It can be difficult to predict the perfect moment for a glorious hot air ballooning extravaganza, but this year, the Lord Mayor of London’s office appeared to have had luck on their side, as a 45-strong parade of balloons took to the skies as dawn broke over the city on Sunday, June 9.
Each year, the Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta wows Londoners by filling the skies with a plethora of brightly coloured and oddly shaped balloons. Notable additions for this year included a balloon in the shape of a Wellington boot and an owl. For the first time ever, this year’s vessels took off from Battersea Park. Soaring over the Battersea pagoda, along the Thames, over the rooftops of the City, their journeys took them over the historic Greenwich Observatory and iconic O2 arena. Londoners and balloon enthusiasts all over the city were able to delight in the ethereal display.
The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta is a fundraising initiative that is now in its fourth year. The Regatta raises money for important causes. This year, the focus has been on youth and mental health, with charities including The Samaritans and Place2Be receiving considerable donations from the endeavour.
If you want to get a taste of the magic of a balloon flight, we can offer a hot air balloon adventure over several iconic towns and cities, including Bath, Bristol and other parts of the beautiful South West.
