If you are thinking about taking a trip in a hot air balloon, but you aren’t quite sure where you would like to take your ride, you might want to consider starting your journey in Swindon. The town is located in the county of Wiltshire and it is the perfect place to admire from above.
Swindon is home to a number of green spaces and public parks, which include town gardens, Stanton Park, The Lawns and Lydiard Park. Most hot air balloon flights in the area will take off from one of these picturesque sights, soaring into the skies above, allowing passengers to experience a bird’s eye view of the Wiltshire countryside.
Seeing the sights
Once up in the air, hot air balloon passengers will be treated to the spectacular sights of Swindon and beyond. Wiltshire is a rural county that encompasses more than 3,500 square kilometres of land. Hot air balloon passengers in Swindon can expect to see everything from flower-filled meadows, ancient trees and quaint market towns, to ancient chalk hill carvings. Below, you will find just some of the amazing sights you could see when you launch from Swindon:
The Lady on the Hill
One of Swindon’s finest buildings, this 150-year-old church boasts an exquisite spire that towers over the town.
Coate Water Country Park
A Swindon park and nature reserve, Coate Water is home to a huge number of birds, mammals, fish and insect life. Who knows what delightful creatures you will see as you float past the popular destination via a hot air balloon?
Stonehenge
The ancient stone circle, which dates back to prehistoric times, is perhaps the highlight of a hot air balloon ride through Wiltshire. Many of the rides from Swindon will fly over this ancient monument and it will take your breath away as you puzzle over just how it could have been built so long ago.
Silbury Hill
A chalk mound that dates back to prehistoric times, Silbury Hill is said to be the resting place of the legendary King Sil, and also has connections with King Arthur and Merlin. From the vantage point of a hot air balloon, the hill is very difficult to miss.
Wiltshire White Horses
These are truly a sight to be seen. These chalk hill carvings, which are located in the Wiltshire Downs, are hundreds of years old and extremely intriguing, and maps of their locations are available online. There is something magical about flying over these aged carvings, which is so much better than viewing them from the ground.
The New Forest
Lastly, the New Forest is home to the biggest tract of pasture, heath and forest that remains unenclosed. It is home to a diverse amount of wildlife, which includes everything from European nightjars to adders and sika deer. If you are lucky, you will be able to see some of these magnificent creatures, as you fly over the trees and wildflower-filled woodland of the forest.
