You’ve watched someone hurl an axe at a wooden target. You’ve seen the satisfying THUNK as it buries itself in the bullseye. You’ve thought: ‘I want to do that.’ And then immediately: ‘Actually, can I? I’ve never done anything like this before.’
You can. And you’ll be better than you think.
Axe throwing has exploded across the UK over the last few years — and for good reason. It’s unlike anything else you can do for a group night out. It’s physical without being exhausting, competitive without needing skill, and social in a way that bowling and escape rooms can’t quite match. There’s something deeply satisfying about flinging a sharp object at a target and actually hitting it.
This guide covers everything a first-timer needs to know before their session: what to expect, how to throw, what to wear, whether it’s safe, and how to make sure you have the best possible time. We’ll answer the questions you’re too embarrassed to Google. By the end, you’ll be ready to book.
“I was honestly nervous before I arrived. By the end of the hour I’d hit more bullseyes than anyone in my group. Best night out I’ve had in years.” — Google reviewer, Axeperience London
What Is Axe Throwing?
Axe throwing is exactly what it sounds like: you throw a small hatchet at a wooden target and try to hit the bullseye. Simple concept. Deeply addictive in practice.
It started in Canada as a backyard sport and has spread worldwide over the last decade. Today, there are dedicated indoor axe throwing venues across the UK — modern, clean, and nothing like the logging camp image you might have in your head.
At Axeperience, sessions take place in enclosed lanes — a bit like a bowling lane, but cooler. Each lane has two wooden targets, a certified instructor, and room for up to 8 people. There’s a proper scoring system, different game formats, and by the end you’ll be competing against each other for bragging rights. No experience required. That’s the whole point.
Do I Need Any Experience?
No. Genuinely, none at all. Every session at Axeperience is designed for people who have never held an axe in a throwing context before. Your instructor will teach you everything from scratch.
The technique isn’t complicated — it’s more about consistency and relaxation than strength or skill. Most people hit their first bullseye within 15–20 minutes of starting. Some people get it on their very first throw.
The only requirement is that you’re willing to listen to your instructor for the first few minutes and follow the safety guidelines. Everything after that is just practice and fun.
What Actually Happens at an Axe Throwing Session? Step by Step
Here’s exactly what your session looks like from the moment you walk in:
Step 1: Arrival & Welcome
You’ll be greeted at the entrance and shown to your lane. All equipment is provided — the axes, the targets, everything. You don’t bring anything except yourself and your group.
Step 2: Safety Briefing
Before anyone picks up an axe, your instructor gives a clear safety briefing. This covers: where to stand, when it’s safe to approach the target, how to hold the axe, and what not to do. It takes about 5 minutes and it’s the most important part. Listen carefully — not because it’s dangerous, but because understanding the safety rules means you can relax and enjoy the rest of the session without second-guessing yourself.
Step 3: Technique Lesson
Your instructor shows you how to throw. There are two main techniques — the two-handed throw and the one-handed throw — and your instructor will help you find which works better for your build and stance.
Key things they’ll cover: your grip on the axe handle, how far back to bring your arms, the point of release, and the follow-through. It sounds technical. It’s not. Most people have the basic technique down in under 10 minutes.
Step 4: Practice Throws
This is where you start throwing. Your instructor watches each person in turn and gives individual tips. You’ll probably miss a lot in the beginning — that’s completely normal and part of the fun. You’ll also start hitting the target more consistently than you expected. The axes are perfectly weighted for this kind of throwing, which makes a huge difference.
Step 5: Games & Competition
Once everyone has the basic technique, the session shifts into game mode. Your instructor runs different game formats — target zones, trick shots, tournament-style rounds. This is where groups really come alive. Nothing bonds a team like watching the quietest person in the office nail a bullseye and absolutely lose their mind about it.
Step 6: Final Throws & Wrap-Up
Your instructor wraps up the session with a final round — usually some kind of shoot-off to determine the group champion. Then it’s done: axes down, session over, winner takes the bragging rights. The whole thing runs for 60 minutes and feels shorter than that.
Is Axe Throwing Safe?
Yes — when done in a proper venue with professional instructors, axe throwing is a safe, controlled activity. Here’s why:
- Every lane is completely enclosed. You throw in one direction and nobody else is in the lane while axes are being thrown.
- Instructors are trained and certified. They watch every single throw and intervene immediately if someone’s technique creates a risk.
- The axes are purpose-built for this kind of throwing. They’re not the kind of thing you’d find in a toolshed — they’re balanced, properly maintained, and designed to stick in wood consistently.
- Axeperience has a strict 18+ policy. No exceptions. This ensures everyone in the venue is an adult who can follow safety instructions.
- Nobody approaches the target while axes are in flight. This is the single most important safety rule and it’s enforced without exception.
In short: if you follow your instructor’s guidance, you will have a completely safe session. Thousands of people do this every week.
“I was terrified I’d bounce an axe back on myself. Within 5 minutes of the safety briefing I realised it’s genuinely nothing to worry about. The instructors know what they’re doing.” — Tripadvisor review, Axeperience London
What Should I Wear to Axe Throwing?
Getting dressed for axe throwing is easy. You don’t need special gear, sports clothes, or anything you’d normally wear to a gym. Here’s what matters:
Footwear — this is the only strict rule
You must wear closed-toe shoes. Trainers, boots, or any flat shoe with a closed toe. No flip flops, sandals, open-toed heels, or bare feet. This rule exists in case an axe is dropped — it protects your feet.
Clothing
Wear something comfortable that you can move your arms freely in. Jeans and a t-shirt are perfect. You don’t need to be athletic — axe throwing isn’t physically demanding — but you should be able to raise your arms above your head without restriction.
Avoid: very loose sleeves that could interfere with your throw, anything you’d be devastated to get a small wood-chip mark on (it can happen), and high heels of any kind.
Hair
If you have long hair, tie it back. This keeps it out of your face when you’re throwing and makes the whole experience more comfortable.
Everything else
Leave big bags and coats at the lockers (available at the venue). You don’t need a lot of stuff for this — just yourself, your group, and your competitive spirit.
Top 5 Tips for First-Time Throwers
These are the things most beginners wish they’d known before they started:
- Relax your grip. The most common beginner mistake is gripping the axe too tightly. Hold it firmly but not tensely — like shaking someone’s hand, not strangling a rope. A relaxed grip gives you better control of the release.
- Let your body do the work. Axe throwing is not about arm strength. It’s about the momentum of your whole body moving forward as you release. Step into the throw, don’t just throw from the shoulder.
- Watch where you release. The timing of when you let go determines whether the axe rotates fully and sticks in the wood. Your instructor will explain this in detail — pay close attention to this one point and your accuracy will improve dramatically.
- Don’t overthink it. The people who tense up and try to control every micro-movement of their throw are usually the worst throwers in the group. The people who relax, commit, and follow through are usually the best. Trust your body.
- Learn from your misses. When an axe doesn’t stick, there’s always a reason — it rotated too much, not enough, your release was too early or too late. Your instructor will diagnose it. Use that information on your next throw rather than just throwing harder.
How Much Does Axe Throwing Cost at Axeperience?
Sessions at Axeperience start from just £30 per person during off-peak hours (Sunday to Wednesday). Peak sessions (Thursday to Saturday) are £35 per person.
There are two main session types:
- Social Lane — you join a shared lane with other groups. Perfect for smaller groups or couples. Up to 8 people per lane.
- Exclusive Lane — your group has the entire lane to yourselves. More privacy, more flexibility. Priced differently based on group size.
There are also VIP packages that include exclusive lane hire, snacks, drinks, and a trophy for the winner — ideal for birthdays, corporate events, and stag or hen parties.
How Do I Book an Axe Throwing Session?
Booking takes about 2 minutes online. Here’s how it works:
- Choose your venue — London (Tower Hill) or Birmingham
- Pick your date and time from the available slots
- Select your session type (social lane or exclusive lane)
- Pay securely online — sessions are fully pre-paid
- Show up, throw axes, have the best evening you’ve had in months
All sessions are 60 minutes. The venue is strictly 18+. Closed-toe shoes are required. That’s genuinely all you need to know before you arrive.
Ready to Throw?
You now know more about axe throwing than most people who’ve already done it. You know what to wear, what to expect, how to throw, and why it’s completely safe. The only thing left to do is book.
Axeperience has over 7,500 five-star Google reviews — more than any other axe throwing venue in the UK. There’s a reason for that. The instructors are brilliant, the sessions are genuinely fun, and nobody — not one single person — has left without sticking at least a few axes.
Book your session from £30pp at axeperience.co.uk/booking/ — London (Tower Hill) and Birmingham available now.
