Freedom to throw. Expert support. A perfect combination!

Review of Eat Sleep Axe, Cheltenham, UK

I know that I am biased, but I love the balance that has been created at Eat Sleep Axe. If you Imagine the feeling of freedom you’d get from breaking into an abandoned building with some mates, building some targets and chucking axes around. That’s the kind of axe throwing experience Eat Sleep Axe aims to create, while at the same time, providing a safe, professional environment suitable for all abilities. 

The decor leans into the abandoned building motif. The range is on the top floor of an old building, with impressive looking steel supports holding up a high, sloped ceiling of wooden strips, broken (deliberately) in numerous places. The rough and ready finish is complemented by wall to wall street art, providing a suitably urban backdrop for throwing (albeit in a fun, cartoonish style). 

Of course, it isn’t really an unsafe, abandoned building. There is a sturdy scaffolding and wire caged throwing area that takes up about half the space. It not only keeps everyone safe, but also adds to the urban look.

The easy-going vibe goes beyond the look though. We were allowed to bring our own axes, a rarity in the UK (if not elsewhere), and could book an exclusive lane to ourselves even for just two people. The exclusive lanes are single-target axe throwing lanes, fenced on both sides so we could throw as much as we liked without bothering about other lanes.

With just three single-target axe throwing lanes, it is one of the smallest venues I’ve visited, but the generous bar-style waiting/spectator area would be ideal for work groups & parties. 

Although it is on the first floor of an escape rooms business (that operates on the ground floor), it isn’t simply an add-on to the main business (as you sometimes get elsewhere). The obvious professionalism and enthusiasm for the sport is evident throughout.

The initial safety/instruction brief was concise, but perfectly adequate. The basics were covered, but no particular emphasis was placed on a specific type of throw. If you want to throw one-handed, two-handed, even underarm, that’s fine. You can do a IATF style step in, or, as I prefer, stand stock on the 12ft line.

I like the range of house axes available, with differing styles, weights and lengths to suit all. Everyone was encouraged to try them all out in an initial warm up period, with the emphasis being to find what suits you best. 

The Axe Coach was very relaxed. He left us to it, as we were all proficient, with just the occasional cheerful comment. However, he clearly had a great deal of expertise and did provide plenty of helpful suggestions to beginners on another lane. He managed to help people tweak their throwing on the other lanes very well, without being overly prescriptive. 

There is a simple to operate bespoke projection system, with images projected on to the boards, to create a variety of different games – everything from WATL/IATF style targets to Zombie Apocalypse. Scoring is on a chalkboard on a handy pedestal just behind the lane. Some might prefer digital scoring, but i like the old-school chalk, and the freedom it gave to play the games as we liked.

Of course, the main thing you want at an axe throwing range are decent boards – and Eat Sleep Axe delivers there too. They are end-grain, but 20cm/8in square blocks, which seems to make a far more consistent finish than the usual 4×4/6×6 blocks you generally see on end-grain. I’m sure beginners would also appreciate these very forgiving boards (as much as I do too).

If I was being very picky, I’d maybe point out that the first floor location makes it less accessible for people with mobility issues. It is also a bit strange being buzzed up from the street via an intercom to walk all the way to the rear of the building and up the stairs. But otherwise, there’s little to fault the experience – apart from it could be bigger I suppose.

I love the freedom to throw at Eat Sleep Axe and the variety of games and axes on offer. I’m still yet to find another venue I prefer.

Disclaimer: “The Axe Inspector” receives no payment or benefit of any kind from either TheAxeThrower.com or from the venue, for this review. The review is the subjective opinion of one person (albeit as objective as possible) and we encourage throwers to try out the venue to make their own mind up. Also, note that Pete George remains a director of the business that runs Eat Sleep Axe.