However, we know that all our bows need decent arrows to make the most of them, so we went to the experts in Wooden Longbow Arrows - The Fletcher. We give them some serious abuse, and they survive (mostly!) - we also get to test a lot of their new kit, like some of their warbow arrows and some of the more esoteric specialist things they do. All in all - thoroughly good fun!

We can provide comprehensive archery events in Cumbria, including target shooting, field archery and clout (long distance) shooting.

Working with See-Events and with access to some of the best venues in the county, and with views across the Lake District and an ability to cater for up to 200 people, we can run corporate archery events on (almost!) any scale.

We can provide our normal archery experiences or we can mix this with other activities such as black powder shooting, crossbows and axe throwing for a medieval activity day. We can also combine the archery with a range of motorised events, clay shooting, paintball or traditional team building activities such as raft building and problem solving.

You’ll get a chance to shoot these at targets (we don’t expect you to do this from the back of horses!) using the classic English style, or using the thumb release technique favoured in Eastern Europe.

For those of a stronger disposition (and armstrength!) we have an English Warbow!

This beast is a completely different proposition from the standard Longbows we use, requiring twice the strength to draw (draw-weight 75lb at a draw length of 32″), this is one for the big boys (and girls of course) who fancy pitting their strength against one of the most formiddable weapons history has seen!

Not completely authentic, we decided to have this made using modern laminate techniques as selfbows (bows made from one piece of wood), and especially those made out of Yew, are not the most reliable and have been known to dynamically deconstruct themselves ( - in other words, they explode into firewood!). We decided to go for safety rather than pure historical accuracy. However, it is one of only a handful of working warbows which have been crafted with sidenocks in the manner of the Mary Rose Longbows. Even the recreated bows at the museum have had the more modern Victorian pattern nocks fitted.

We run historic archery events across the UK for parties from 20 to 200, with activities ranging from pure archery to an explosive combination of historic weaponry, including black-powder rifle shooting, crossbow shooting, axe throwing and more.

With experienced, professional and knowledgeable instructors, our events are guaranteed to leave your guests breathless, though that could just be the effort of pulling a genuine tudor warbow!

We will always design the day around you, but to give you an idea of what is possible, here are just a few of the activities we run:

• Traditional target, clout (long range targets) and flight (distance) archery, using high quality reproduction English longbows & warbows and Asian horsebows.
• Black powder rifle shooting - with all the explosions and smoke that goes with them.
• Falconry, including flying and holding these amazing birds of prey.
• Axe throwing contests, using single handed axes and competition standard double headed throwing axes.

And if you really want to make sure that your day has a real feel of authenticity we can provide:

• Medieval food and refreshments, including authentic cookery demonstrations.
• Hog Roasts, for when the pease pudding and curds just aren’t filling the hole.
• Bonfire, lit by a flaming arrow shot by your day’s champion archer.
• Medieval marquees, crockery and cutlery, costumes and pretty much anything else - how far do you want to go?!

For more information on our activity days, archery and medieval events, contact us:

info@thearchersparadox.co.uk

We’re based between Lancashire and Cumbria most of the time, but work regularly in Scotland and the Midlands. We’re happy to visit any venue in the UK, so drop us an email letting us know where you are and we’ll be able to give you a quote for our services.

Providing a full service including targets, nets, weaponry and more arrows than you could shake a pointy (feathered) stick at, we can ensure that your event runs smoothly and professionally. The one thing we can guarantee is that your clients, friends or employees will go home with a huge grin on their faces, memories of a fantastic day and depending upon budget, a medieval arrow or two!

From 1 hour taster sessions as part of a larger day of events, allowing everyone to get a chance to shoot a range of traditional bows, through medieval weaponry days with black powder shooting, axe throwing, crossbow shooting and falconry, to full days of archery including making arrows and target, field and clout shooting.

We can combine our archery experiences with other activities to form a part of a multi-activity day, or we can design a complete archery programme to challenge clients of all abilities.

We work closely with companies offering a complete package including refreshments, catering (maybe even a medieval hog roast?!) and client reception.

You’ll get a chance to shoot traditional steel tipped arrows in target, clout and field archery sessions.

We’re working with some close associates to create a phenomenal day covering everything from Black Powder Rifle Shooting, Falconry and Birds of Prey, Axe Throwing, Crossbow Shooting and of course the legendary English Longbow!

We anticipate catering these events with authentic food (where possible!) including such delicacies as nettle tea, hearty soups and real hog roasts!

It’ll be a short while before we’re up and running with this one, but if you’re interested in experiencing some medieval madness, get in touch with us!