Axe throwing on the rise in Hammersmith

Urban axe throwing has come to Hammersmith as operator Game of Throwing throws open the doors of its first venue in London. 

The global trend is “taking the UK by storm” according to those who have developed the game. 

Game of Throwing is open in King Street, and offers customers the opportunity to take aim at a variety of interactive digital targets. It is the result of a tie up with global entertainment firm Champ Throw. 

Champ Throw introduces a high-tech arcade-style look and feeling to axe throwing, with auto-scoring, multiple game types, similar to modern tenpin bowling setups.  

This allows for a more interactive experience than the traditional challenge of aiming for a bullseye. The Hammersmith venue also includes a neon axe-throwing experience under UV lighting. 

Game of Throwing is the creation of Escape, the Scotland-based company, and has recently opened ten axe throwing venues in England and Scotland.

The urban axe-throwing experience at 136 King Street is open seven days a week, with UV lanes priced at £30 per person and Champ Throw lanes at £35 per person. 

It involves groups of up to five people enjoying 75-minute sessions, with each of the three lanes in use enclosed and under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor who will teach everyone how to throw an axe safely during a training session. 

Axes are thrown 12ft away from a target board, and they are only ever thrown down empty, enclosed lanes. Players must be aged 10 and over and groups with 10 to 16-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.  

And as part of its commitment to safety, Game of Throwing has a policy of no alcohol consumption for participants. As well as groups of friends, the concept is particularly popular for corporate team-building events.

Janis Lacplesis, franchisee of Game of Throwing London, said: “Axe throwing is expected to be among the most popular indoor entertainment activities in the UK this year, and we’re thrilled to be introducing it in Hammersmith. 

“After so long when people couldn’t get together with friends and colleagues, we’re offering an opportunity to book a fun, safe indoor experience that many people won’t have tried before.” 

Game of Throwing spokesman Alan Roden told South London Press: “London has been a bit slow to this, but we think it will prove hugely popular very quickly, as it has done elsewhere in Newcastle and Edinburgh. 

“It originated in Canada, probably based on native American use of tomahawks and has been going for about a year and a half. We think it will do very well here.” 

Pictured: Janis Lacplesis, overseer of the London experience and (below) how the game looks (Pictures: Game of Throwing, London)