Archive for the 'Adventure Balloons' Category

Purchasing a hot air balloon voucher

With nearly half of Adventure Balloons customers coming from personal recommendations, you can be sure that booking a hot air balloon flight with us will give you the most exciting experience of your life.

Even better, Adventure Balloons have now taken £20 off their weekday and standard balloon vouchers making it even easier to take to the sky in a hot air balloon. Booking your flight has also been revamped, so you can order online through the website, download a printable booking sheet or order over the phone effortlessly.

The balloon flight will last for around 3 to 4 hours including balloon preparation and champagne reception, with an air time of an hour. Prices are £125 per person for flights in the Home Counties, £185 per person for London flights and a birthday balloon ride for up to 4 people is £500-£750 depending on location and the number of people. So why delay, book you’re once in a lifetime experience today.

Birthday Balloon Flights

Many people purchase a hot air balloon flight or balloon voucher as a birthday present for a partner or loved one, and what better way to celebrate this special day than with a balloon with happy birthday written on it.

Adventure Balloons Happy Birthday Balloon features the same stained glass colour scheme as the rest of their balloons, only it’s a little smaller and capable of taking up to 4 passengers for a more intimate flight.

Adventure Balloons can also fly from your own location, providing there is adequate space for a balloon launch and no airspace restrictions.

For more information and prices visit the Adventure Balloons website or call 01252 844222 for an individual quote.

Adventure Balloon Rides in Berkshire

Adventure Balloons is one of the biggest passenger balloon companies in the UK and flies from numerous launch sites over the Home Counties and London, including balloon flights in Berkshire from its unique launch sites in Reading and near Padworth Village.

Since 1990, Adventure Balloons has had the exclusive rights to fly from Reading’s Parks, giving passengers a unique view of villages and towns along the River Thames including Henley on Thames, Streatley and Wokingham, boats travelling along the river and fantastic views of Reading Football Club’s ground, the Madjeski Stadium.

There are some considerations to take when flying from Prospect Park or Kings Meadow in Reading, namely avoiding Heathrow Airport airspace, so if the wind direction is unfavourable then the flight will launch from an alternative site in Padworth Village to the west of Reading.

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flights

Watching a sunrise with a loved one or partner can be an amazing experience, but just imagine watching a sunrise from the basket of a hot air balloon, as you gently float through the sky. Well you don’t have to imagine if you choose a morning balloon flight from Adventure Balloons.

As balloons fly better at cooler periods of the day, Adventure Balloons either fly in the early morning or evening, so if you choose a morning flight there’s every chance you will see the sunrise during your trip. A balloon flight typically lasts for around an hour and can travel from 2 to 20 miles depending on the strength of the wind.

Photographs will be taken during your flight, by the highly experienced team and passengers are encouraged to bring their own cameras and camcorders to capture their own experiences.

A balloon flight is a great experience and coupled with a sunrise or even a sunset depending on the launch time; can become one of the greatest moments of your life and an experience to remember for years to come.

Exclusive Balloon Rides

Looking for the ultimate present for a partner or loved one? Then why not treat them to an exclusive hot air balloon flight for two. Whether you want to pop the big question, celebrate your wedding anniversary or want to treat your loved one for a birthday or special occasion, an exclusive balloon flight is a truly owe inspiring experience.

Adventure Balloons is able to cater for an particular requirements you may have when it come to your balloon flight, and with numerous different launch locations in the Home Counties and London; there is sure to be a location near you.

Most of the launch sites that are used by Adventure Balloons are unique to them, and are ideal for family and friends to watch you take off. These unique launch sites give the added bonus of having both countryside and town views during the flight.

For more information about exclusive balloon flights go to the Adventure Balloons website.

The Padbury family balloon ride over London

As hot air ballooning is very weather dependant, organising a group for a hot air balloon flight can have its problems, particularly if the passengers come from different locations. Because of the notorious British weather, an average balloon flight has around a 50/50 chance of flying.

Adventure Balloons was especially pleased when a group of 7 family members flew over London on only their second attempt. Members of the Padbury family had travelled from as far as Derbyshire for the Balloon flight, that sore them fly over Toothing and Mitcham where some of the family members had grown up in.

“It was a real trip down memory lane for all of the family” said Iris.

Also on the flight was Simone Giles who had travelled from Huddersfield and who became an adopted member of the Padbury family on the day.

After the flight the Padbury family and Simone were taken for breakfast at the Adventure Balloons popular watering hole, Monty’s in Coulsdon; this finished off a super day for all.

Join the Adventure Balloons Team

Fancy doing something totally different over the summer period? Then why don’t you work with the Home Counties leading hot air balloon passenger company, Adventure Balloons. Due to the seasonal limitations of ballooning, every year there are vacancies for full and part-time balloon crew members.

With bases in Hartley Wintney and Hemel Hempstead, Adventure Balloons covers balloon flights in Kent, Surrey, Oxford, Central London and throughout the surrounding areas.

To work as a member of the balloon crew you need to enjoy being in an outdoor environment, be physically fit and good with the public and landowners. Industrial training is provided by the Adventure Balloons team.

Experience with minibuses, 4 x 4’s and trailers as well as basic map reading would also be useful. Applicants must have at least three years clean licence and be over 25 years old.

To apply for a job or for more information visit the Adventure Balloons website.

It’s a dog’s life

Being one of the UK’s largest hot air balloon companies, flying passengers all over London and the Home Counties there are always some interesting stories that we are lucky enough to be a part of.

One of these interesting stories was from an Adventure Balloons flight from Farnham Park on the 14th of June.

Marion Beal turned up for her balloon flight with her husband Richard who had come to wave her off, but when a last minute space became available he could not resist taking the flight as well. After all, it’s much more fun to experience a hot air balloon ride with a loved one.

With only minutes till take off, the pair were left with the decision of what to do with their Jack Russell called Moet. Richard got the dog basket from the car and Moet was put into the balloon recovery vehicle for a front seat view with our balloon crew, who are appropriately named the balloon “retriever”.

After the flight Marion and Richard were reunited with Moet and returned to their car in Farnham Park in the Adventure Balloons minibus. An exciting morning for everyone involved, especially Moet.

Hot Air Balloon Flight Safety

Before a hot air balloon can take to the skies, the Adventure Balloons team has various safety checks to perform. Whilst the balloon crew are preparing the balloon the passengers have a safety briefing, where they can ask questions about any worries or concerns they have.

The balloon pilot will examine the weather, to ensure optimum flying conditions and will also select the best launch site. Visibility and wind speeds are key issues for a successful balloon flight and the launch site must have enough space to lay the balloon out and inflate it without any obstructions, like poles, power-lines or trees.

Every aspect of the hot air balloon is safe. The fabric used for the balloon envelope is a mixture of nylon and polyester and is very strong, and Nomex is used near the burners as it is flame resistant. The amount of fuel onboard is also taken into account, taking care not to overload the balloon as this could be hazardous.

The balloon basket that carries the pilot and passengers is also extremely safe. Woven from Kooboo and Palambang, these baskets are sturdy and lightweight, and are capable of absorbing the impact of a landing without sustaining any damage.

Adventure Balloons are committed to the safety and enjoyment for all of their hot air balloon passengers, and believes that flight safety comes first.

Hot Air Balloon Flights in Hampshire

Adventure Balloons have several launch sites in North Hampshire, the launch sites are carefully chosen to ensure that the balloons will stay clear of Heathrow Airports Airspace. In addition to Heathrow Airport, it is also important to stay clear of Farnborough Airport, especially during the Farnborough Airshow.

North Hampshire launch sites are located at Down Grange and the War Memorial Park in Bassingstoke, Hartley Wintney and Old Basing. The Hampshire launch site used will depend on the wind speed and direction, plus any other operational factors on that day.

During a hot air balloon ride in Hampshire you may be able to see Tylney Hall Hotel, the Duke of Wellington’s Home (Stratfield Saye), Wellington Country Park and the Bramshill Police training college. Other sights you might see are villages such as Odiham, Crondall and Overton and small towns like Hook.

Book your hot air balloon ride over Hampshire with Adventure Balloons.