It’s not too late to take advantage of Wickers World’s Wonderful Winter Offer! And now’s the time to do it! Valentine’s Day is looming folks and the cash for most is not yet flowing! So why not take advantage of our fabulous offer whilst treating your loved one to the most spectacular Valentine’s Day gift of their lifetime without breaking the bank! Sound too good to be true? Well worry not, this is a genuine offer, but it’s nearly at its end.

Simply choose your ballooning destination and telephone to place your order. We won’t ask you to pay up now, we simply ask for a deposit and the rest is payable by the 1^st March. This way your January pay packet can go towards paying up your Christmas bills and Valentine’s Day can be paid for after the event.

We only ask you to pay 50% of the order value at the time of purchase, and we won’t ask for a penny more until March 1st 2012! We won’t charge you interest and we won’t put our prices up to compensate, it’s as straightforward as it sounds! We will however only accept telephone orders, but you can pay with your card, cheque or with cash.

Pick from our locations in Staffordshire, Derbyshire & The Peak District, Warwickshire & Gloucestershire, Cheshire & Shropshire and Warwickshire & Herefordshire. As you can see, we book flights in the most beautiful parts of the UK and are Pilot’s will take you over the most Romantic settings, rolling countryside, breathtaking horizons and historic villages. Our pilots have a real passion for ballooning and will tailor your flight to your wishes. If you’re happy, we’re happy!

We fly on every single day of the year that the weather and ground conditions allow! This includes weekdays, weekends, Bank Holidays and so on, however please do not expect us to fly on Christmas Day! We take off about an hour after dawn, and again about two hours before sunset. It’s at these times of day that the conditions are most suitable for ballooning; all you need to do is decide which of those times you’d enjoy the most.

We advise you check our schedule of flights for the next few weeks, which is something that our competitors do not let you see until you’ve bought a voucher. By allowing you access to this, you can see how frequently we fly in the areas of your choice and if we’re likely to be able to offer you a flight on the day of your choice.

We are open from 9am until at least 5pm, Monday to Friday, and even at variable hours at weekends too! So for more information or for bookings simply give us a call – 01889 88 22 22.

Ahh, Valentine’s Day is fast approaching people and with less than three weeks to go, maybe it’s time you pull your socks up and get your special someone the gift they’ll remember for a lifetime. Is this the very special year that you’d like to make the all time most romantic gesture? Maybe you’re looking for the ultimate way to propose to your partner? On the other hand, you could just want to celebrate Valentine’s Day in style and knock the socks off your loved one! It would certainly impress!

As a woman and speaking from personal experience, I have to say that Yes, it does matter how you are proposed to! This day will be talked about for years to come. Your children, your grandchildren and your great grandchildren will be told the story of how daddy/grandpa proposed to mummy/grandma and their eyes will glow with excitement as they hear the story. Let’s face it, what is the first question people ask when you say ‘we’re engaged!’? Its how did he ask (or she!)? Did he get down on one knee? Where were you? Was it romantic? And I can tell you, popping the question over the very mundane board game of Absolute Balderdash is NOT the way! *Sigh*, starting out this way doesn’t lead to Happy Ever Afters either!

No, the way to do it is certainly 3,000 feet in the air in a hot air balloon; it truly doesn’t get more perfect than that! It ticks all the boxes; well thought out, effort in preparation, romantic, big gesture, the ‘wow’ factor, memorable and lavish! Enough to make your special someone feel very treasured indeed!

So would you like to know more about how you can organise a balloon flight for your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Then get in touch with Balloons Over Britain! We have locations all across the UK and are taking bookings now. You can buy vouchers from as little as £89 and offer you the flexibility to book online, or to call us where we will happily take your bookings. Whatever questions you have we’re more than happy to help. Take a look at our FAQ where you will find the answers to our most frequently asked questions, or of course phone for assistance – 0845 071 6388.

Happy Valentine’s!

Broadland Balloons are the UK’s number one hot air balloon flights company who provide passenger balloon flights in Norfolk and Suffolk. This part of Britain offers a serene vision of beauty, peaceful countryside, history and a breathtaking coastline. Gaze over the basket at your 360° view of East Anglia’s 200 km of rivers, National parks, medieval churches and Norwich’s staggering architecture.

As a member of the reputable Balloons Over Britain, Broadland Balloons constantly strive to meet the very high expectations and standards expected of them as a member of the company. With their name very well known in these parts of the UK for meeting customer’s expectations, safety standards and passion for what they do, the only thing left for them to work on is their value for money! This is why at various different times Broadland Balloons have some amazing special offers to tempt their customers! In fact, right now you can buy 2, any day champagne balloon flight gift vouchers on a very special deal indeed!

Buy 1 & get the second one half price! 2 of our Anyday flight vouchers for an unbeatable price!

With this offer, you can fly with us any day of the week from either Norfolk or Suffolk and the voucher is valid for 12 months from any date of your choosing! Each voucher includes;

• A 3-4 hour experience – not just a balloon flight!
• Full Pilot Briefing
• Invitation to assist with the preparation of the balloon
• Approximately 1 hour in the air
• Flight toasted in the traditional manner with a glass of Champagne or fruit juice!
• Personalised commemorative flight certificate signed and presented by the pilot
• Complimentary lift back to the launch site
• Optional in-flight photograph available
• Full insurance
• Just £250‼!
• Price shown is for two people – You will be joined by other passengers on your flight.

You can either book online, or simply call on 01603 495 004.

Today is Blue Monday which is said to be the most depressing day of the year. A concoction of a number of factors such as cold weather conditions, debt (thanks to Christmas), time elapsed since the happy time that is Christmas, the failing of New Year’s resolutions and generally low motivational levels all adds up to create this typically sorrowful day.  So why not break this gloomy cycle and make it the happiest day of the year yet?! Create your own National Hugging Day, we all know a hug releases endorphins which can make us happy, so why not spread the joy? Don’t fancy that, well you would always make sure that each 3^rd Monday of January you treat yourself to a nice big takeaway and a bottle of wine to put a smile on your face, or better still throw a party!

Here at Balloons Over Britain we have an even better idea; how about you book yourself an adventure to look forward to? You could be one click away from Hot Air Ballooning the New Year in; now there’s something to shout about. So when all your friends are confirming that yes indeed, their feeling the ‘blues’, you can show them your ballooning vouchers and exclaim that this has been the best day yet. Cheer up these long dark nights with the comfort of better things to come, with the knowledge that you have an experience of a lifetime to look forward to!

At Balloons Over Britain you can book a flight over a range of different locations from with our member companies, simply select the company who covers the area of your choice!

• Adventure Balloons – Berkshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, South Oxfordshire, London & Surrey.
• Aerosaurus Balloons – Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, South Somerset & Wiltshire
• Airborne Balloon Flights – Kent & Sussex
• Alba Ballooning – Edinburgh, Kinross, Scottish Borders & Northumberland
• Anglian Countryside Balloons – Essex
• Balloon Rides - Yorkshire & Lincolnshire
• Bailey Balloons - Bath, Bristol, North Somerset & South Wales
• The Ballooning Business - Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire & Northamptonshire
• Broadland Balloons - Norfolk & Suffolk
• Wickers World - Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire & Staffordshire

Or you can simply call us on 0845 071 6388 for more information and bookings.

Many people choose to book their summer holiday or summer adventure in January so that they have something to look forward too while they endure the cold harshness that winter brings and the miserable showers that seem so predictable and unforgiving in April. With the knowledge of a wonderful treat come summer time, the gloom of the winter months seems bearable!

This year with budgets stretched and pockets bare, maybe a summer holiday is a little extravagant financially, and besides, don’t you do that every year? High of many people’s ‘Top 10 Things To Do’ list is Hot Air Ballooning; they dream of taking off into the sky in a balloon however statistically, for many this dream isn’t realised. So it’s worth considering whether to go on that same beach holiday or skiing trip which you’ve done so many times before; you know what to expect, it’s certainly not a new experience and can you really afford it? When you have an alternative such as ballooning, an adventure which is guaranteed to be a new experience and a fulfilling ambition, why spend the extra on something you’ve done before?

With Aerosaurus we have the luxury of Britain’s most glorious countryside. With flight locations in Mid and East Devon, South Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, and nationwide via our membership of Balloons Over Britain, you really can have your pick from some stunning scenery! You can feel confident in our wealth of experience; having flown over 60,000 passengers and with 23 years of piloting passenger balloon flights behind us, we are the west countries largest hot air balloon flight operator.  And don’t let age stop you, we’ve flown passengers as young as 7 years old and some as old as 100, so if you have the urge to fly, why not get in touch and find out more!

Large group bookings or small intimate ones, romantic sunset rides or exhilarating sunrise flights, birthday bookings or surprise proposals, whatever it is you want from your flight, we’re eager to please. Why not check out our site at www.ballooning.co.uk where you can view customer testimonials, take a look at our FAQ, read more about what to expect from your flight and even book your adventure! Alternatively call a member of our team on 01404 823 102 where we can answer your queries, send you details and even schedule your flight.

Ballooning first timer? Most of our customers are, so we thought to save you the suspense and answer all those questions on your mind, we’d tell you a little more about what to expect. Many of our customers are ordering balloon flights for Christmas presents at the moment and there are also a great deal thinking ahead and organising their Valentines surprise with plenty of notice to make it perfect; ballooning is known as the most romantic way to fly, after all. So what questions are we being overwhelmed with at the moment.

Firstly, most enquires are with regards to what to expect from their flight. Many are fearful of the takeoff and other of the landing, however there is no need for concern.

When you take off you will notice the ground dropping away, however you will not really notice a sensation of movement or rising. Many have described a feeling of peace and tranquillity once up in the air; this is heightened by the apparent lack of wind.  The balloon moves with the wind and so you will not experience windiness at all when you’re up! You can expect to climb to heights of approximately 3’000 foot; let your mind imagine what the world would look like from heights such as that, and nothing to obstruct your view!

Flights last for about an hour, and yes, you will enjoy a champagne toast, along with a certificate to commemorate your day! What’s more we encourage all of our passengers to help set up the balloon and dismantle it afterwards so that they can get a real feel for ballooning and enjoy a day of it, rather than just the flight.

You can expect your flight to take place either at sunset or sunrise as this is when the weather is at its calmest. Typically flights run from March to October, however some Balloons Over Britain operators will run flights outside of the typical ballooning season. Bear in mind, if the weather is not suitable for flying, then your flight will be cancelled. Simply phone to re-schedule in this case where we will make every possible step to ensure you fly at a date that is convenient for you.

Remember to wear clothing which is appropriate for country walks and the time of year, ideal clothes made of natural fibres. Another advisable item would be a hat or cap to protect your head from the heat of the burners. And please, ladies, you will be clambering through fields and over the balloon basket, so do wear trousers. We recommended sensible walking shoes or boots, preferably ones that are waterproof, as most flights take off from, and land in, a field. Finally bear in mind the limited space in the basket, so try to avoid bringing large rucksacks or bags.

The most common type of query we have is with regards to the safety of hot our ballooning. What we advise is that 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.

For more details, call us on 0845 071 6388.

Do you dream of flying in a hot air balloon, travelling with the gentle winds through the magnificent big blue sky? Being the safest way to fly, you could admire the breathtaking scenery, enjoy the romance of the moment and lock the memory of its peacefulness away for safekeeping, all with the knowledge that you are in safe hands. When ballooning you will experience heights between 1,000 and 5,000 feet, and be treated like a VIP for at least an hour summarised with a lovely glass of champagne!

Have you considered buying a hot air balloon ride as a Christmas or birthday present? At Balloons Over Britain we have a large selection of different locations and member companies who will put the magic into any birthday celebration. One thing’s for sure, a hot air balloon ride would certainly make for a birthday to remember! Why not take a look at the various offers we have at Balloons Over Britain, browse our locations and research your dream flight. Book online or call us for more information – 0845 071 6388.

Interesting facts

• The World Record for altitude in a hot air balloon was set by Vijaypat Singhania on November 26, 2005, reaching 68,986 feet breaking the previous record of 64,997 feet set back in 1988 by Per Lindstrand (born in Sweden, living in the UK) in Plano, Texas.
• The Longest distance hot air balloon flight was piloted by Per Lindstrand & Richard Branson and flew 4,767 miles from Japan to Northern Canada on January 15, 1991 in the Virgin Pacific Flyer balloon.
• The longest duration hot air balloon ride was 50 hours and 38 minutes made by Michio Kanda and Hirosuke Tekezawa of Japan on January 2, 1997.
• The largest manufacturer of hot air balloons is Cameron Balloons of Bristol, England, who also own Lindstrand Balloons of Oswestry, England.

Balloon Rides Ltd are a Balloons Over Britain members company who offer passenger balloon rides in locations around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. To be specific, in Yorkshire we fly from York Racecourse or from the banks of the River Ouse at Naburn Lock and in Lincolnshire we have sites near Grantham, Rutland Water and Stamford, however the site we fly from on the day depends entirely on wind direction.

Wind direction isn’t the only factor which must be taken into consideration on the day; for a successful flight not only must the winds be light, but the forecast should be clear of rain and the visibility good. For this reason we recommend that passengers call us at the time specified in your map pack to confirm if the weather permits us to fly. If the weather is bad, don’t panic; simply call to reschedule your flight as soon as possible at a time that suits you.

Depending on the flying conditions, we fly early morning and early evening when the wind is generally calmer and our flying season is from April to October. The time of your flight will depend on the time of year as it will always be in accordance with sunrise and sunset. Typically in May we meet you at 6am for morning flights and 6pm for evening flights, however in later months you will find that the morning flights will be a little later and the evening flights a little earlier.

Many passengers ask us how far we’ll fly, however as we travel at the same speed as the wind, it’s difficult to give an accurate answer. Having said this, if you consider that the balloon can only safely be flown in winds up to 10 mph, we normally cover approximately 7-10 miles. You will experience views from up to 1000 feet up, but we sometimes climb to 5000 feet (around a mile high) in order to find the right wind speed at which to travel.

We are often asked whether there are any age restrictions in terms of ballooning, but what’s more important is the passenger’s health and agility. All passengers must be medically fit to fly, and as our balloon baskets are about 1.1 metres (42 inches) high, passengers will need to be able to climb into the basket. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult on the flight and must be over 8 years old, and their height must exceed 1.4 metres (4′6″). In the interests of safety and operational requirements we cannot undertake the carriage of passengers whose declared weight exceeds 18 stone (114kg).

If you’d like to book a hot air ballooning date with Balloon Rides Ltd, simply log into our date page on the web site where you can see date availability and follow our quick ordering process, or call our office during weekday office hours on 01757 288 888.

Considering hot air ballooning as a Christmas present for your loved one? Maybe you’ve decided to present your best friend, your partner, your parent or sibling with a magical hot air balloon ride voucher for their Christmas present this year, an original idea with sentiment! The joy of giving a hot air balloon ride as a present is the knowing the great reaction it will receive. Just imagine yourself on the receiving end, opening your gift box to reveal a helium balloon gently raising out of the box with colourful vouchers tied to the ribbon. Can you imagine the pure excitement you would feel knowing that at a date of your choice during the following 12 months, you would be floating 3,000 feet in the air, gracefully drifting over the rolling countryside, panoramic 360 degree views with a glass of champagne? It doesn’t get more blissful, yet more exhilarating than this!

Many people question whether ballooning is suitable for them, or the recipient; this is fairly simple. Our FAQ’s should give you a clear idea of whether hot air ballooning is the right choice. Also, our member facts may help;

• The youngest passenger was just 7 years old.
• 50% of their passengers bought the flight as a 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th Birthday present.
• 17% of their passengers were over 70 years old.
• The oldest passenger was 100 years and 4 days old.
• 22% of the business came from personal recommendation.
• The most frequent passenger has flown with them 12 times!!

So if you’re concerned that you or your intended recipient are too large, small, old, young or immobile, think again; read our FAQ’s, you may be pleasantly surprised! For enquiries, get in touch with us a Balloons Over Britain on 0845 071 6388, or alternatively take a look at our locations, select the appropriate member company and then e-mail them or call them direct.

Maybe it’s about time you saw the world from a different perspective. At Balloons Over Britain we specialise at giving you just that! Since 1991 we have been the UK’s largest and longest established balloon flight operators and have provided a nationwide ballooning network covering areas across Scotland, England and Wales. In fact, we have over 70 different launch site locations across the UK! With over 40 balloons spread out across our member companies, we are able to offer a continuous service right across the season which is normally from March to the end of October. However some companies offer flights over extended periods. With dawn and dusk flights, seven days a week, Balloons Over Britain proudly fly over one-third of all balloon flight passengers across the United Kingdom.

All of our member companies offer a breathtaking experience and each holds Civil Aviation Authority licensing. Our member companies include the following:

Adventure Balloons – Adventure balloons covers areas across Berkshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, South Oxfordshire, London and Surrey and have been operating since 1985! Adventure Balloons even offer a dedicated birthday balloon service which is complemented with its own ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ birthday!

Aerosaurus Balloons – Aerosaurus Balloons offer flights across locations Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, South Somerset and Wiltshire. The company have been operating for 23 years!

Airborne Balloon Flights – Airborne Balloon Flights cover the Kent and Sussex areas and have been in flight for 18 years.

Alba Ballooning – Alba Ballooning covers Edinburgh, Kinross, the Scottish Borders and Northumberland and have been flying since 2000.

Anglian Countryside Balloons – Anglian Countryside Balloons proudly covers the Essex area and began ballooning in the early 1990’s.

Balloon Rides – Balloon Rides fly over the beautiful Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, their founder having over 30 years experience in flying and manufacturing balloons.

Bailey Balloons – Bailey Balloons has locations across Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and South Wales and offer a wealth of experience, untouchable safety record and clear passion for ballooning.

The Ballooning Business – The Ballooning Business has launch sites in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire and began flying in 1989.

Broadland Balloons – Broadland Balloons cover Norfolk and Suffolk and have nearly 20 years experience in passenger ballooning.

Wickers World – Wickers World have sites in Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire and have been a passenger balloons flights company for 22 years!

To book a flight with one of the above balloon flights operators, simply call on 0845 071 6388 or book online.