You could be lucky enough to take a flight in one of our new Lindstrand balloons, now that we have two new 16 passenger, 330 cubic feet hot air balloons featuring our house colours and design! Each balloon can lift nearly two tonnes each! Imagine this for your next birthday celebration; what a way to celebrate in style!

A couple of friends of mine decided they were going to book a big balloon trip for their parents 30^th Wedding Anniversary and what a great idea this was. They got in touch with the most immediate family, other siblings, aunties, uncles and grandparents, as well as their parents four closest friends. They managed to pack out the balloon completely and described impeccably the excitement they all felt as they piled on board the giant hot air balloon. They explained about how as it took off into the sky, their parents had felt so special at the thought of the organisation that had gone into the day, the thought to come up with such a special and unique idea. They loved it and were thrilled to share it with their most special people. A basket full of loved ones toasting to the couples happiness 2’000 feet up in the air, surrounded by the most breathtaking views. It doesn’t get better than this.

If you’d also like the opportunity to plan such an event for the special people in your life, then get in touch with us at Adventure Balloons. We offer you plenty of different experiences. If you’d simply like the opportunity to fly in a hot air balloon, just let us know the date and location and we’ll reserve you a space on one of our flights. If you’d like to celebrate a birthday, let us know how many of you will be travelling and again the date and location, then we’ll book you one of our HAPPY BIRTHDAY balloons! Alternatively maybe you’d like a balloon ride for two, to celebrate your anniversary intimately, or could it be that you have a special question you’d like to ask your loved one? Whatever your situation, your plan or your intentions, here at Adventure Balloons we’re sure to be able to offer you a magical balloon flight tailored to your requirements.

Visit us online at www.adventureballoons.co.uk where you can check date availability, locations and even make bookings, or call us on 01252 844222 where a member of our friendly team will be more than happy to assist you with advise, information and bookings. Don’t leave it until the last minute; get in touch now so we can ensure you get precisely what you’re after from your ballooning experience! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

It’s another beautiful sunny day,

Maybe it’s time to swap work for play?

Holiday abroad or mini break,

A day of fun, the choice is yours to make.

Have you thought about fulfilling dreams?

Life isn’t as boring as it seems.

Maybe it’s time you take an expedition,

We can help you with this transition.

Up, up, up and away,

Take to the skies in a balloon today!

Butterflies tickling at your tummy

What a way to spend your money!

Panoramic Birds-Eye views,

A camera you’ll never over use!

Feel the balloon begin to descend,

A memory that will never end.

Enjoy spring offers at Adventure Balloons now and enjoy prices from as little as £89! You can check our available dates, our flight locations and our FAQ’s all online. What’s more, you can even take advantage of our last minute booking facilities which enable you to choose your voucher in seconds, 24 hours a day! You then have the choice to have your voucher posted to you, or emailed in moments, however if you’re after more of a personal touch, then feel free to call us on 01252 844222 where one of our team will be happy to help you with any questions you may have and with bookings.

“What can we expect when we take a flight with Adventure Balloon’s?” many of our customers ask when they call our office; and it’s not hard to find the answer with us! Our website has all the information you could need from our company history, details on our balloons, customer comments, flight videos and photographs, an explanation as to what weather conditions we need, the history of balloons and how a hot air balloon works, an FAQ and even a News facility. In fact not only will our website allow you to find all the information you need and want to know about us and ballooning, but it will also allow you to check date availability against the location you have chosen, and then book the flight‼ That’s not to say however that you cannot phone us for information and bookings, as of course we’re always happy to take your calls – 01252 844222.

So what can you expect from you flight? Let me tell you…

Well, after joining in fully with the real sense of ballooning by helping to inflate the balloon, you will of course embark upon a truly magical adventure! In fact, there really is no other experience quite like it! You’ll find there’s no sensation of movement, no sensation of rising at all, you’ll just look down and see the world dropping away, it’s quite surreal! You’ll look up and see the inside of the balloons envelope, the burners and feel the heat on your face, then look across in any direction and enjoy panoramic 360 degree views of the world around you! The fields will appear like a patchwork quilt and buildings and famous monuments will look like toys on the ground below. You’ll be flying with the birds, no movement of air, as you’ll be moving with the wind.

During your hours flight you could see heights of up to 3’000 feet! The exact height will depend on the wind however as the balloon rises and falls to find the appropriate wind path. During morning flights you’ll be lucky enough to see the world untouched by human hands, wildlife enjoying the world all to themselves. With the use of rotation vents, the pilot can rotate the balloon to provide you with a complete (and quite literal) birds-eye view, which in turns enables you to take the best possible photographs! Having said this however, the pilot will take an in flight photograph of you in the balloon which you can purchase after the flight.

After your flight and when you’re likely to be quiet speechless (and even feeling a little euphoric some have described), you can enjoy the experience to its max by seeing it through to its real end and helping your pilot to pack the balloon away. The pilot will then present you with a flight certificate which of course is followed by the mandatory (and celebratory!) glass of champagne (or orange juice if you prefer) to toast your very own magical mystery balloon tour.

It really is all that you’ve dreamed of and more and at the cost of just £89 per person, it’s a treat you might just be able to justify! Enjoy and Bon Voyage!

Have you decided to resist the urge no longer and are just thinking of the perfect way to propose to your special someone? So many people rush into these things and the amount of questions popped over a drunken evening is really quite staggering. Proposing, or being proposed to is meant to be a day you remember for every, for the right reasons. My own parents for example remember the first flake of snow falling that year as my dad asked the question. My own experience, well, over a drunken game of Balderdash, so no surprises when I tell you that one didn’t make it to the wedding day! To ask someone to marry you should involve a great deal of thought; consider how you can make it special, a memory that will stay with your partner forever.

One of the greatest ways to propose is during a hot air balloon ride. Imagine getting down on one knee, 2’000 feet in the air, floating through the clouds and over the beautiful horizon. Alternatively, spell out the question on the ground below so that your loved one will read it from the balloon as you drift on over! Can you picture their face?! Speaking for myself, this is enough to turn a person jelly kneed! If this is how you plan to do it, you have my upmost respect!

One of our passengers was lucky enough to experience this for herself and here’s what she had to say:

“Hi! My boyfriend (now fiancé) surprised me with a hot air balloon last Saturday for Valentine’s day! I had no idea what we were doing until we got there, and when we reached the highest point in the air he proposed! It was a magical ride and I would like to thank everyone at Adventure Balloons for making it so special. My fiancé had filled them on with the plan beforehand and they did very well to not give away. They were all very friendly and without them I don’t think Kunal could have pulled it off. The balloon ride in itself was amazing with the pilot entertainment throughout the ride whilst still respecting our privacy at times. If you are looking for a truly memorable ballooning experience, Adventure Balloons is the way to go! Thanks guys.”

If you’d like to know more, would like to book, or maybe you’d like to check out our locations and available dates, then why not come on over to the Adventure Balloons website where you’ll find plenty of information and the facilities to make quick and easy bookings. Alternatively, you can call us on 01252 844222 for information and bookings.

GOOD LUCK and don’t for get to invite us to the wedding!

With so many Balloon Flights companies to choose from, how are you supposed to choose?! Well first of all you need to decide on the location that would please you the most; many people like to fly over areas familiar to them, I guess to get a birds-eye perspective over the land – see it from another angle…ballooning will certainly give you that! If you’re interested in any of the following locations, you may just be in luck: Oxford, Reading, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Watford, Tring, London, Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney, Guildford, Farnham, Godalming, West Meon, Alton, Winchester, Kent, Sussex and Essex. Adventure Balloons cover all these areas and offer you an hour’s idyllic flight including a champagne toast and even the experience of setting up and dismantling the balloon!

If you choose to fly over Oxfordshire, one of our most popular locations (aside from London!), you will find that you’re not disappointed! Did you know that back in 1995, we were in fact the first hot air balloon flights company to work with Oxford City Council to enable the public to take balloon flights from the City Parks? Thanks to the co-operation of everyone involved, we can offer you flights with views over the dreaming spires and the countryside around Oxford and the surrounding villages! Look out for the various colleges, the Radcliffe Camera, Carfax Tower and the many Musuems built in the distinctive and historical stone. You may even catch a glimpse of Didcot Power Station, Farmoor Reservoir and Port Meadow, landmarks you certainly can’t miss!

You’re next step is to simply pick your date and the number of people who will be flying. Our website’s date checker will allow you to immediately see if you can have a flight at the location of your choice on the date that you select. You can even go ahead and book your tickets online once you’ve confirmed availability! Alternatively, you can of course call us for more information and bookings on 01252 844222. We look forward to welcoming you aboard Adventure Balloons!

Adventure Balloons sister company Balloon Rides Ltd are offering balloon rides across York and Lincolnshire from just £89! As York’s longest running balloon rides operator, Balloon Rides Ltd have earned themselves a reputation for unparalleled and excellent experience together with a true passion for the sport. The founder Tom Donnelly’s unbounded enthusiasm for the sport has meant that he has gained 30 plus years of experience in flying and also in manufacturing hot air balloons. Now at the forefront of modern hot air ballooning, it’s clear to see why they’re number one choice for the area!  As part of Adventure Balloons, another founding member of hot air balloon rides in the UK, you now have more choice of where you can fly!

At Balloon Rides Ltd we can offer you the peace of mind which comes with having won national, international and world ballooning awards! In fact, we’ve even flown television and film celebrities, secured several national flight records, and made a number of ‘adventure’ flights crossing the English Channel, the Irish Sea and the Alps. With this knowledge you can feel confident that you’ll be getting unmatched expertise, an unblemished safety record, unbeatable service and above all else, an enthusiasm that you won’t find anywhere else!

So if you’re looking to create a memory that will stay with you for life, or likewise, one that will stay with your loved one for eternity, ballooning is the way forward. Hot air ballooning couldn’t be more magical and unique so why not purchase a hot air balloon ride ticket as that special surprise, or book it in place of a holiday this year! Giving this as a gift couldn’t be more wonderful or memorable, a gift idea that is less expensive than you might think! Our balloons are operated from launch sites in Yorkshire around the county’s ancient Capital City of York and over the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside near Grantham, Stoke Rochford and Rutland Water. You can book your flight online where you can also check date availability or alternatively you can call us on 01757 288888 where we will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have and with bookings.

Adventure Balloons fly from many locations; however one of the most popular is South Hampshire. We are told this is likely to be our most beautiful locations covering some of Britain’s finest countryside, towns and villages. We fly from Anstey Park in Alton, West Meon, Micheldever near the railway station and from the City of Winchester. Where the balloon will take you is completely dependent on which site we take off from and of course the direction of the wind on the day. Possible sightings include the glorious Winchester Cathedral, the rolling Hampshire countryside, the post card picture River Test, small idyllic villages such as Laverstoke, Whitchurch, and the Candovers. Other possibilities include larger estates such as Leckford on the River Test where Waitrose produce a lot of their food, the Mid Hants Steam Railway that runs from Alton to Alresford and if you’re very lucky, you may even see a glider circling around Lasham airfield!

Of course there are considerations that need to be made; flying from South Hampshire means that we have to keep clear of Southampton Airport at Eastleigh, and we must also keep our passengers out of the Solent! So as you can imagine, in order to provide you with a safe and enjoyable flight, the chosen site will depend entirely on the wind direction and speed on the day of your flight.

If a flight over South Hampshire sounds like your dream ballooning experience, then come on over to Adventure Balloons! You can book online 24 hours a day where you will be emailed your flight vouchers, or where you can select the option for your vouchers to be sent to you via Royal Mail. You can even check our available dates online and see where you’re most likely to get a flight on your chosen date. Alternatively you can call us on 01252 844222 where we will answer all of your questions and even place your booking for you! We look forward to welcoming you aboad!

Do you or a loved one have a special birthday coming up; a 30^th, 40^th, 50^th or even 100^th!? Is it your child’s 18^th or the big 21? Many people struggle to think of big present ideas to commemorate these special occasions; deciding on an 18^th present for a daughter who has everything, or a 40^th present for a husband that only ever wants DVD’s is not easy! So why not surprise them with something which will not only mark the day in a way that will always be remembered, but that will fulfil a dream for them too. Hot air ballooning remains on Britain’s top ten wish list and things to do before you die list and it’s no wonder really!

What other experience is there quite like it? A hot air balloon ride will take you at flights often as high as 3,000 feet in the air! You will literally float across the skies in an open basket. Unlike a plane, you are not restricted in your vision with just a 10” squared window to peep through. You will be open, with no barrier between you and the sky; you will have a complete 360 degree birds-eye view of the world and have a real opportunity to take in its wondrousness and enjoy true peace and tranquillity. If all this isn’t enough, you’ll even toast the day with a glass of bubbly, courtesy of us!

What makes Adventure Balloons Britain’s No. 1 choice for birthday balloon flights is our exclusive fleet of HAPPY BIRTHDAY balloons. Since 2000 we have been offering passengers balloon rides in our small “Happy Birthday” which is designed to take between 2 and 4 passengers, however due to an overwhelming encouraging response from the British public and our passengers, we have now taken delivery of two 16 person happy birthday balloons for those of you who’d like to party in the sky! Whether you’d like an intimate birthday balloon ride for 2, or a lively one for a party of 16, Adventure Balloons will create your perfect birthday surprise.

If this sounds like what you’re looking for then make sure when booking a date for your flight that you check with our staff for available dates to fly in these balloons – at no extra cost of course! Our Happy Birthday balloon flights are available in Berkshire, Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Oxford, Surrey and York in 2012 – 01252 844222

Adventure Balloons has been operating since 1985 and as the longest running passenger balloon ride company around London and the Home Counties, we certainly believe we are fully equipped with the knowledge to answer your ballooning questions. We have many FAQ’s and so have decided that from time to time we’ll make your questions the feature of our articles so that you have the answers at your fingers tips.

Age & Health Restrictions

Many people ask us of the age and health requirements expected of them in order to be a passenger in a hot air balloon, in turn many have been surprised at our response; we have no upper age limit but ballooning is an outdoor sport requiring a degree of agility. We require that all passengers are medically fit to fly, able to climb in and out of the basket and to stand for about an hour. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on the flight and must be over 8 years old. Children must exceed 1.4 metres (4′6″) in height. Please also note that in the interests of safety and operational requirements we cannot undertake the carriage of passengers whose declared weight exceeds 18 stone (114kg). If you are at all concerned about any medical conditions you may have, please consult your doctor…if in doubt check it out!

What is the Basket Like?

This may sound like an odd one, but a lot of our passengers ask what the basket is like and if it is indeed a basket! Well yes it is! We use partitioned baskets which have been specially designed to ensure your safety, comfort and a superb view. The baskets are about 1.1 metres (42 inches) high, and all feature foot holes to assist in your entry. You will even find that our balloons have seats for extra safety on landing.

What Should I Wear?

First thing to remember people is that this is not a fashion show. Sure so you’d like photo’s for the album as souvenirs of your wonderful day and you want to look good. But trust us when we tell you that it will take away from your enjoyment of the day. Wear sensible outdoor clothes as if you were going for a walk in the country. Let’s remember that you’re going to be given the opportunity to assemble and dismantle the balloon, this is hands on work, plus you will be travelling at heights of about 3’000, so ladies (and gents), please no skirts! We also suggest that passengers avoid shorts, synthetic fibres such as nylon and loose jewellery. The ideal footwear would be flat shoes, or even better Wellingtons or walking boots, particularly in Spring and Autumn as the fields you’ll be traipsing through are likely to be damp. You may be surprised to know that temperatures in the air are warmer than those on the ground due to the heat of the burners so do take a hat to avoid the heat from the burners, particularly on evening flights!

For more of your most FAQ’s take a look at our site where you will also be able to look at our locations, our date availability and even book online. Alternatively call us on 01252 844 222.

The ballooning season has begun here at Adventure Balloons, and so if you’ve been holding onto a hot air balloon voucher from us, maybe as a birthday present, Christmas present or even a valentines present, then maybe it’s time you give us a call and book that flight! It’s very simple to book with us and here’s how to do it.

1. Before you do anything else, you’ll need to select your location. Take a look at our list of launch sites including Oxford, Reading, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Watford, Tring, London, Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney, Guildford, Farnham, Godalming, West Meon, Micheldever, Alton, Winchester, Kent, Sussex and Essex. Once you have found a location or two to consider, you can move onto the next step.
2. Check out our dates page where you can log in and book yourself onto a flight date, update your details, upgrade your voucher, extend your voucher and more. You will also be able to tell how often we fly from each of the locations so that you have a better idea of the chances of a flight from your chosen location.
3. Now you have you voucher, your location and your date, you simply go ahead and book online or call us on 01252 844222 where we will be happy to do it for you. Remember, on the morning of your flight, if you haven’t already here’d from us, give us a call and we will let you know whether the weather is right for ballooning!
4. Get on board and enjoy your champagne flight over the stunning location of your choice. A couple of this to remember; decent footwear for outdoor conditions, no skirts (obviously), a hat to keep the heat from the burners off your head, and of course a camera to take your own pictures of the events of the day and your fabulous birds-eye-view. Remember also, you will have the opportunity to help set up the balloon prior to flights and pack it away after, so this is a real jam packed day of fun and unique experiences!