The weather is the single most important factor to consider when launching a hot air balloon. Because a hot air balloon floats with the wind and is not directly steered by the pilot, both the weather conditions and wind speed must be acceptable in order to launch the balloon.

On the day of the balloon flight, the pilot will liaise with the weather service to gather information about the climate surrounding the proposed launch site. To predict the weather, the Met Office use another type of balloon called the weather balloon. This has various instruments attached to it that relay information to the Met Office, which in turn past the information to the balloon crew.

A hot air balloon flight will generally launch in the morning or evening, as the winds are more stable and cooler, ensuring that the flight is both safe and providing the balloon with greater lift.

Visibility is another key consideration, as the balloons pilot must be able to see all obstacles and potential dangers to the balloon. A hot air balloon will only fly if the weather is close to ideal and there are no storms or rain forecast; if the wind speed is too high the balloon will also be grounded.

Adventure Balloons now offer a range of hot air balloon flights in the wonderful county of Essex. Taking care to avoid Stansted Airport, these specially chosen and unique launch sites are located in Chelmsford, Colchester and Brentwood.

Alternative launch sites are also located in Braintree, Billericay and Kelvedon and all provide beautiful views of Essex and surrounding areas. The launch site will be chosen depending on the wind speed and direction on the flight day.

Booking a hot air balloon ride and purchasing balloon vouchers has never been easier with Adventure Balloons extensive booking system. Bookings can be taken with the printable booking form, over the phone or through the website.

Balloon flight availability can also be checked online, showing the time and dates where there are spaces available, easy!

Flying from various launch sites in South Hampshire including Alton, Kingsworthy and Winchester, Adventure Balloons can give you the finest aerial views of the South Coast and Isle of Wight from its hot air balloons.

Major considerations must be taken to ensure that the balloon stays out of Southampton Airport airspace and the shipping lanes of the Solent, so the actual launch site will be chosen on the launch day, depending on the wind direction and speed.

During a balloon flight in South Hampshire you may see sites such as Winchester Cathedral, Leckford Estate and the Mid Hants Steam Railway, as well as the Isle of Wight and of course the tranquil Hampshire countryside.

If you already have a balloon voucher or are planning to purchase one, you can use Adventure Balloons Flight Availability schedule to choose to time and date of your flight.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of flying in a hot air balloon, or has seen them floating on the horizon will know that their large dome like structures are both spectacular and magical. The hot air balloon works on the theory that hot air rises, so when the balloon is filled with hot air it produces less mass, lifting it high up into the sky.

There are three basic parts to a hot air balloon, the actual balloon (which is referred to as the envelope), the balloon burners and the balloon basket.

The envelope is the biggest part of the balloon and has to be so large so that it can generate enough lift to carry both the pilot and the passengers.

The balloon burners produce the warm air to heat the inside of the envelope. The burners use propane gas as it is a lot safer and more fuel efficient than alternative gases.

The basket carries the pilot, gas canisters and the passengers and is usually woven from a strong and durable cane. The balloon basket is available in many different sizes, from small and intimate 3 passenger baskets up to larger 20 people baskets for communal flights.

It is now autumn in the UK and the countryside is beginning to change as the nights draw in and the weather gets cooler. Trees are turning vibrant shades of red, fields are being harvested and birds have started migrating to warmer climates. What better way to see the changing landscape than with a hot air balloon flight.

Experience the vibrantly coloured countryside as the balloon majestically floats up to 3000 feet up in the sky, giving you a unique and undisturbed Birdseye view; perfect for taking those unforgettable aerial pictures.

Adventure Balloons has a range of exclusive launch sites all over the South of England and offer flights from some of the most picturesque locations in the UK, including the beautiful countryside’s of Kent, Sussex and Essex, as well as balloon flights over the historical cities of Oxford and London.

Come and experience the delights of a hot air balloon flight by booking your voucher with Adventure Balloons today.

Adventure Balloons have been taking passengers on balloon flights since 1985 from all over the South of England and have various launch sites in the fantastic County of Berkshire, often known as the Royal County because of the royal residence of Winsor Castle.

Adventure Balloons has two launch sites in Reading, flying from both Prospect Park and Kings Meadow. Consideration has to be taken to stay out of Heathrow Airport, so there is also an alternative launch site at Padworth Village depending on the wind direction on the flight day.

During a hot air balloon ride in Berkshire you will get the chance to see the tranquil countryside that Berkshire is famous for, as well as the scenery around the river Thames like Hardwick House and small towns such as Wokingham and Goring. Other attractions you might see are the wind turbine at Green Park, the Courage Brewery and the Madjeski Football Stadium.

Before taking your once in a lifetime experience of a balloon ride, it is important to know how long the experience is likely to take so you don’t miss anything to do with your special day.

You should allow around 3 to 4 hours for the whole balloon ride experience; this will cover the balloon preparation, flight time, packing the balloon away and the certificate presentation and champagne reception.

The preparation of the balloon before the flight and packing down of the balloon generally takes about an hour each, and all passengers are welcome to assist the balloon crew if they wish to. The flight will last for approximately an hour depending on the weather and wind direction, with the balloon travelling between 2 and 20 miles based on the direction and strength of the wind.

A hot air balloon flight is an extraordinary and awe inspiring experience, especially if taken with a loved one and will be remembered for years to come. So why not purchase your balloon voucher or flight today!

For anyone who has been lucky enough to ride in a hot air balloon, they will know what a magical experience it can be, and that the pilots are highly skilled at navigating the balloon to ensure a safe and extraordinary trip.

Here is a quick insight into how the pilot manoeuvres and navigates a hot air balloon.

To make the balloon rise, the pilot uses the balloons burners and opens up the propane valve. Opening the valve releases the propane, which is in turn ignited by the burners producing a flame that fills the balloon envelope, allowing it to rise into the sky. Opening the vale for longer means that more heat is generated, and the faster the balloon rises.

To manoeuvre the balloon downwards, the pilot uses the ‘Parachute Valve’, which is located at the top of the balloon. A cord connects to the parachute valve and runs down to the balloons basket. When the pilot wants to lower the balloon, they will pull on the cord; this opens the parachute valve and lets the hot air escape allowing the balloon to descend.

To navigate the hot air balloon to different locations, the pilot must catch the wind blowing in the right direction. Because the wind blows in different directions at various altitudes, the pilot must ascend and descend to different heights and ride with the wind. This can be difficult as the variation and consistency of the wind is constantly changing.

A birthday is a very special occasion, and what better way to show your appreciation for a loved one than by purchasing them the fantastic experience of a hot air balloon ride. Adventure Balloons has a happy birthday balloon that is perfect for that special day.

Since 2000, Adventure Balloons has operated its unique happy birthday balloon and now has two of them; one smaller balloon for 2-4 passengers and ideal for that individual experience, and a large 16 passenger balloon for bigger birthday groups.

Both balloons sport the Adventure Balloons stained glass effect balloon envelopes and have happy birthday written on them. Available for flights from various launch sites in the South of England, the birthday balloon can also fly from your own venue, providing that there is enough space to launch the balloon and no airspace restrictions.

For more information and prices for our birthday balloons, please visit the Adventure Balloons website.

Adventure Balloons was founded in 1985 and is one of the longest running hot air balloon ride companies in the UK. Offering flights in the South East of England from a range of unique launch sites in London and the Home Counties, Adventure Balloons provides you with an extraordinary experience that will be remembered for years to come.

Most of the launch sites that Adventure Balloons use are exclusive to them, and are situated throughout Oxford, Hampshire, Kent and London to name a few. The launch sites are easy to find and are ideal for friends and family to come and wave you off.

Depending on where you decide to fly from, you can expect to see the rolling countryside and landscapes that the South of England is famous for, or the iconic and breathtaking city views you can see when flying over the historic cities of Oxford and London. All from the comfort and splendour of the balloons basket, as it majestically floats along high up in the sky.