Balloons Over Britain are the UK’s leading balloon flights co-ordinator managing balloon operators right across the UK. Most of our members companies have been operating passenger balloon rides for over ten years and some hold experience for twice as long as that! It’s no wonder that Balloons Over Britain are the UK’s number one choice for passenger balloon rides!

Considering our extensive list of member companies along with the many years experience held by all, Balloons Over Britain hold an unparalleled wealth of operational experience combined with the highest operating standards. However more impressively, from our endless experience has come many of the procedures that have now been incorporated into the industries standards via our regulatory body, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)! And to clarify, all Balloons Over Britain members hold Air Operators Certificates issued by the CAA. Please note that this certification is only granted to fare-paying-passenger carrying companies who satisfy the organisational and safety requirements required by the CAA.

You can experience an intimate balloon ride for two or even make a booking for a party of 16, that’s the beauty of Balloons Over Britain, with all our member companies, we have a choice of so many balloons! Take a look at our map of the UK for an idea of the areas we cover, or alternatively view our list of balloon ride operators.

However many of our customers are not looking for a standard passenger balloon ride, instead they turn to us for help with Corporate entertainment as incentives for their customers and clients or even their staff and often people come to us regarding Commercial opportunities for balloon operation and advertising. Whatever it is you’re looking for, simply visit our site or call us on 0845 071 6388 for more information.

It is of most peoples opinion, that hot air ballooning is or would be one of the most romantic things a couple could do. Picture this; you’re in a relationship, maybe it’s new and you’re both full of that wonderful fuzziness, unable to think about much else but each other at every given moment of the day, or maybe you’ve been together for years and you’re stronger than ever, more in love with each other every day. Now imagine experiencing the beauty and tranquillity of a romantic hot air balloon ride with your loved one, sharing in an experience which will stay with you forever.

Imagine standing side by side, anticipating the feeling as the ground falls away and you both lift high into the sky, the landscape becoming the most beautiful painting you’ve ever seen, the air smelling sweater the higher you go. Just think of how perfect it would be to watch the world drift on by, a full 360 degree view of the land beneath you, the most tranquil experience, breathtaking, and shared with the person you want to spend the rest of your days with, your soul mate.

There couldn’t be a more perfect experience which is why so many people are now choosing to get married in hot air balloon. In fact people all over the world are getting hitched while floating gracefully over their favourite countryside, and wouldn’t you if you could? Many people book the day with a flights company who fly over an area which is sentimental to the couple, which can only enhance the perfection of the day. Although the service itself doesn’t actually take place in the balloon, the couple do get married on the ground and will then go up in the balloon afterwards, celebrating their marriage whilst flying in the air, and what a way to mark the day!

If this is something which appeals to you, an idea you’ve contemplated with your partner, then why not get in touch with us here at Balloons Over Britain where our member companies cover locations right across the UK! If you’d like to know more, simply call 0845 071 6388 where we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

Hot air ballooning began as a crazy hobby entertained by the wealthy (or the slightly insane) and for many years ballooning over certain distances and oceans became an ambition of many. It has now established itself as a highly beneficial medium for advertising, as a popular corporate entertainment activity or incentive, and at the top of many people’s ‘Top Ten Things to Do Before They Die’.

In terms of corporate entertainment, what better way to treat potential clients and respected clients than a hot air balloon ride, particularly a ride which ends where the balloons lands within the grounds of a conference venue and is summed up with chilled champagne! When launching new products and campaigns hot air ballooning has taken its crowd by storm launching balloons of almost any shape into the sky. The company brand or product can be seen by thousands over a massive area.

In 1991, 6 of the UK’s largest and longest running balloon flight operators created the nationwide flight network which today we know as Balloons Over Britain. However the popularity of hot air ballooning only grew, as did their network; Balloons Over Britain now has 12 member companies who cover pretty much every flyable area in the UK. With locations dotted around London, the Lake District, Scotland, the South West of England, Wales and more, Balloons over Britain are proud of their achievement as the only comprehensive national balloon flight network throughout Britain.

Ballooning itself is a treat for anyone of any age who seeks any kind of thrill. A weather dependant activity it can often be a case of third time lucky, which just adds to the adventure! When the conditions are right, you’ll get that call and before you know it you’ll have helped set up the balloon and will be waiting with anticipation in the basket itself – that’s right – you, in the basket of a hot air balloon, your dream being realised. Imagine the butterflies in your tummy when it dawns on you that you’ve actually started rising, when you realise the basket is no longer on the ground, your airborne!

This could be you with just one phone call, or a couple of clicks. You can book online, read more about Balloons Over Britain and our member companies on our site, call us for a chat, or even book it with us over the phone; it’s simple, just call 0845 071 6388 or visit us at www.balloonsoverbritain.co.uk.

Summers nearly here and it’s time to get those festival welley’s out and camping gear at the ready. Surely there’s no better way to spend your summer than at a Ballooning Festival. To create your 2011 summer to remember, you need to book your ticket online before Wednesday 18^th May – that’s this Wednesday folks for free entry into Tiverton Balloon Festival! If your order is placed after 14:00pm on Wednesday and up to 08:00am on the Friday 20^th, then you can collect your tickets from the on-site Festival Box Office.

Aerosaurus Balloons are giving away free festival entry tickets when purchasing a balloon ride voucher! It is the ultimate opportunity to get the maximum ballooning experience, your own flight and a whole weekend of ballooning fun. The Festival Voucher is valid for 12 months for a flight any day of the week or weekend (including bank holidays), dawn or dusk, at all our South West and Nationwide meeting locations.

We’ll be attending the Tiverton Balloon Festival this month and have flights scheduled at the following times – Friday 20th PM Flight, Saturday 21st AM Flight, Saturday 21st PM Flight, Sunday 22nd AM Flight, Sunday 22nd PM Flight. A staggering 50+ balloons are expected fill the sky on the evening of Friday 20^th and also between 6am and 7pm on Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd. Your free ticket gives you entry to all the festivals delights including evening entertainment on the Friday and Saturday nights in the form of a hot air balloon Night Glow where several balloons will give a choreographed display to music. Throughout the event you will have opportunities to speak with the ballooning crew and pilots, plus on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons there will be Balloon Tethering, where the balloon is tied to the ground.

With catering, bars, picnic areas, trade stands, music and children’s entertainment all onsite, it all makes for the perfect festival experience. Go online to book your ticket before the 18^th May!

If you are a keen balloonist and are happy to brave the winter weather, why not go along to the annual Icicle Balloon Meet?  This wonderful winter gathering takes place every year during the first week of January, falling on the 8th and 9th of January in 2011.   Since 1993, balloonists have been gathering at Warren Farm in Savernake Forest, Wiltshire to fly their balloons across the skies in a bid to win various prizes such as the Veuve Cliquot Cup for the furthest distance travelled plus many others. 

If you would like to participate in the balloon meet, you can pre-book for £15 or make a donation of £20 in cash or kind on the day to cover the cost of the draw and other expenses.  Balloonists will be briefed at 0800 each day at Warren Farm and all balloon owners/operators must declare in writing that they carry third party insurance to comply with the 2005 EU directive. 

If you are travelling to the meet, why not make a long weekend of it?  Elcot Park, which is the base hotel for the Icicle Balloon Meet, is offering a special package for the weekend of £37.50 per person per night, B&B sharing a twin or double room or £48.50 per person per night in a single room for two nights or £95 for a double and £69 for a single for one night. To make your booking, please contact the hotel direct on 0844 8159060 between 8am & 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The history of the Icicle Balloon Meet is facinating.  If you are entering the balloon meet, you could be making Icicle Balloon Meet history too!  Good luck!

This year, the 54th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett Race was held in Bristol, thanks to David Hempleman-Adams and Jon Mason winning the race in 2008.  On the 25th September, twenty gas balloons launched to begin a race that could last days for some lucky pilots.  The team that travels the furthest in their gas balloon, is the winner.  Take a look at the leaderboard to see how well the teams did:

Well done to the Switzerland team!  They travelled a spectacular 2434.31 km, reaching Lake Sinoe, Romania in an astounding 58 hours and 37 minutes.  Next year’s race will be held in France, where the first Gordon Bennett Race was held back in 1906.

These pilots truly are an amazing inspiration to all balloon enthusiasts out there!  If you would like to experience the thrill of a hot air balloon ride, why not take a look at the Balloons Over Britain website where you can find information on locations and flight vouchers plus lots more! 

     This year, the oldest and most prestigious aeronautical race in the world is coming to the UK!  From a site near Bristol on the 25th Spetember, 20 teams from 11 countries around the world will compete in the 54th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett.  The winner of the race is the the team which flies the furthest distance from the start point. 

The first Gordon Bennett race was held in 1906 in Paris and since then, no Briton had won until 2008 when  David Hempleman-Adams and Jon Mason flew 1,767kms in just over 74 hours.  Their success meant that they would have the honour of hosting the race in their own nation. 

Saturday 25th September until Wednesday 29th September will be this year’s launch window.  Once the weather is suitable for an evening launch, participants will inflate their balloons and begin the race of a lifetime.  Everyone has the opportunity to be a part of the Gordon Bennett 2010 by following the race live on-line.  If you would like more information on the race and the history of the Gordon Bennett race, visit their website.

If you have been inspired to fly in a hot air balloon, visit the Balloons over Britain website where you can find information on flight vouchers, locations and lots more.

This year saw Spain take home the FIFA World Cup for the first time in football history.  England have also won the World Cup before.  This occured in 1966 when England was hosting the World Cup.  44 years on and England have not hosted the game since, or repeated their success of 1966.  Well, England want to change that. 

England are hoping to host the World Cup in 2018 / 2022 and this week has been “Back the Bid” week.  On Tuesday 23rd August, to celebrate 100 days to FIFA’s choice of the 2018 World Cup host, a hot air balloon was flown over Buckingham Palace during a FIFA inspection visit.  What an intriguing sight for the Officials to see!  

Hot air balloons are excellent promotional tools and can attract a lot of attention and publicity, just like the World Cup Bid balloon.  If you are interested in hiring a hot air balloon for corporate or promotional events, at Balloons over Britain we have own design specialists who will individually tailor special shape balloons to cater for most designs so contact us now. 

If you have been inspired to take a flight in a hot air balloon, visit our site for information on locations and flight vouchers as well as a wealth of fascinating information on balloon history, interesting facts and figures and much more.

Held later than normal this year the Brass Monkey Hot Air Balloon event organised by the Pennine Region Balloon Association is to be held on the 6th and 7th of February 2010 at Rudding Park in Harrogate Yorkshire. With the really bad weather that the region, along with many others has suffered over this winter, it was a stroke of fortune that the organisers decided to hold the traditional starter to the year slightly later.

The event is always very popular with balloonists, enthusiasts and spectators alike as they see the colourful balloon ascend into the crisp air. Hot air balloons fly easier in really cold weather as the temperature difference between the heated air and the ambient air is much greater than at warmer times. So you can expect a great show and some quick lifts from the hot air balloons present.

 One of the largest balloon festivals in the world kicked off in Warstein, a small town in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, last weekend, which is regarded as Europe’s biggest gathering of hot air balloons. With the usual collection of shapes and colours that are now associated with hot air balloons, around 323 pilots from 13 nations took part in the festival which ran until September 13th.

With hot air balloon events and festivals, the success is dependent on the weather being kind, but meteorologists are forecasting decent hot air ballooning weather for the next couple of days. Hot air balloon flights are planned twice each day during the entire festival week, with teams from Germany, Netherlands, UK, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Thailand, including some of Balloons over Britain operators.