If you are one of those who find hot air balloons fascinating, you’ve probably dreamt of going for a balloon ride, or maybe even piloting one. The good news is that few know that it is quite easy to become involved. Becoming involved can be as simple as following a balloon and meeting it at its landing spot when you can have a chat with the crew and possibly help with the deflation and packing the balloon away.

Booking a balloon ride is often the most direct way of learning about the sport and at Balloons over Britain you will fly from a launch site that is close to you. You can help with the inflation and deflation of the balloon, this is a sure way to maximise your experience and most passengers enjoy helping. The flight lasts generally an hour, and you should plan to spend about 3-4 hours for the entire adventure. Flights will take place near dawn and dusk when the wind is the calmest.

They come round every year and are upon us before we know it; yes it’s the last bank holiday which means that he summer is drawing to a close. Bank holidays are times when Hot Air Balloon festivals are at their height and when people can witness the sight of many highly coloured and significantly shaped Hot Air Balloons, possibly for the first time.

It is at these festivals that people decide that they too would like to fly in a balloon, which is after all one of the ten most things people desire in their lifetimes. Balloons over Britain having been arranging Hot Air Balloon rides for over 22 years and are considered to be the foremost operator in the UK. You can arrange to buy a balloon ride voucher as a gift for friend or just buy a balloon ride for yourself. All Hot Air Balloon rides can be from a launch site that is close to you, so go online or telephone them at 0845 071 6388.

If you are interested in Hot Air Ballooning and feel that you would like to become involved, the best place to begin is to attend a festival. These festivals take place throughout the year but naturally are mainly in the summer months when they are often linked to other events such as agricultural shows or holiday events.

Balloon Festivals are a popular place to watch balloons fly. Most festivals allow spectators to walk amongst the balloons. So if you go to a festival, don’t be shy, balloonists are happy to answer your questions, and it’s possible you’ll find a balloonist that lives near you. To find out if there is a festival that may be close to you, or to where you may be on holiday, contact Balloons over Britain on 0845 071 6388 and they will be happy to help. Of course the best way to find out about Hot Air Ballooning is to take a ride in one; again Balloons over Britain can help as they will have a launch site that is local to your area.

Hot Air Balloons come in weird and wonderful shapes, bottles, castles, motor cars, and just traditional tear drop styles. They are usually in vibrant colours and always make for good a picture. However, why not go one better and really impress your friends and work colleagues by tasking aerial photographs?  There may be a balloon club near you, which would be a great way to find out about hot air balloon rides. Balloon clubs are friendly places and people, who are members, or those who visit their gatherings for a launch, are after all, like minded people with the same interests of participating in this exciting pastime.

Arranging a Hot Air Balloon flight is easy and there will be a launch site that is close to you. Simply log on to the web pages of Balloons over Britain or call them on 0845 071 6388 where you will be able to see or discuss with an advisor the options that are open to you. The Hot Air Balloon flight operator have been offering hot air balloon flights since 1991 and we are the UK’s largest and longest established balloon flight operators with more than 70 launch sites throughout the country.

If you have not enjoyed the spectacle of a Hot Air Balloon nightglow festival you really are missing a magnificent display put on by Hot Air Balloon enthusiasts. As darkness falls, people begin to gather at the main arena. Waiting for the balloonists to take the field, an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation builds. Almost without warning, the balloonists begin the dramatic display. With accompanying music, they burn, flicker and flash the burners of the tethered balloons, which inflate and glow, creating a magical scene of light and colour illuminating the night sky.

These spectaculars are usually seen at Hot Air Balloon festivals and by contacting Balloons over Britain, you will not only be able to enquire about one of the many options that they offer for you and friends to take a Hot Air Balloon flight, they will tell you where the nearest festival is to be held close to you. Hot Air Balloon flights are arranged from a launch site that is local to you, so contact Balloons over Britain online or by telephoning 0845 0716 388.

You can enjoy the thrill of a Hot Air Balloon ride through Balloons over Britain when you will experience the awesome thrill and peaceful serenity of hot air ballooning. Few can resist the attraction as one hundred feet of wispy nylon effortlessly rises with the burners emitting their dragon like roar. In the balloon basket you will see the ground slowly drift away from you as you rise majestically to heights of several thousand feet and revel in the peace and tranquillity gazing down on the patchwork quilt of the countryside and picturesque villages and towns below.

Balloons over Britain have a variety of packages including balloon vouchers which allow you to choose a Hot Air Balloon Operator flying from a launch site that is close to you. You can choose the date that suits you the best, but remember Hot Air Ballooning is weather dependant and you may not be able to fly on the date of choice. Contact Balloons over Britain, either online, or by telephoning them at 0845 071 6388 for a choice of options designed to suit you.

Ask anyone who has taken a ride in a Hot Air Balloon and they will eulogise over their experience. They will tell you that it is one of the most serene, enjoyable activities ever experienced, truly magical and the countryside is beautiful. Flying in a Hot Air Balloon can be described as incredibly adventurous, having the course of your travels charted by the wind as you skim above trees and rooftops as if in a dream.

Arrange your Hot Air Balloon flight through Balloons over Britain where you can fly from a launch site which is local to you, you will then be transported to paradise looking down on woods, farms, houses lakes and roads, you will be in fairyland! Take part in the hands on preparation of the Hot Air Balloon and help with the deflation and packing away. Ballooning is fun and perfect for that special occasion, one of the most thrilling experiences you will experience.

If you were not able to go to the highly successful Hot Air Balloon festival at Bristol recently there is a great chance to see balloons at the popular Coniston Hot Air Balloon meet which is taking place on August the 28th to the 31st organised through the North West Balloon & Airship club.

There is a great weekend planned with all the usual attractions such as a nightglow festival, tethered balloons and demonstration flights. If you enjoy following balloons during a flight, please do so safely and keep your eyes on the road! When the balloon has landed, unless it is on public parkland, please do not enter the field. It does belong to somebody. Please do not park your vehicle where it may block the way for other road users, especially on narrow lanes. It is the duty of the retrieve crew to find the farmer or landowner to arrange the recovery of the balloon. Feel free to approach the crew on the road. They may be very glad of an extra pair of hands to help with the recovery and packing away. Balloons over Britain looks forward to seeing you.

At Balloons over Britain, because of our countrywide coverage together with our long experience, we can offer you hot air balloon rides or gift vouchers at very competitive prices often with seasonal special offers. Balloons over Britain offer the possibility of booking a air balloon ride throughout the UK with our locally based operations giving you our best prices but also maximum flexibility and choice. Incorporating the largest directly operated fleet of hot air balloons we have grown over years to become the country’s premier provider of balloon rides.

A perfect gift could be one of the vouchers which can be purchased for any region, because let’s face it, a Champagne Balloon Flight is a unique experience and is the perfect gift for any occasion from birthdays to Christmas and all the special times in between. Booking a Hot Air Balloon ride, or buying a voucher could not be easier, either online, or by speaking to the friendly reservations team by telephoning 0845 071 6388.

Were you one of the lucky ones who attended the magnificent Bristol Balloon Festival last weekend? Featured during the weather slot on BBC Breakfast, the festival this year was a rip roaring success with an array of Hot Air Balloons to rival any show in the UK. Naturally Balloons over Britain operators were at the festival and they will be at all the other county shows and festivals to be held during what remains of our summer.

Hot Air Balloon rides were in great demand but it was necessary to have pre booked this in advance, so we are sorry if you were amongst the many who were disappointed. To ensure that you enjoy your first, or it could be a repeat Hot Air Balloon ride, contact Balloons over Britain when you can find out where the next festival is going to be and if rides are available. Alternatively you can arrange with them to have a ride in a Hot Air Balloon from a launch site that is close to you, simply book online, or telephone them at 0845 071 6388.