The best activity in Leicester for almost any occasion is indoor airsoft target shooting at Shooters Range Leicester: one hour on the range, from £25 per person, no experience needed and open to everyone aged 11 and over. What changes from one occasion to the next is the package you book, how many lanes you need and when you go.
This guide is organised occasion by occasion. For each one you'll find the group size that works, the package we'd suggest, game modes worth trying and the best time to book. For the wider list of places to go in the city, see our hub guide to things to do in Leicester for groups.
At a glance
- Venue: Shooters Range Leicester, 65D Bedford Street South, Leicester LE1 3JR (city centre), 0116 403 0334.
- Opening hours: Monday closed · Tue–Thu 17:00–21:00 · Fri 17:00–22:00 · Sat 11:00–22:00 · Sun 11:00–19:00. Check the venue page for the latest times.
- Price: packages from £25 to £60 per person, each a 1-hour session with weapon(s), BBs, safety equipment and briefing included.
- Ages: 11+. Ages 11–16 need a responsible adult (18+) who stays for the whole session. No upper age limit.
- Group size: 4 lanes with up to 3 shooters per lane, so up to 12 shooting at once. Groups of 13+ get a tailored package.
- Reviews: Google 5.0 from 1,100+ reviews and Tripadvisor 5.0 from 300+.
- Gifts: gift cards from £10 to £250, valid for 12 months at any venue.
Why it's the best activity in Leicester for so many occasions
Indoor airsoft target shooting works for stag dos, birthdays, dates and work teams alike because it removes the things that usually split a group. It doesn't need fitness, experience or a particular personality, and it fills exactly one hour.
- Everyone starts level. A trained range officer gives a full safety briefing and supervises the session, so beginners and experienced shooters share the range comfortably.
- The scoring settles arguments. Attacksense smart targets detect hits in real time and score automatically across 14 game modes.
- It scales. One lane suits a couple; four lanes take a group of 12.
- It fits around the rest of the day. A 1-hour session in the city centre leaves plenty of time for food, drinks or a show.
- It runs in any weather. It's fully indoors.
Which package should you book for your occasion?
For first-timers and big groups, the Rifle Experience at £25 is the easy default. Step up to the Pistol (£30), MP7 (£35), Dual Firearm (£40) or Elite (£60) Experience when the occasion calls for something bigger. Here's how we'd match them.
| Occasion | Typical group | Package to consider | Modes to try | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stag do | 6–12 | Dual Firearm (£40) or Elite (£60) | Blitz, Streak | Saturday afternoon, before the night out |
| Hen party | 6–12 | Rifle (£25) or Pistol (£30) | Shooting Gallery, Clear the Board | Saturday afternoon or Friday evening |
| Adult birthday | 4–9 | MP7 (£35) or Dual Firearm (£40) | Endurance, Draw | Friday or Saturday evening |
| Teen or kids' birthday (11+) | 3–9, plus a supervising adult | Rifle (£25) | Target Practice, Shooting Gallery | Saturday or Sunday daytime |
| Date night | 2 | Pistol (£30) or Dual Firearm (£40) | Draw, Clear the Board | Tuesday to Friday evening |
| Work team | 6–12+ | Rifle (£25) to keep it simple | Endurance, Blitz | Tuesday to Friday from 17:00, or Saturday |
| Gift | 1 or more | Gift card for the value of a package | Their choice | Any time within 12 months |
Add-ons let you upgrade without changing package: extra 500 BBs (£4), an Arcturus full metal pistol with 500 BBs (£15) or an MP7 gas blowback with 1,000 BBs (£20).
Stag do in Leicester: what to book
For a Leicester stag do, book an afternoon session for the whole group, ideally six to twelve people across two to four lanes. It gets everyone competing early and sets the tone for the night, and the multiplayer modes Blitz and Streak are made for head-to-head rivalry.
Shoot before the bar, not after: everyone arrives sharp, the safety briefing lands, and the scores give you something to talk about all night. Set a simple format, such as lane against lane over three rounds, with the stag's score checked against the national leaderboards at the end.
For a full day plan, timings and more ideas, read our guide to stag do ideas in Leicester. Groups of 13 or more should contact us for a tailored package.
Hen party in Leicester: what to book
For a hen party, book a Saturday afternoon or Friday evening session and keep the package simple so the whole group can join in. The Rifle or Pistol Experience suits mixed groups where most people have never shot before.
It works because it's different from the usual cocktails-and-brunch plan, and because beginners hit targets quickly once the range officer has run the safety briefing. Solo modes such as Shooting Gallery let everyone have a go in turn, then multiplayer modes turn it into a proper contest.
Remind everyone to wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that cover arms and legs, and to leave loose jewellery at home. Our hen party ideas in Leicester guide covers what to pair it with across the city.
Birthday parties: adults, teens and kids
Adult birthdays
For an adult birthday, a Friday or Saturday evening session with four to nine friends is the sweet spot: two or three lanes, everyone shooting, and time for dinner afterwards. The MP7 or Dual Firearm Experience makes the hour feel like a treat.
Teen and kids' birthdays (11+)
The minimum age is 11, and anyone aged 11 to 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or over who stays and supervises for the whole session. A weekend daytime slot with the Rifle Experience is the simplest plan, and Target Practice and Shooting Gallery are friendly starting modes before the head-to-head games.
Our guide to kids birthday party ideas in Leicester goes into more detail on planning a party around the range.
Date night in Leicester: what to book
For a date night, book one lane for two on a Tuesday to Friday evening. The 2-player multiplayer modes, including Draw and Clear the Board, give you a friendly rivalry without anyone else watching the scores.
An hour on the range leaves the rest of the evening free. Head to St Martins or the Cultural Quarter for a drink, or the Golden Mile for dinner. The Pistol or Dual Firearm Experience adds a little extra without stretching the budget much beyond £30 to £40 each.
For more ideas, see our full guide to date night ideas in Leicester.
Work teams and corporate events
For a work team, book the whole group in one slot across several lanes and run it as a tournament. The live scoring makes lane-against-lane competition easy to follow, and the activity levels the hierarchy because nobody brings an advantage from the office.
Tuesday to Friday sessions start from 17:00, which makes an after-work social straightforward, while Saturdays from 11:00 suit away days. Teams of 13 or more should contact us for a tailored package. For formats, team-size planning and logistics, read our guide to corporate team building in Leicester.
Gifts, family days and visitors
Gifts
If the occasion is a present, a Shooters Range gift card is the simplest option. Choose £25, £30, £35, £50, £60 or £100, or any amount from £10 to £250. Cards are emailed instantly, valid for 12 months and usable at Leicester, Nottingham or Sheffield.
Family days out
With no upper age limit, a range session works for parents, grandparents and teenagers together, as long as anyone aged 11 to 16 has a supervising adult. Book a weekend daytime slot and pair it with an indoor attraction such as the National Space Centre.
Visitors to Leicester
If you're showing friends around, combine the range with the King Richard III Visitor Centre and Leicester Cathedral, then finish with a curry on the Golden Mile. You can book your Leicester session online in a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best activity in Leicester for a mixed group?
Indoor airsoft target shooting at Shooters Range Leicester suits mixed groups because nobody needs experience or fitness. A trained range officer runs a full safety briefing and supervises the session, and Attacksense smart targets score automatically across 14 game modes. Sessions last one hour, start from £25 per person and take up to 12 people shooting at once across 4 lanes.
Which package should first-time shooters book?
The Rifle Experience at £25 per person is the best starting point for casual or first-time shooters. Like every package, it's a 1-hour session that includes your weapon, BBs, full safety equipment and the safety briefing. If you want more variety, the Pistol, MP7, Dual Firearm and Elite Experiences cost £30, £35, £40 and £60 per person.
Can we bring a group of more than 12?
Yes. Shooters Range Leicester has 4 lanes with up to 3 shooters per lane, so 12 people can shoot at the same time, and bigger groups run across lanes. For any group of 13 or more, contact us through the website and we'll put together a tailored package that fits your numbers and timings.
Is it suitable for a 12-year-old's birthday party?
Yes. The minimum age is 11, so a 12th birthday works well. Anyone aged 11 to 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or over who stays and supervises throughout. Everyone needs closed-toe shoes and clothes covering arms and legs, and all safety equipment, including eye protection, is provided at Shooters Range Leicester.
When is the best time to book?
Book as early as you can for weekends and school holidays, because those slots sell out. Walk-ins are accepted subject to availability. Shooters Range Leicester opens 17:00 to 21:00 Tuesday to Thursday, 17:00 to 22:00 on Friday, 11:00 to 22:00 on Saturday and 11:00 to 19:00 on Sunday, and is closed on Monday. Check the venue page for the latest times.
What happens if our plans change?
Bookings are non-refundable, but you can reschedule. The first reschedule is free with at least 24 hours' notice; otherwise it costs £5 per person, and later reschedules cost £5 to £10 per person. You can change the date yourself online using the manage booking page, which is handy when a group's plans shift.