Insight Activities (New Forest)
BEST FOR
Ages 6-99
ENTRY
from £29.87
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Fordingbridge
What it’s like
Woodland archery, axe throwing and bushcraft in the New Forest, with sessions from £29.87 and dogs welcome on-lead.
Bows, axes and a flint-and-steel firelighting kit are the order of the day here, all run outdoors in New Forest woodland. Archery is open from age 6, but axe throwing and crossbow shooting need a steadier 12-year-old, and bushcraft sits at 8+. There's no upper age limit at all, they mention a 93 and a half year old has had a go, which tells you plenty about who this suits.
The activities themselves are the whole point of turning up, whether that's a straight archery session, a combo with axe throwing and battlefield tag, or the medieval trio that mixes a few skills together. Prices start at £29.87 and climb past £40 for the bigger combos, so it's worth deciding in advance whether you want the simple option or the full woodland experience. Everything's supplied on the day, you just need closed-toe shoes and clothes for the weather.
Getting to the ranges means a steepish gravel hill, which is fine for most people but worth knowing if you've got dodgy knees or a pushchair in tow. The toilets are rustic composting ones with no running water, just hand sanitiser, and the access lane is narrow gravel that large motorhomes won't thank you for. On the plus side, parking's free, there's shelter and seating if the weather turns, and dogs are welcome on a lead throughout.
Booking is essential rather than a formality, since they run to strict staffing ratios, though they do say last-minute slots sometimes turn up if you call ahead. Picnics are fine within your activity slot, and for bigger groups of ten or more there's a caterer who'll bring hot food or a cold buffet out to the woods.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 6 to 12s on archery, with axe throwing and crossbows for teens and adults
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended. Last-minute availability often available if confirmed by phone/email before travel
- Parking
- Free car parking on site. Access via narrow gravel lane
- Food
- No on-site café, but catering available for group bookings of 10+
- Picnics
- Allowed within activity time
- Dogs
- Welcome if well behaved and on-lead
- There's a steepish gravel hill to walk down to reach the woodland ranges
- The access lane is narrow gravel, so large motorhomes aren't suited to this location
- You can bring your own recurve bow if the draw weight is under 30 lbs, but check first
- Shelters and seating are available if you'd rather stay dry between activities
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Archery starts at £29.87, with combo sessions like archery and axe throwing at £35.20 and the medieval trio at £40.53. The New Forest Rewilding Retreat Day is £75 for an adult and £55 for a child aged 8-15.
Do we need to book?
Booking is essential to keep within their staffing ratios. Last-minute slots do come up sometimes, so it's worth phoning or emailing before you travel if it's a spur-of-the-moment plan.
What age can children take part?
Archery is open from age 6, bushcraft from 8, and axe throwing and crossbow shooting from 12. There's no maximum age, apparently their oldest participant was 93 and a half.
Does an adult need to join in too?
Ideally yes, so there's always someone on hand to supervise under-18s during the activity.
Is there parking?
Parking's free on site, though the access lane is a narrow gravel track. Large motorhomes may struggle here, but minibuses are fine.
What happens if it rains?
The activities carry on in the rain, and archery can even be run from the shelter to stay under cover. If you'd rather not risk it, optional Wet Weather Insurance at £2.50 a person lets you cancel up to 5pm the day before for a full refund minus fees.
Can we bring our dog?
Yes, as long as they're well behaved and kept on a lead, since there are deer, rabbits and pheasants around. Water and shade are provided for them during the activity.
What about food?
There's no on-site café, but you can bring your own snacks to eat within your activity time. Group bookings of 10 or more can arrange catering for hot food or a cold buffet delivered to the woods.
What should we bring or wear?
All the kit is provided, you just need closed-toe shoes like trainers and clothing suited to the weather. Sun cream in summer and spare layers in colder months are a good shout.
Are there toilets on site?
Rustic composting toilets are available, though there's no running water, just hand sanitiser and wipes.
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