcome both new and experienced archers. All providing welcoming and inclusive environments, with beginner’s courses running at different times throughout the year. The advantage of learning to shoot in Sussex means you will be surrounded by a beautiful and open countryside, so you can keep an eye out for Maid Marian and her merry men approaching.
There’s even an alternative archery experience on this list, which provides a great day out for families. So, what are you waiting for? Just take a look at the list below, and find out which archery club is the most convenient and affordable for you. Then take aim and fire!
Cuckfield Archers, Haywards Heath
Like many sports clubs in Sussex, there is an inclusive, friendly and welcoming vibe to Cuckfield Archers, a club that is passionate about providing opportunities to everyone including those with disabilities. Formed in 2012, all their coaches are well experienced and shooting sessions are held every Sunday at Warden Park Academy.
Summer shoots are on a beautiful playing field with views of the South Downs, with Winter shoots being held inside the school gym. You’ll need to have an Archery GB membership to join in, but if you are an experienced archer all they ask is for you to put £3 in the tea and coffee tin. The one condition is that if you visit the club more than four times a year, then you take up the opportunity to join the club as a regular member.
Cuckfield Archers also runs beginner’s courses twice a year that consist of five weekly sessions. Anyone from 10 – 110 years old can take part in the course, but all juniors (under 18) will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Full membership is £100 for those over 25 and £50 for under 25s. Those who join the club successfully after the beginner’s course have the opportunity to use club equipment until they are ready to purchase their own bow.
Website: https://www.cuckfieldarchers.org.uk/
Address: Broad St, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath RH17 5DP
Newhaven Archery Club, West Firle
Based in East Sussex, this thriving and friendly archery club was started by Jack Patten in 1962 in a field near his house in Wellington Road, Denton. Its outdoor shooting range at Firle near Lewes is open all year round and provides courses for beginners who want to learn more about the sport. Over 100 archers have an active membership to the club and enjoy a variety of shooting and social activities throughout the year, such as target archery, field and wood shoots, social events and fun shoots. There is also an active junior club that has its own calendar of events.
The main club sessions are held Friday evening and Sunday afternoon with the Juniors on Wednesday evenings. With exclusive access to its own outdoor range, members are free to shoot whenever they wish and taster sessions are open for anyone wishing to have a go. These run from 2pm to 3.30pm on Saturdays and allow for one hour shooting time following a quick safety briefing (that’s probably for the best!). The prices according to its website are £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s and sessions are limited to six people and require advanced booking.
Anyone who has completed an Archery GB safety course at any affiliated club in the UK can apply to join the Newhaven Archery Club as a ‘full’ or ‘associate’ member.
Website: http://newhavenarcheryclub.co.uk/
Address: Firle, West Firle, Lewes BN8 6NZ
Bow and Arrow Tag Archery, Brighton
Bored of paintball? Fed up with firing at a static board? Want to try something new? Then, why not mix it up a bit with a session of Bow Arrow Tag. This combat archery sport combines archery, paintball and dodge ball to create an exhilarating, safe and family friendly combat sport that can be played indoors or outdoors. Players use short bows to shoot foam-tipped arrows at the opposing team members on the field. The fast-moving, action-packed game is perfect for all ages and you will be left with far less bruises or welts than paintball.
With the equipment completely mobile, the Bow and Arrow Tag team can either come to yours or you can visit them at their Brighton base. Players do not need archery skills of any kind to play, and it is best played with kids aged seven years and up. The prices for corporate and private bookings depend on the time played with £25 per person for one hour’s play up to £35 for two hours. A minimum of 12 players are required for these sessions, and there are other packages available such as school PE day bookings, stag and hen sessions and team-building events. As well as a site in Brighton, there are also mobile sites in London, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester and Wales.
Website: https://www.bowarrowtag.com/faq/
Address: 3 Lower Bevendean Ave, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 4FE
Ditchling Archery Club, Ditchling
Ditching Archery Club has moved about a fair bit over the years. Formed in 1973 by a group of locals who were passionate archers, Whitemans Green, Cuckfield was chosen as the original site for Ditchling Archery Club. However, as this site was also a public park, the council stepped in, and a new location was chosen at St Wilfrids School in Haywards Heath. There was one further move to Sydney West Sports Centre in Burgess Hill before a permanent home was found near a medieval archery field at Ditchling. The club now has over 50 members and won the Division I of the Sussex Albion League in 1993.
Beginner’s courses run throughout the year at Ditchling Archery Club with the next one on the calendar taking place over three days in September between 2 and 5pm. There are limited places for this course as well as next year’s spring course, so it’s best to get in contact with the organisers as soon as possible to secure a place. The courses are open to anyone with an interest in archery who can travel to Ditchling to shoot on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings during the summer. Those that pass a beginner’s course at Ditchling or already have an AGB affiliated archery club license are welcome to join Ditching Archery Club permanently. If you would like more information on how to become a member you can email the membership secretary (membership@ditchlingac.org.uk).
Website: https://ditchlingac.org.uk/
Address: Ditchling Recreation Ground, Rear Playing Field, Lewes Rd, Ditchling BN6 8TY
Worthing Archery Club, Worthing
Although the club in its present form was founded in 1949, Worthing Archery Society was shooting at Steyne Gardens just off the seafront from 1860. Beginners’ courses at Worthing cost £65 and run for eight hours, typically spilt into 2 x 4hr sessions held over two days. The course is designed not only to get people shooting quickly, but to do so as safely as possible. The course takes place in the spring and summer months, and all the necessary equipment is provided.
Membership of Worthing Archery Club is open to anyone over the age of 10 years and anyone who wishes to join must again have successfully completed a recognised beginner’s course or be a current member of Archery GB. An Archery GB Visitor can shoot for £5 per visit, with membership costing £120 for adults, £105 for pensioners and £60 for under 25s. Worthing is also keen to accommodate anyone with a disability whether they wish to shoot casually or aspire to shoot for the County or even for Great Britain.
Website: https://www.worthingarcheryclub.co.uk/
Address: Titnore Ln, Worthing BN13 3UG
Friars Gate Archers, Crowborough
The Archers’ season runs from October through to March within an attractive setting in Crowborough, and all year at its Eastland Wood, Fletching site. The club’s origins date back to 1969 – when the club was established on a farm within Ashdown Forest. The Friars Gate Archers participate in the Summer Selby League and the Winter British Archer Frostbite and Portsmouth Leagues.
Equipment ranges from traditional long bow through to the modern recurve and high-tech compound bows. The club welcomes archers including those with disabilities who are offered a reduced membership fee, as are juniors and family groups.
Again, for those seeking to take up the bow and arrow for the first time, a beginner’s course is run throughout the year. Each course is a three-hour session over two consecutive Sundays and the autumn course will be on the 17th and 24th of September. Course fees are £45 for Juniors (11-18) and £75 for Seniors (18+) and due to limited places, they will be allocated strictly on a first come first served basis.
Club membership subscriptions are due in September and a membership includes affiliation to Archery GB, Southern Counties Archery Society and Sussex County Archery Association.
Website: http://www.friarsgatearchers.com/
Address: Barnsgate Manor, Heron’s Ghyll, Uckfield TN22 4DB
