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.

At Bailey Balloons we value our customer unconditionally. Of course your custom means the world to us; however our interest in you does not dwindle once you have flown. We like to stay in touch and offer wonderful incentives to customers who’d like to come back and fly again! We are always very keen to hear your accounts of the day and so would be delighted if our customers would share their individual experiences of their balloon flights with us. We love to hear about the thoughts and feeling that were provoked by the flight and what you thought of us, the pilot and how you were treated throughout the process. In fact, why don’t you share your photos and memories with us so that we can display them on our website? You may even be able to view other passenger’s photos from the same flight! Simply send them to us at info@baileyballoons.co.uk and we will update the website. For our reference, please also include the date and location of your flight.

Of course there’s no other experience quite like hot air ballooning and so our customers are normally stunned by the excitement of it all! Many of our customers like to come back and fly again in order to take it all in properly‼ Our reputation for individually is second to none and here at Bailey Balloons we take great pride in tailoring each individual day to the person, thanks to this, no two balloon rides are the same! Together with our fantastic choice of locations and varying wind conditions, you certainly won’t be looking at the same landscapes as you did the first time. Experience the magic of ballooning once more with us, and we might just add in a little sweetener of a generous 15% off! Just think, this could make the perfect birthday present, Christmas present, anniversary surprise or even Valentines present! To take advantage of this fantastic opportunity, simply call our booking office on 01275 375300 and one of our friendly team will be more than happy to make your booking and answer any questions you might have.

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.

At The Ballooning Business, you can enjoy a serene experience high in the sky like no other method of transport, with the assurance of our experience. Established since 1989, we are in fact one of the UK’s original balloon rides companies. We have launch sites in Northampton, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Bedford, Huntingdon and Banbury and offer flights in most cases at sunrise and sunset as this is when the weather is normally at its mildest.

You will enjoy your airborne adventure for approximately one hour over the location of your choice, so you know precisely what you are going to see and can have the camera at the ready for your first experience of seeing the stunning sights from a birds-eye view. You will be inspired at how different everything looks from a balloon and feel a sensation almost as if you were walking in the clouds; there’s really nothing quite like it!

Even thought the flight will last an hour, you must allow for approximately 3 hours as on the day in order to enjoy the full experience, you will help set up and dismantle the balloon, plus you will be rewarded with a champagne toast; it’s no wonder ballooning is seen as the most romantic way to fly! Imagine taking your loved one up in a balloon, a memory you will truly treasure forever, and as if it couldn’t get any better, you’ll then enjoy a glass of sparkling too, and in real crystal glassware! You know, many people choose this is as their opportunity to propose…

At the end of the flights you will be presented with a commemorative personalised flight certificate as a token to remember your day by and of course return transport to the launch site. But most importantly of all, you will have forever with you, the most amazing memories, and ones that will last a lifetime!

It doesn’t end their however, here at The Ballooning Business, during the Christmas week we’re offering Thursday morning flights for just £80! Yes, you heard that right – just call 01296 688772 for more information and bookings. But that’s not all…

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER – Buy any voucher now with just a £50 deposit before the 31^st December and you won’t have to pay the balance until the 31^st March 2012! Just our way of saying HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

In the spirit of New Year beginnings, Balloons Over Britain has a new face‼ The Balloons Over Britain website has most certainly had a makeover giving it a more modern feel, a fresher lift and an image which is certainly easier on the eye. Our customers are already happy with how easy it is to navigate this new site, plus it’s new look has installed a further sense of confidence in the companies professionalism. Why not nip across and take a look for yourself, we’d love to know what you think!

Furthermore, in the spirit of Christmas we’ve decided to offer our customers a little flexibility; we certainly won’t be accused of resembling Ebenezer Scrooge! Times are tough and we’re well aware of this. Coming up with the cash in time for Christmas, the gifts, the nice food and the general festivities, is an almost impossible task for most of us. So for our customers feeling the pinch this Christmas, why not take advantage of our wonderful Winter Offer!?

Instead of paying the total amount for your balloons flights vouchers up front, as our way of saying ‘Seasons Greetings!’ we’re offering you the chance to buy your vouchers now paying just £50 as a deposit, leaving the rest payable by 1^st April 2012! Now that’ll take the weight off! This offer is available by phone only – call us on 0845 071 6388 for more information and bookings.

So who’s the lucky recipient, could it be your partner, your friend, your son or daughter, your parent or your grandparent even? Whoever it is you’re treating this year, imagine their faces when they un-wrap their voucher! They’d have no idea you could afford such a wonderful surprise and will be thrilled to say the least, but why not give your gift the maximum ‘wow’ effect?

At Balloons Over Britain we offer a Balloon In a Box service creating the optimum gift for your friend or loved one. Sent by Royal Mail next day delivery, we can send you out a big candy-striped box which holds a helium balloon (available in various styles for you to choose). Attached to the balloon by ribbon they’ll find their ‘golden’ vouchers (please note, they’re not actually golden in colour) with a design of your choice. We even have Merry Christmas vouchers available at the moment. The idea is that when they open the box, out will float the balloon dangling temptingly the wonderful vouchers for the trip of a lifetime!

For more information, help with bookings or to discuss locations and date availability, please call on 0845 071 6388. Alternatively visit the site where you can book online, check dates and visit our member companies covering a wide selection of locations across Britain.

Wanting to book a hot air balloon flight as a Christmas gift? Don’t panic, it’s not too late; Wickers World allow you to book your vouchers online or by phone giving you the choice of delivery via e-mail or post! E-mailed vouchers will be delivered instantly 24 hours a day, so in order to present it as a gift, all you need is a printer (with ink of course). So this means you can order right up to Christmas eve it’s self, or if you’re really sneaky, you may even get away with Christmas morning! However if you’d like your voucher to arrive courtesy of our Royal Mail service, you’ll find your options are still quite impressive; your last postal opportunity is on the 23rd December for Saturday Special or alternatively book by the 20th December for normal 1st Class delivery. Don’t forget, if you’d like your vouchers to be posted on the same day as ordering, book before 3.30pm.

Wickers World has operated an unrivalled service throughout the Midlands and the North West for over 22 years, flying more passengers on more flights than any other operator in the region! So it’s no wonder we’re so popular during this time of year! If you’d like to take a look at the available flight dates and schedule an appropriate or better still a meaningful date, take a look at our Date Availability page. Our competitors decline to show their available dates until AFTER their customers have ordered the tickets! Could this be because they don’t want you to know how rarely they fly in your area?

With flights scheduled from Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire all year round, you can pick a sentimental date to take a trip 3,000 foot in the air over some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. So why not put a huge great big smile on your loved ones face by surprising them with the gift so many only dream of. Still on Britain’s list of top most wanted things to do in life, there’s no doubt the recipient will be overjoyed with their wonderful surprise.

Book online now where you can check out our prices, locations and date availability, plus have a peak at our customer testimonials, or alternatively call to book with one of our team on 01889 882222 – lines open from 9am to 9pm every day until Christmas!

Our very own Clive Bailey is becoming quiet the celebrity! On the 21^st November this year Clive won this year’s prestigious WRBBAC (The Western Region British Balloon and Airship Club) for his services to ballooning and particularly for his dedication to the Metline – balloonist’s weather phone used to determine safe conditions for flying which he’s been doing for 13 years!

Clive Bailey was presented the award by the Chairman of the WRBBAC, Phil Dunnington himself and where better to present the award than in the pub, just perfect to celebrate with a nice glass of bubbly!

The award is famously given out on Montgolfier Day, remembered from back on the 21^st November 1793 for the first piloted balloon flight! The montgolfière-style hot air balloon, globe aérostatique was designed by two brothers, Joseph-Michel Montgolfier and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier who succeeded in launching the first piloted ascent, carrying the now famous Étienne into the sky, becoming the first person to fly in a hot air balloon!

So from all the Balloons Over Britain Team, a big congratulations to Clive Bailey!

But of course the success of this award was not enough to fulfil Clive’s thirst for fame and so he took upon his next adventure, this time to get involved in his own way on BBC One Show. So on December 2^nd this year, Clive sailed across the water in the one and only One Show hot air balloon! He flew from Caldicot in South Wales to Thornbury between the two Severn Bridges and enjoyed serene whether throughout his trip. Another box ticked eh Clive?

If you’d like to make your first magical hot air balloon ride with the ever famous Bailey Balloons then you’ve certainly chosen well. In the best and most capable ballooning hands across the UK, Bailey Balloons can offer you flights from launch from sites in Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and South Wales and fly over some of the most beautiful towns and countryside in the UK! Plus, at the moment you will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a balloon ride when you purchase one of our vouchers!

But don’t take our word for it that Bailey Balloons are the best; take a look at our customer Testimonials page to see what our customers say having experienced one of our flights for themselves!

2011 is approaching its end and despite the obstacles the recession has brought with it from redundancies to frozen salaries, your staff have stuck with you. Your customers and clients have remained loyal to your business despite the fact that you have been unable to offer them the reductions you could last year or the incentives for that matter. It’s been a tough year and those who have stuck by you and your business should be rewarded. Many companies buy presents for their employees at Christmas time, or offer a bonus, where as clients and customers are often taken for posh meals. But have you considered doing it a little differently this year?

The likes of Peugeot, Ford, Unilever, Bovey Castle Ltd, Calibre Recruitment, Morgan Stanley, Bentley, Tresanton Hotel, Express & Echo, Eventscape, Nuffield Hospital and Supercat Ltd decided they would do it a little differently to the rest and have all impressed clients and wowed staff with a corporate hot air balloon ride at Aerosaurus Balloons.

Each business has been impressed by the experience Aerosaurus Balloons has given them and some have pledged to come back again very soon! Aerosaurus Balloons have over 23 years experience of providing champagne hot air balloon flights to individuals and groups and for a range of different occations. Boasting a number of meeting locations throughout the South West such as Cornwall, South Devon, Mid and East Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire; we are sometimes even able to fly from your own location depending on aviation, geographic and physical suitability.

One Customer quoted;

“Arthur, just a quick note to let you know the Breathingspace / Morgan Stanley ballooning evening was a great success (client’s words). A big thank you for sorting & please pass on our thanks to your excellent team, I am sure we will be bringing more clients to you in the future.”

But is it any wonder why corporate ballooning goes down so well when research suggests that Hot Air Balloon Flights consistently fall in the “Top Ten Things” people have always wanted to do? Why not consider entertaining your clients or rewarding your employees with this unique, exciting and memorable gift, plus, if you’re trying to impress prospective customers, there is no doubting the “Wow” factor this would have on any sales campaign!

Here at Aerosaurus Balloons we have multiple balloons which carry various numbers of passengers. We are able to provide exclusive tailored flights, team building experiences and mass balloon launches for up to 100 of your guests at one time and just to make sure your brand name is noticed; you can even have your name on the balloon! Interested? Get in touch on 01404 823 102.

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.