About us

We are a relaxed, thriving club, with a growing membership on the outskirts of South West London. We cater for both juniors and adults, and we're a family club, where many parents enjoy the sport of archery together with their children - the social aspect is one of the things our members value most especially when we gather round for bacon rolls or homemade sandwiches on a Saturday morning.

We encourage our members to compete, either in competitions, or, in the fun events we organise throughout the year. We cater for the disabled, and have several members who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, autistic and wheelchair bound. We have helped nurture a successful junior team which has won many regional and national titles. This success has put Chessington Bowmen on the map. Our adults won both male and female target titles at the recent Surrey County Championships, and also the Surrey Field Championships too, as well as setting UK national records and representing team GB.

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary with a BBQ and fun shoot in May. You can have a look back at photos from the last 40 years in our special book - the club is very proud to be running for such a long time, we must be doing something right.

Chessington Archery Comps About us 2jpg Archery coaching and fun shoots.

Chessington Archery Comps About us 3jpg Fun shoots with animals and zombies, and competitions too.

When, where and what we shoot

Our archery field is at the back of Imber Court Sports Club (opposite CrossFit Gym) and the field is open 24 hours a week. There are targets set up permanently throughout the year, so you can just turn up and shoot. We shoot recurve (Olympic style), compound, barebow and traditional longbows and we meet on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm throughout the year.

From October through to Easter we also shoot indoors at the fantastic facilities at King's Centre in Coppard Gardens, Chessington KT9 2GZ, on Wednesday evenings from 4pm to 8.30pm.

Details and directions for our outdoor field at Imber Court Sports Club, KT10 8EG

Details and directions for our indoor facilities at King's Centre, KT9 2GZ

Club history

Chessington Bowmen was founded by Ted Bradford and Colin Stevens in 1983. Originally based in Chalky Lane, Chessington, just opposite the Zoo, we've moved grounds a few times since then. From Kingston University, Moor Lane to Kingston Rugby Club on Hook Road, Chessington (September 2012) and our new field is at Imber Court Sports Club, Ember Lane, East Molesey (since September 2021).

For many years we staged the King's Cup indoor archery competition, which was later renamed the Bradford Memorial Shoot in memory of two of the club's founders, Ted and Brenda Bradford, who sadly both passed away in January 2018. Please note: this event has not run for the last few seasons.