Did we ever tell you about our BBC interview on the local radio station in the Oxford area? Adventure Balloons enjoyed yet another claim to fame via the radio waves where our very own Kim Hull appeared on the Malcolm Boyden’s breakfast show, giving the show the little extra lift (e’hem) they were looking for! But this wasn’t the first, Kim’s has acquired himself quite a repertoire of radio experiences having also taken part in interviews with Chris Evans on Radio 2 and Ellie Harrison on BBC 1!

Kim says;

“I thought Malcolm would want information about our ballooning predecessors such as local Oxford man James Sadler, who was the first Englishman to fly from this country n 4th October 1784 from Christchurch Meadows but he was more interested in the modern day experience of flying in a hot air balloon from Oxford. We were the first company to offer passenger balloon flights from Oxford’s city parks in 1995, persuading the council that it would be a good thing for tourists and locals alike. After the interview Malcolm asked listeners to call in to tell him about their ballooning experiences – ballooning is so reliant on the wind on the day that there is always a story to tell!”

The interview was rounded off with Kim’s usual mug gesture, where Malcolm was presented with one of the company’s giant balloon coffee mugs, perfect for a radio presenter! “We give these to landowners after we land” said Kim “They always go down well”.

Check out the above mug shot

Adventure Balloons are proudly the longest running passenger balloon ride company around London and the Home Counties. Flying since 1985, we have gathered a wealth of experience and passion for ballooning and are able to offer our passengers a supreme experience, and certainly one they’ll never forget. One thing we have learned for sure is our passengers consistent longing to enjoy a flight over an area which is familiar to them, and how this can have a significant impact on their enjoyment of the day. Here at Adventure Balloons we cover the following areas:

Oxfordshire – Balloons flights commenced in this area in 1995 and we were in fact the first hot air balloon flights company to work with Oxford City Council. Enjoy views over the countryside, colleges, the Radcliffe Camera, Carfax Tower and the many Musuems built in the distinctive stone. Also enjoy a birds-eye-view over Didcot Power Station, Farmoor Reservoir and Port Meadow.

York & Lincolnshire – Flights in York will take off from either the Knavesmire (York Racecourse) or often from beside the banks of the River Ouse at the Naburn Lock, just 4 miles south of the City of York.  Enjoy breathtaking views over York’s medieval city walls, Europe’s most spectacular gothic cathedral – York Minster, and of course the surrounding countryside.

Hertfordshire – Take off sites in Hertfordshire are Fairlands Valley in Stevenage, Gadebridge Park in Hemel Hempstead, Cassiobury Park in Watford and Pendley Manor Hotel in Tring, all of which are  chosen to give passengers a mixture of towns, countryside and villages as you drift over Hertfordshire. Look out for the Jacobean Hatfield House, the elegant grounds of Knebworth Park, the M25, and the magnificent London skyline.

Berkshire – Flying from Berkshire since 1990, Adventure Balloons is the only balloon company flying from Reading’s Parks. With launch sites at Prospect Park and Kings Meadow in Reading and for some wind directions we use an alternative site at Padworth Village west of Reading on the A4; there is a choice which will cover the most beautiful areas Berkshire has to offer.

London – Flying from the capital, the ultimate hot air ballooning experience, you are sure to be stunned at how beautiful and peaceful London looks from above. Enjoy aerial views over Alexandra palace, Regents Park, Bedford College, Emirates Stadium, the London Eye, Wimbledon, the Albert Hall, Tower Bridge, Westminster, the Thames, Battersea, Parliament, Buckingham Palace and more.

Essex Kent & Sussex – Rides over Kent will be made from The Hop Farm Country Park near Tunbridge Wells, where you’ll find the impressive Oast Houses that were previously used in the local ale industry. Other sites include Bewl Water and Lamberhurst Vineyard but due to the proximity of Gatwick Airport and the Thames coast line which launch site we use will depend on wind direction on the day.

South Hampshire – Flying from Anstey Park in Alton, from West Meon, from Micheldever near the railway station and from the City of Winchester, you could see Winchester Cathedral, the rolling Hampshire countryside, the River Test, small villages such as Laverstoke, Whitchurch, and the Candovers and large estates such as Leckford on the River Test, the Mid Hants Steam Railway and more.

North Hampshire – With sites at Down Grange and War Memorial Park in Basingstoke, plus our own site at Hartley Wintney, you will see sights such as Tylney Hall Hotel, Wellington Country Park, Stratfield Saye (the Duke of Wellington’s Home) and Bramshill Police training college. You could also see small villages such as Odiham, Hartley Wintney, Crondall, Overton, Dummer and small towns such as Hook.

Surrey - Launching from Shalford Park in Guildford next to St Catherines Chapel and from the Burys in Godalming next to the River Wey, plus from Farnham Park, next to Farnham Castle. Look out for Guildford Cathedral, Frensham Ponds, Loseley House and Alice Holt Forest.

Are you booking your next year’s summer surprise? Have you decided to knock the vacation on the head for the coming summer and to try something a little different this time? Many people have changed the way they do their summers these past couple of years and with the latest government cuts and taxations, it’s only going to keep changing. So not many of us can afford a yearly break, and instead opt for camping trips and UK weekenders in the caravan; that’s fine, we’re all in the same boat, so to speak, but wouldn’t you prefer to be in a balloon?

Here at Adventure Balloons you can enjoy a hot air balloon flight across locations such as Oxfordshire, York, Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, London, Essex, Kent, Sussex, South Hampshire, North Hampshire and Surrey!

Our popular North Hampshire location has launch sites in Down Grange and War Memorial Park in Basingstoke. However we also have our own site based in Hartley Wintney. You will find all these sites conveniently positioned for access to the M3 motorway.

During your alternative summer day outing you will see sites such as Tylney Hall Hotel, Wellington Country Park, Stratfield Saye (the Duke of Wellington’s Home) and Bramshill Police training college! Keep your eyes peeled for the small villages of Odiham, Hartley Wintney, Crondall, Overton, Dummer and Hook which will look like toy towns from your birds-eye view 3,000 feet up!

The icing on the cake however is the champagne toast, adding the final touch of elegance to your tranquil, magical balloon tour over your favourite location. Our passengers often comment on a feeling of royalty, and many of them get in touch to say that the whole day didn’t sink in until the following day. It really is no wonder that hot air ballooning is high on our lists of things to do, so why put it off, make it happen!

Get in touch with us by phone on 01252 844222, e-mail, or alternatively you can check date availability or make bookings online.

Hot air ballooning is all about the weather! Being a completely weather dependent activity, specific date bookings can never be guaranteed. So where many of our balloon ride passengers fly on their first attempt, you’ll also find that equally as many will first undergo a few attempts. You will need to have a certain degree of patience when it comes to taking your flight; the more bookings you make the quicker you will get your chance, but worry not, we can safely say that the experience is always worth the wait.

As the UK is positioned on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean it means that traditionally we have low pressure weather systems in the winter and more high pressure systems in the summer. Higher pressure weather normally brings blue skies, light winds and little rain, where as the lower pressure systems tend to bring storms, rain and strong winds. For this reason, hot air ballooning seasons run from April to October and it is thought that the best time to fly is between July and August.

Flights tend to take place at sunrise or sunset as this is when the wind can be a little lighter. For the flight to go ahead, winds must be less than 10 miles an hour during the hour after dawn or before dusk and so careful monitoring is always required! Don’t panic however; we always let our passengers know well in advance. We use forecasts and rely on this information to be able to make the decision to call the flight on, however sometimes this information can be incorrect and so on rare occasions we have to cancel at the launch site.

It is actually very simple to predict if the wind is going to be very light or too strong and often it can be seen some days ahead as high or low pressure weather systems approach. If suitable conditions can be seen ahead, we will text passengers of available spaces and sometimes even put on additional flights.

Visibility is the trickiest to predict and is certainly the main culprit in terms of error in weather forecasts. With various weather conditions such as mist, fog or low cloud being rather subtle and varying from mile to mile, our balloon pilot’s always ensure they access the most up to date information and even rely on local knowledge.

Ballooning in the rain is frankly not an option. When you consider that the top of the balloon reaches nearly 100 degrees Centigrade (the boiling point of water), it will come as no surprise that when the rain falls on the balloon, its cooling effect is sure to have a consequence! If the balloon cools it will descend rapidly and so the pilot has to put in extra heat from the burners to compensate for the heat loss. The whole ordeal is bad for the balloon fabric and makes the balloon much harder to control; what’s more, packing the balloon away while it’s wet is not the greatest idea! So it is basically a case of watching the weather radar closely to see where the showers are forming, where they are tracking and if they are beginning to die away.

As I’m sure you can now gather, there are plenty of weather conditions to be mindful of, so if you’re booking your balloon flight, remember, if it’s cancelled, it’s for your own safety! However your patients will always be rewarded when it comes to hot air ballooning – Adventure Balloons will certainly guarantee you one of the most magical experiences you could ever have.

Hot air ballooning is the most unique and romantic way to take to the skies; unlike any other form of flying, you have a 360 degree view of the world around you giving a real sense of freedom and an idea of what it must feel like to be a bird in flight. Until you’ve experienced it yourself, you can only imagine what it would be like to feel completely un-inhibited, to see the world as you know it shrink to the size of a model toy land; places that where once familiar to you will appear unreal, you will have a whole new perspective of distance and locations.

At Adventure Balloons you can choose your preferred location flying from Oxford, Reading, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Watford, Tring, London, Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney, Guildford, Farnham, Godalming, West Meon, Micheldever, Alton, Winchester, Kent, Sussex and Essex. All you need to do is book online or call on 01252 844222 and you’ll have your dream ambition booked in 5 minutes! We recommend that you call for a final weather check the evening before your morning flight so that you can be sure that the conditions are right for flying. On the morning or evening of your flight you will even be invited to help with the preparations setting up the balloon ready for flight! You can expect your flight to last about an hour, however with the preparations, travel and champagne toast, the whole experience is more likely to last for about three and a half hours.

Our vouchers are valid for 12 months; however our flights run from April to October. Due to safety regulations, passengers must not exceed 18 stone and passengers must be able bodied enough to climb into the basket which is approximately 1.1 meters tall. Our minimum age is 8, and anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. We do not have an upper age limit; we only ask that you are of good enough health to fly. If you have any doubts at all, please confirm with your doctor who can advise if hot air ballooning appropriate for you. Those who are pregnant or under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be able to fly and we recommend flat shoes or walking boots along with clothing suitable for the time of year as you will need to walk through fields to get to the balloon.

Most people are unable to commit to the hot air ballooning experience until they’ve had their minds put at ease and until they have the answers to their questions. Taking a trip into the sky by a giant balloon would of course spark a natural curiosity; many people have so many questions and have no idea how to prepare for their adventure. So here are a few of the most frequently asked questions and their answers to give you a better understanding of what to expect.

What am I meant to wear on the day?

It is recommended that you dress for the outdoors, because let’s face it; you’re going to be up in the sky in a basket! Please refrain from wearing skirts, shorts or synthetic fibres such as nylon and also avoid wearing loose jewellery. You will be traipsing across fields, so do wear suitable footwear for the possible muddy ground! It is also advisable that you wear a hat to protect your head from the heat of the burners.

Am I too old to fly/Is my child to young to fly?

You will be happy to hear that there is no upper age limit to these flights. All we ask is that you are fit and able for what is involved. You will need to be able to climb in and out of the basket which stands at approximately 1.1 metres tall. All passengers below the age of 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult, and children younger than 8 or below the height of 1.4 metres will not be able to fly.

Please also note that passengers weighing over 18 stone or 114kg will not be able to fly for safety reasons.

Can we pick the time of the flight?

The simple answer to this question is no. Balloon flights take place either during the early morning or the evening. These times will normally depend on the sunrise or sunset and so the times can vary during the course of the year. Normally however, flights commence at approximately 6am or 6pm.

How much notice do I have to give to book?

Worry not. You can book your flight dates either on our date availability page or by calling our office on 01252 844222 and you will find dates available almost immediately and those practically a year off! You can purchase a gift voucher at any time with flights commencing during March or April and running through until the end of October (or sometimes longer depending on the area).

How do I book?

It couldn’t be simpler; you can either order a gift voucher on our bookings page, where you will be sent your voucher pack instantly by e-mail or by post, or you can telephone us on 01252 844222 to make a booking ‘in person’ so to speak.

Your pack will include a colour gift voucher, brochure and our 20 page map pack which includes launch site details, check in times and plenty more practical information about the flight so that you can focus on getting excited!

Hot air ballooning tends to be one of those adventures we all take a long hard think about before we take the leap to booking. Many of us like to ask around; word of mouth can be very reassuring, others like to read up on everything they can find on the various flights companies there are. There are those that break the mould entirely however and just book at the first given opportunity, completely overwhelmed at the pure excitement of the whole thing! Well here at Adventure Balloons we have created our very own Blog so that you can keep on top of all the latest news, FAQ’s, discounts and special offers, or read up on our more educational posts. Over your chosen course you can discover everything you need to know about us, ballooning and what to expect purely from our blog page, then at a time of your choice you can go ahead a make that booking, by phone or online!

On the website you will find various different useful areas such as ‘News’ which brings you all the latest as soon as we know it, ‘FAQ’ which gives you a complete list of popular questions and answers, ‘About’ which will provide you with everything you need to know about us, ‘Locations’ giving you a complete list of the areas we cover, where our launch sites are situated and what you’re likely to see on our different routes, ‘Bookings’ where you can make your bookings (pretty self explanatory really) and ‘Dates’ where you can find out if your chosen date is available, weather dependent of course! Lastly you will find our ‘Birthdays’ section where you can book that special flight in a Happy Birthday Balloon for your friend, family member or loved one.

So if your considering to take to the skies in the most exciting way imaginable, get in touch with us here at Adventure Balloons, not only are we the largest UK balloon flights company, but as a CAA certified balloon flights operator, we can guarantee you optimum safety and the friendliest service!

Here at Adventure Balloons we pride our elves on the service we give our customers, not just in the air, but online too. We have compiled a range of ideas to bring you the most innovative ways to learn about ballooning, to learn about us, to make your booking and even to preview other peoples in flight photographs first so you know what to expect from your flight experience. You will find many resources on our site including the ‘About’ us page where you can find all the information you need about our history, our experience and expertise, our customers testimonials and a description of what to expect from your day. Customers find this section useful in gathering knowledge of us and reassurance that they are in safe hands. This is also a popular section for customers who are a little nervous about their flight and would like to learn a little of what to expect.

You will find a whole page on our London flights where you can learn of our different London launch sites and what you may be lucky enough to see during your flight. Here you will also find a great selection of bird-eye view images of London and its attractions taken from the balloons themselves. Take a peek at our locations page where you can discover our various other flight launch sites in destinations such as Oxford, Reading, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Watford, Tring, London, Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney, Guildford, Farnham, Godalming, West Meon, Micheldever, Alton, Winchester, Kent, Sussex and Essex. Select from any of the listed locations and learn of what you are likely to have in store for you from there as well as catching glimpses of the various different landmarks of the areas.

Also available online is our bookings feature which enables you to quickly and simply book your hot air balloon voucher from the comfort of your chair. Choose from various different packages and discounts and find flights from as little as just £69 per person! Here you will also have the opportunity to buy gifts and memorabilia as well as your in-flight photographs. Choose an e-voucher as a gift and select from various different voucher designs. The process is straight forward and you will receive your printable e-voucher by e-mail right after you have filled in the boxes. Take a look at available dates to confirm we’re free on that important day and what’s more, we even have birthday balloons available which you can read all about at our Birthdays section.

You really can discover everything you need to know about us and about hot air ballooning at www.adventureballoons.co.uk. However if you’re looking for the personal touch, just give us a call on 01252 844222 where one of our team will be very happy to help.

A hot air balloon flight is on the list of top 10 things to do.  The thrill of drifting through the skies in a hot air balloon simply cannot be matched, yet many of us are apprehensive about venturing off on a hot air balloon flight.  You may be wondering if you are medically able to experience a balloon flight, if you are of the right age or build.  Here are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions to help you feel prepared for the thrill of a lifetime.

Is there an age limit?  There is no upper age limit when it comes to experiencing a hot air balloon flight.  You simply need to be able to stand for at least an hour and be able to climb in and out of the basket.  There are restrictions however, on height, weight and young children.  You must be at least 4 feet 6 inches to fly and we cannot take passengers under the age of eight.  We cannot take passengers with a declared weight of over 18 stones (114kg) due to safety and operational requirements.

Can I fly if I have a disability?  We endeavour to make flights possible for as many people as we can. We do not discriminate against people with disabilities, we encourage them to experience their flight with us.  All that we ask is that any individual with a disability, or medical condition that could be considered to affect the safety of yourself and others, should inform us so that we can respond to the duty of care of the individual and other persons on the flight.  We cannot express an opinion in regards to your fitness to fly and therefore, if you have any medical conditions, you should speak to your GP or specialist. You may be required to provide a certificate of your fitness to fly from your GP or specialist.  If you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, you will not be able to fly.  Unfortunately, due to health and safety reasons we are unable to take women who are pregnant or individuals who are confined to a wheelchair.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable for flying?  Ballooning is very weather dependent so if conditions are not right, your flight will be re-scheduled for the nearest available date.  You will be required to contact your flight operator on the day of your flight to confirm if your flight will be going ahead.  You will receive further details about this when you book your flight.

Are balloon flights safe?  Ballooning activities intrinsically involve the possibility of physical risks greater than those encountered in daily life, even though they are conducted under the supervision of commercial pilots who exercise all due precautions to ensure safety. By taking part in such ballooning activities passengers are understood to be fully aware of these risks. All Balloons Over Britain Operators are certified and regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and all the pilots hold full Commercial Pilot Licences. All operators carry combined single limit insurance to current European standards.

If you have any further questions that you would like answered, simply contact Adventure Balloons on 01252 844222.

Cloudhoppers have become increasingly popular over the past few years and are primarily used by balloonists and hobbyists who want to experience the delights of ballooning without spending a fortune.

A cloudhopper is a term used to describe a solo balloon that has either a seat or harness for the pilot to sit in; they are often a lot smaller than passenger or commercial balloons and therefore can be launched with just one person, adding to their appeal.

As with standard hot air balloons, cloudhoppers use balloon burners and propane tanks to ascend into the sky, with the propane tanks situated behind the pilot thus leaving his sight unobstructed. The balloons seat or harness can normally rotate independently, making it easy to navigate and land.

Cloudhoppers and solo balloons are the cheapest way to get into ballooning and there are now various clubs all over the world who have regular balloon meets where you can meet like minded people and swap tips and techniques.