At Balloons Over Britain booking your long dreamed of balloon flight couldn’t be easier, in fact not only have we made it easy, but we’ve also made every effort to give you all the tools you need to find out everything you need to know about us, our member flights companies and ballooning itself! You will find a great About Us section which presents you with our personal information from our history, our years of experience, our unrivalled safety record to the certificates and awards we have been issued. There you can also find our full list of member companies so that you can see which company will fly you depending on the location you choose. Each company has its own website where you can find out all about them, their own experience, records and certification, along with their list of launch sites and available dates. You will also have the facility to book online on each of their websites should you choose, alternatively they all have clearly displayed telephone numbers for your reference.

At Balloons Over Britain you will be able to update yourself on our most recent news, facts and figures and even buy national or local vouchers which enable you to select your destination at a later date. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3; buy your voucher, choose your location, then simply enjoy the view!

With a fleet of over 40 balloons throughout our member companies, you will find that we have daily scheduled dawn and dusk flights seven days a week! Our main flying season is between March and October, however some of our member companies will even fly later into the year! We recommend you call for further information. Did you know that Balloons Over Britain fly over one-third of all balloon ride passengers in the UK‼

With more than 70 launch sites across the UK, the chances are you’ll find we fly from the spot you desire! We have been established since 1991 and are now the UK’s largest and longest established balloon flight operator providing nationwide flights – our network of companies is appropriately known as Balloons Over Britain. So whether you’re after a flight from Scotland or even a tour around the South West and Wales, you can choose to book direct with a local operator or enjoy the added flexibility of a Balloons Over Britain Nationwide voucher.

For more information visit us at www.balloonsoverbritain.co.uk or call us on 0845 071 6388.

Are you shopping around for the perfect ballooning experience? You’ll be looking at cost, duration of flight, choice of locations, available dates, safety records and pilot experience. Some ballooning companies do not offer up all the information you need to make an informed decision, however here at Wickers World we’re proud to tell you everything there is to know about us. Take a look at our Buyers Guide for help and advice about choosing your hot air balloon ride provider.

1. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, check how often the company flies its balloons in your chosen location! – Many companies advertise many different launch sites; however fail to mention that they rarely, if ever, fly from those sites. In many cases they don’t have anywhere near as many balloons as they have venues to fly from, and the result is that customers get a limited service. Worse still, some companies sell extensive quantities of vouchers yet don’t fly anything like the number of passengers that they book! Sadly, some never get to fly at all.

A tell tale sign would be if you noticed that these companies do not allow you to see their flight schedule, or if they only allow you to see it AFTER you’ve already bought your voucher! With Wickers World you can see what we have booked for the next month or two by clicking on the ‘book date’ button. In fact, Wickers World makes more flights, and carries more passengers, than any other operator in this region. To illustrate, in the last 12 months, our balloons have made hundreds of flights from our venues across Staffordshire, Cheshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire and Herefordshire – just like the year before, and the year before that, and so on.

1. Ask how many balloons the company operates at the same time – If say a company has eighty launch sites to cover, but only a dozen balloons, you may find that it’s difficult to get the flight you want, when you want it! You must make sure that you ask these questions, otherwise the chance are nobody will tell you! On the other hand, here at Wickers World we have flights scheduled every day (except Christmas!) from our areas of Derbyshire, Cheshire/Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire/Herefordshire and Warwickshire/Gloucestershire. Plus last year we were out flying in December and January when many other operators don’t even bother to fly at all! Thanks to our dedication, we fly approximately 6000 passengers every year!
2. Impersonal call centre, or a local family business? – As we’re a family business we’re able to offer that extra personal communication. When calling our offices, you’re as likely to speak to one of the pilots as you are to one of our reservations team! So when you call in looking for information, or local advice, our team are on hand to help and highly experienced and expert at everything we do! We have been doing it for over 21 years after all!
3. You want value for money, don’t you? – If you check our competitors advertised flight durations, you’ll find that most of them are offering flights of about (or ‘approximately’) one hour. Does that mean 40 minutes? 50 minutes? The not knowing leaves us feeling concerned about what we’re actually getting for our money! At Wickers World, our flights are GUARANTEED to be AT LEAST one hour in duration, and are regularly closer to an hour and a half! So if you think about it, how much has that free gift or glass of cheap ‘bubbly’ actually cost you, if you only get 40 minutes in the air?
4. Price Promise – If you find an equivalent flight service for less, from a company based within 50 miles of us, we’ll beat the price by £5! It’s that simple! Just call us on (01889) 88 22 22.

Did you know that Bailey Balloons are not only leaders in the hot air ballooning world, but also specialise in aerial filming! Using a selection of hot air balloons, blimps and micro helicopters, Bailey Balloons are able to capture some of the most gripping footage!

Clive and Jo Bailey thrive on adventure and love a new challenge, so when given the idea of aerial filming, it was clear it would be an area they would be passionate about. What’s more, they now have quite a few experiences they may like to brag about! For example, they recently flew Jamie Oliver for Jamie’s Great Britain (his latest TV series) from Ashton Court in Bristol. Boasting further celebrity passengers such as Ant & Dec for Britain’s Got Talent where they filmed from a helicopter circling a Union Jack Balloon!

The plot thickens as television ad’s star our very own Jo Bailey, like for example the LandRover ad where she flew a one person cloud hopper balloon in Vancouver over the Canadian Rockies under the blanket of the night sky; certainly an experience she won’t be forgetting any time soon!

If there’s ever a balloon company to trust yourself in the hands of, it’s Bailey Balloons. Picking up four awards in 2011, Bailey Balloons are most certainly deserved of their multiple awards; they were even presented with one by HRH Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace!  And if Royalty aren’t convincing enough, how about the BBC? Bailey Balloons even operate the One Show Balloon and have filmed some breathtaking footage across the UK including g the beautiful tulip fields of Norfolk!

It really couldn’t be simpler to enjoy some of Bailey Balloons action yourself. You can call us for more information or for bookings on 01275 375 300, or you can visit us online where you’ll find everything you need to know about us at your finger tips, along with a quick and easy booking facility where you will find flight vouchers for as little as £85 per person. You must have many unanswered questions, so go ahead and find out more!

At Countryside Balloons we have various different launch sites in Essex as we must avoid controlled airspace such as that around Stansted airport. Therefore we have sites in the Chelmsford, Billericay and Brentwood area, Braintree, Colchester and Kelvedon. Thanks to the East coast, we have other natural obstacles too and so we have a variety of launch sites to choose from around the Essex countryside that best suit the flying conditions and wind direction on the day of the flight. Worry not however, we can assure you that these sites are easy to find and have ample free parking. We’ve found that by having a large selection of take off sites throughout Essex we are better able to provide an enjoyable, scenic and safe balloon flight that lasts for a pleasing duration!

We have many balloon flight dates available throughout March with the next available date as early as Saturday March 17^th! However, and more importantly, we have AVAILABLE SPACES for flight this Mothering Sunday March 18^th! It’s not too late to book your mums surprise flight gift; get in touch with us online where you can make bookings and find out all you need to know including dates, specific launch sites and directions, FAQ’s and more. You can of course call us to make your booking on 01621 786777 where are team will be happy to assist.

Did you know that you can even book a flight for Easter! Although you may not be able to participate in any Easter egg hunts from 3,000 feet in the air, it would be a wonderful way to mark the occasion, and certainly an Easter to remember! This Easter Sunday falls on the 8^th April and we have flights spaces available for 17:45pm! For a full list of spaces, take a look at our flight dates online.

Please remember to come dressed for the occasion; and no I don’t mean in Easter bunny suits. You will be thousands of miles in the air, so ladies (and gents?), no skirts please! We highly recommend that you wear sensible trainers or boots, no heels, as you will be walking through dewy grass. We’d also like to recommend that you try to wear natural fibres and also, due to the radiant heat of the burners, we advise you wear cotton caps. Dress for the time of year, you won’t be any colder in the air than you are on the ground, the balloon moves with the wind and so you won’t experience and cold gusts!

Have you ever wondered how the hot air balloon works? Many of our customers obviously want to understand the principles behind its ‘mechanics’ in order to feel safe, prior to their booking a flight, perfectly understandable. So today’s featured blog will be all about what makes up a hot air balloon and what role each part plays. We will explain how the balloon works, including what makes it rise and fall and how the pilot manoeuvre’s the balloon in flight.

If we were to start with the real basics we’d explain how hot air rises and cool air descends, however, this is something we’re each taught as kids, so we won’t go into detail. However based on the knowledge you can understand that, that principle means that hot air entering the balloon itself will enable it to rise and therefore, without cool air the balloon is sure to descend. The balloon (called an envelope) has to be the large size that it is, as it takes this large a volume of heated air to lift it off the ground. To put this into perspective, a great example would be to consider that it would take 65,000 cubic feet of heated air to lift 1000 pounds worth of weight! In order to keep the balloon in the air and rising, hot air needs to be propelled upwards into the envelope using the burner.

A hot air balloon is made up of 3 main parts including:

The Envelope
The actual fabric balloon which holds the air

The Burner
The unit which propels the heat up inside the envelope

The Basket
Where the passengers and pilot stand

A hot air balloon burner uses propane gas in order to heat up the air in the envelope. It is the pilots job to keep firing the burner at regular intervals throughout the flight so that the balloon continues at a stable height. As hot air rises, very little hot air escapes from the hole at the very bottom of the envelope. So to move the balloon upwards the pilot opens up the propane valve which lets the propane flow to the burner which in turn fires the flame up into the envelope.

In order to move the balloon down again, the ‘Parachute Valve’ at the very top of the balloon is used. This valve is simply a circle of fabric cut out of the top of the envelope which is controlled by a long chord that runs down through the middle of the envelope and into the basket. So when the pilot wants to lower the balloon he simply pulls on the chord opening the valve, which then releases hot air, decreasing the inner air temperature. This cooling of cause, allows the balloon to descend. In order to allow the balloon to lower gracefully, the pilot will use the burner less frequently.

The pilot is able manoeuvre the balloon horizontally by changing the vertical position of the balloon! As strange as this sounds, this is due to wind direction at different altitudes. So if the pilot wants to move in a particular direction they simply ascend or descend to the appropriate level and ride with the wind. But of course this is Britain and our weather does as it please, so we are limited to the variation in wind direction on the day which could only be 10 degrees and may not be consistent at all.

If you’d like to speak to a member of our team about your flight, or would like to know more about Balloons Over Britain before booking, please feel free to call us, we’re always happy to answers any questions you may have – 0845 071 6388.

So what’s so great about Balloons Over Britain? We have many questions each day from potential customers asking us about our services and our background; it’s a competitive business and absolutely vital you choose the right company for you. Hot air ballooning is something most people only dream about, so if you’re going to go ahead and book a flight, you may as well make sure it’s going to be the best!

Balloons Over Britain have been the UK’s largest and longest established balloon flight operators since 1991 and have provided commercial balloon flights nationwide since that time. From Scotland to the South West and Wales to the Wash, you will find one of our member companies to cover the location of your choice. You can choose to book direct with a local operator or take advantage of the added flexibility of a Balloons Over Britain Nationwide voucher!

We offer hot air balloon rides from more than 70 launch sites throughout the UK with the following companies;

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

For more information, bookings, help and advice, please call us on 0845 071 6388. Alternatively, you’ll find answers to your questions online and the facilities to make fast bookings and check date availability.

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.