Balloon spotting as a hobby has been steadily growing in popularity over the past thirty years, mainly due to the fact that hot air balloons are more affordable, so there are greater number of them and the growing number of balloon festivals being held worldwide. There is now thought to be over 2000 balloon spotters in the UK alone, and this number is increasing every year.

Balloon spotting can be traced back to the first hot air balloons of the 1780’s, where people would gather and watch as the balloon envelope filled up with hot air and ascended majestically into the sky.

The best way of seeing a hot air balloon is to visit a balloon festival; there are many festivals held each year all over the UK, so finding one close to you is easy. A balloon festival will give you a chance to see lots of hot air balloons in one place and will often feature oddly shaped balloons and advertising balloons, just don’t forget your camera!

Another way to see a hot air balloon is to visit your nearest balloon launch site; most balloon operators allow spectators to watch the launching of a balloon as long as they don’t obstruct the launching process.

Balloon spotting has been a popular hobby for many years and dates back from the first manned balloon flights of the late 1700’s, where people would gather to see these huge structures fill up and float away into the distance.

In recent years the digital cameras has come down in price which means that it has never been easier to take photographs on the move. There is thought to be over 1000 balloon spotters in the UK and a large proportion of them use digital cameras for their ease and quality.

If you want to get into balloon spotting you can visit a balloon launch site that is near you; spectators are welcome as long as they don’t interfere with the launching process.

One of the best ways to see a hot air balloon is to visit one of the numerous balloon festivals that are hosted in the UK every year. Here you will find lots of balloons in the same place and see balloons in an array of wonderful shapes and colours.

Taking your own balloon ride is a fantastic experience, but if your budget doesn’t stretch that far, just seeing the balloons set off and land can be just as exciting.