The Archertype
BEST FOR
Ages 10+
ENTRY
from £20
WHERE
Manchester
What it’s like
Foam-tipped arrow battles and a buzzer-round gameshow for teenagers and adults, booked online in advance.
Combat Archery is the headline act here: foam-tipped arrows, dodgeball rules, and a lot of ducking behind cover with a bow in your hand. It's fast, it's a bit daft, and the site is upfront that games only last a few minutes each so nobody's out of breath for long. If trivia's more your teenager's speed there's Outplayed the Gameshow too, three rounds of quizzing, challenges and a faceoff, plus Blaster Battles if you fancy an indoor Nerf war with some actual strategy involved.
This one's for the older kids. Minimum age is 10 for Combat Archery and 6 for the gameshow, and anyone under 18 needs an adult with them. A session runs 75 minutes, with ten minutes of briefing and target practice tacked on plus a breather halfway through, so budget a good two to two and a half hours once you count arrival and setup.
Booking is the whole game here, not an afterthought. Everything's online, there's a minimum of four players, and same-day bookings and walk-ins are both out, so this needs planning a few days ahead rather than a rainy Tuesday decision. Prices start at £22 a head for open Combat Archery sessions, and private gameshow groups get cheaper per person the bigger the group gets, from £26 down to £20 for 15 or more. They're also closed Monday to Wednesday, which catches a few people out.
There's a private car park next to the building at £5 for 8 hours, or free parking nearby on evenings and weekends if you fancy saving the fiver. It's a short walk from Ardwick train station too, so it's not a bad one for a train-and-walk visit if driving in isn't your thing.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 10 and up for Combat Archery; the gameshow works from age 6
- Booking
- All bookings online. Minimum 4 players
- Parking
- Private car park adjacent to Universal Building: £5 for 8 hours
- How long to allow
- 2-2.5 hours (75 minute session plus 10 min pre-arrival and setup)
- Getting there by bus or train
- Bus 192, 201, 203, 204, 205 to Ardwick (5 min walk)
- Closed Monday to Wednesday, open by appointment Thursday to Sunday
- Games in Combat Archery are quick, often under 5 minutes each, so it's more bursts of action than one long slog
- Ardwick train station is about a 3 minute walk if you'd rather not drive
- Corporate groups have their own package for up to 20 players at £450
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Open Combat Archery sessions are £22 per person. Private Outplayed gameshow bookings work on a sliding scale, from £26 a head for small groups down to £20 for 15 or more players.
Do we need to book in advance?
Everything's online and there's no same-day booking or walking in off the street. You'll want to sort it at least a few days ahead.
What's the minimum age?
Combat Archery is 10 and up, the Outplayed gameshow is 6 and up. Anyone under 18 needs an adult with them.
How long does a visit take?
The session itself is 75 minutes, but with briefing and setup you're looking at two to two and a half hours all in.
How many people do we need for a booking?
Four players minimum. Standard bookings go up to 20, and there's a bespoke corporate package for up to 20 too.
Does Combat Archery hurt?
The arrows are foam tipped, so they say it feels more like a beanbag than a proper hit. No bruises, apparently, unlike paintball or airsoft.
Can I play if I'm pregnant?
They don't recommend it given how physical Combat Archery gets, but pregnant visitors are welcome to come and watch from the side.
What if we need to cancel or reschedule?
Free with 7 days' notice. Inside that window it's a 20% fee, inside 7 days it jumps to 50%, and within 24 hours you'll lose the lot.
Is there parking?
There's a private car park next door at £5 for 8 hours, or free parking nearby on Higher Ardwick evenings and weekends.
Featured in 1 Huddlepin list
See all Laser Tag & Nerf Arenas in Manchester · Things to do in Manchester
MAKE A DAY OF IT
