Archive for the 'Adventure Balloons' Category

Autumn Balloon 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.

Hot air balloon flights in Reading

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.

Birthday balloon rides

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.

Balloon Flights over London and the Home Counties

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.

Become a member of the Adventure Balloons crew

Adventure Balloons is the leading balloon flight company in the Home Counties and London, and offers balloon flights from a range of unique launch sites throughout the South East of England.

Have you caught the ballooning bug? Then why not join one of our balloon crews and make the most of those summer months. Because ballooning is seasonal and normally runs between March and November, we generally have vacancies every year for both full time and part time balloon crew operatives.

Being a part of our balloon crew is especially suitable for outdoor types; you must be physically fit, and have good communication skills as you will be dealing with customers and land owners. Experience with Minibuses and 4×4’s would also be helpful, as well as map reading abilities and you must be over 25 and have at least 3 years clean driving licence.

Full time crew will receive a fixed weekly wage and there is also additional hourly paid work for support and promotional work. If you would like to know more about becoming a part of the balloon crew visit the Adventure Balloons website.

Balloon flights over Oxford and surrounding areas

Taking a balloon flight is a magical and romantic time, especially if it is shared with a loved one. Adventure Balloons offers fantastic balloon flights in Oxford and the surrounding area, giving you the chance to view some of the most romantic scenery in the UK.

Adventure Balloons launch sites at South Park and Cuttleslowe Park are ideal to view the unique landscape of Oxford, including its historical spires and tranquil countryside. Morning flights are usually launched from Cuttleslowe Park and evening flights take off from South Park.

Other attractions that you might see when taking a balloon flight in Oxford are; the Didcot Railway, Cuttleslowe Park Miniature Railway and of course the spectacular city of Oxford.

The annual balloon festival in Oxford, which is held in May, is now located at Cuttleslowe Park because of its large open space and Adventure Balloons attends this impressive event each year. Book now to take advantage of Adventure Balloons £20 off special offer, and soon you’ll be experiencing the joys of ballooning for yourself.

Common questions about hot air ballooning

Our customers are an inquisitive lot and always ask us a lot of questions, which is only a good thing. Here are the most common questions and answers that are asked before taking a balloon flight.

What clothes should I wear? – It is recommended that you wear sensible outdoor clothing for your balloon ride. It may be warm on the ground, but when the balloon rises up in the air it is often colder and you’ll be glad you brought your coat. The balloon will take off and land in fields that may be wet, so footwear is important; a pair of hiking boots or wellingtons will be fine.

Is there an age limit? – Children wishing to take a hot air balloon ride must be over 8 years old, and their height must be greater than 4 foot 6 inches; this is so that they can see over the side of the basket. All children under the age of 16 must also be accompanied by an adult. There is no upper age limit, but we do ask that passengers should be capable of climbing in and out of the balloon basket and to be able to stand for about an hour.

What time does the flight take place? – A hot air balloon flight takes place in the early morning or evening. This is because the weather is cooler and this helps the balloon to rise up into the air. Time depend on the sunrise and sunset, but in May you can expect the flight to take place at 6am in the morning and 6pm at night.

What is good weather for ballooning? – To have a successful balloon flight the weather must have light winds, no rain and clear visibility. As you may well know the UK is not renowned for its good weather, but if we have to cancel your flight because of the weather conditions, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible to suit you.

Balloon flights over the Kentish countryside

As you may already know, Kent is widely known as ‘The Garden of England’ because of its rolling orchards and stunning landscape. Adventure Balloons now offer hot air balloon flights in Kent from their launch site at The Hop Farm Country Park close to Tunbridge wells.

In addition there are two other launch sites that Adventure Balloons will use depending on the wind direction on the flight day. These are at Bewl Water and Lamberhurst Vineyard and also boast stunning views of the impressive landscape that Kent has to offer.

When taking a hot air balloon flight over Kent, you can also expect to see the famous Oat Houses that were used for making ale in historical times. Wherever you fly from in Kent, you can be sure that you will have one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life and coupled with the extraordinary sights of the Kentish countryside, will have memories to last for years to come.

Balloon Rides in Surrey

A hot air balloon ride is a magical experience and an unforgettable day for you or a loved one; that is why nearly 50% of our bookings come from personal recommendations alone. Adventure Balloons offers balloon flights from various locations throughout the south of England, including the county of Surrey.

With our unique launch sites in Farnham, Guildford and Godalming, you too can experience the thrills and sights of taking a hot air balloon flight with us.

To ensure that our balloons keep clear of Gatwick and Heathrow airports, the launch site will be chosen depending on the wind speed and direction on the day of the flight. Wherever you fly from in Surrey you will be sure to see some of the best countryside the UK has to offer.

Other attractions that you are likely to see are Guildford Cathedral, Farnham Castle and ancient ruins like Waverley Abbey; all from the comfort of the balloons basket floating majestically over the Surrey landscape.

Booking your hot air balloon flight

Booking a hot air balloon ride has never been simpler with the Adventure Balloons booking system. There are three ways to book your flight; you can use the online booking service, print out a booking form and send it to us or contact us directly by phone.

With a range of balloon flight locations over the Home Counties and London, Adventure Balloons can cater for all your ballooning needs and now offers a happy birthday embossed balloon flight for up to 4 people and a variety of champagne balloon rides.

There are also a variety of balloon vouchers available from £25 up to £250, and is an ideal gift to give a loved one on a birthday or special occasion.

Once you have booked your balloon flight or voucher you can use the date availability page on our website to select a specific date and time you want to fly (depending on availability), and from what location you want to fly from.

So why not book your unforgettable experience today with Adventure Balloons.