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.

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.

Countryside Balloons – one of the Balloons Over Britain member companies – are Essex and Suffolk’s longest flying balloon operator and have been in operation since the early 90’s. Fully licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority we carry liability insurance for all our passengers. One of the first thoughts of our passengers is, ‘who will be flying me?’ Well here at Countryside Balloons we think it’s important that our passengers understand as much about us and what to expect as possible. Tim Parker is our principle pilot and is one of only a few highly qualified group C chief pilots in Britain! This is Tim’s 16th season with us and in addition to working full time with us; Tim has been involved in safety projects with the Civil Aviation Authority and has consulted with Cameron Balloons, the world’s largest balloon manufacturer, to have manufactured a purpose-built balloon basket to increase space and safety for our passengers!

Since the mid 1990s numerous experience companies have approached us to fly all their hot air ballooning experience passengers for Essex. In fact over 40 experience companies have approached us, as members of the Balloons Over Britain group, and have chosen us due to our unrivalled safety record and wealth of experience!

A balloon flight voucher makes the perfect gift for a birthday, anniversary or any celebration. But what makes Countryside Balloons so special is our dedication to detail. Our vouchers can be given to individuals, couples or even groups, and whether it’s for one person or a big party, we will tailor the day to suit you. The gift voucher arrives in an attractive presentation card and envelope complete with ballooning cap and is valid for 12 months! What’s more, you can make the occasion extra special by attaching your gift voucher to a helium filled foil balloon in a box, which will arrive, bearing your message, in a robust gift box! When your friend or loved one opens the box, out will float the helium balloon carrying the experience voucher and your message. Now there’s a special touch that is sure to go down well!

Remember, your flight can be chosen at the time of purchase or even by the recipient at a later date simply review our scheduled flight dates to book your slot!

The fabulous Broadland Balloons, a Balloons Over Britain member company, have been operating hot air balloon flights over Norwich for twenty years now and have given more than 20,000 people the most magical experience of their lives! Whether dependent, Broadland Balloons offer flights throughout the season from the end of March to the End of October and what’s more, we now offer flights from the Cornwallis Country Hotel at Brome, near Eye in Suffolk. With recent additions of two extra balloons, the baskets of which have been custom designed, our passengers can enjoy complete comfort, safety and choice! In fact, these new balloons even enable passengers to be seated should they choose, which is ideal when landing.

Broadland Balloons are renowned for their friendliness and professionalism and our pilots are the most highly qualified in the country! Fully licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), all of our pilots hold Air Operators Certificate Number BL027. For added assurance, each of our balloons and equipment are annually inspected by our appointed maintenance organisation and are certified for the carriage of passengers, whilst also being the very best available! Comprehensively insured through Lloyds of London, Broadland Balloons can provide full details upon request.

Many of our customers have enjoyed the spontaneity of being on our ‘flexible Fliers’ list, rather than buying a flight voucher in advance. These customers can expect to be contacted by email, telephone or text message when we have last minute availability. Be prepared however to fly at little notice as we could call anywhere between a couple of days before the flight to a couple of hours! 

There is no obligation to accept any offer of a flight and you pay nothing until you accept a place. We will continue to contact you until you fly or tell us you are no longer interested in flying. This system is ideal for those with a flexible schedule, or those who are only visiting the area for a short time.

You can buy your hot air balloon ride securely online from our Broadland Balloons site, what’s more we offer hot air balloon ride dates, Champagne Flight Vouchers and ballooning gifts. We understand the hesitancy some of our customers experience, ballooning can be daunting the first time, so if you’d like more information, just visit the site, take a look at our FAQ page or call us on 01603 495004.

Countryside Balloons are the longest running balloon flight operator in Essex and Suffolk and are members of the very reputable Balloons Over Britain ballooning network. Countryside Balloons offer flights from locations Chelmsford, Braintree, Colchester, Kelvedon, Brentwood and Billericay, so you can pick the spot that is ideal for you.

Have you thought about giving a hot air balloon ride as a gift? Whether your looking to give someone close to you the chance for an exhilarating adventure or more of a romantic drift, either way, hot air ballooning makes the ideal and unique present. Here at Countryside balloons we give the whole package offering not only a hot air balloon flight, but also the opportunity to become involved in the preparation of the balloon before take-off, the chance to learn about how the balloon works and then to sum it all up, we’ll even treat you to a glass or two of Champagne after you land! With a couple of added reassurances such as fully licensed minibus transport to return all our balloon passengers back to the original take-off point and also buyer assurance in the form of approval by the Essex County Council Trading Standards as members of the Buy With Confidence scheme, you can relax in the knowledge that you’re in safe hands. What’s more, if you’d like to offer a balloon flight as a gift, we have a very unique way of presenting your gift to your friend or loved one. Our ‘Balloon in a Box’ gift voucher is attached to a helium filled foil balloon bearing your chosen message. The balloon and voucher will arrive in a robust gift box and will float out to the delight of the unsuspecting recipient. Now that’s pretty smart!

There are a couple of things you should know before you book your flight and which you will need to remember on the day so that you can enjoy your journey without hiccups!

• The radiant heat from the burners can feel quite hot on top of the head, so please bring a cotton cap for protection
• No high heels or skirts
• You can purchase mounted in-flight photographs (size 25cm x 20cm, 10″x8″) after the flight
• Friends and family who are not flying are welcome to stay and watch the flight
• We can be restricted by weather – if there are poor weather conditions, you may need to choose an alternative flight date.
• We recommend that people are fit enough to climb in and out of the balloon basket and are able to stand for about an hour
• You must not fly if you are suffering from osteoporosis (brittle bones) or any serious medical condition or have recently undergone surgery, unless you have a certificate of your fitness to fly from your doctor. You must not fly if you are pregnant or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs