Creative, quirky, and perennially on-trend, the city of Bristol is a firm favourite with tourists from the UK and from further afield. Drawn to its reputation for subversive art, independent thinking, and ethical living, visitors to Bristol delight in getting to grips with this free-spirited city. What better way to explore such a dynamic place than from the comfort of a hot air balloon?
Soaring calmly above the limestone ridges, the River Avon, and the harbourside, passengers can take in iconic Bristolian sights including the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Cathedral, and the reclaimed factories and warehouses that mark Bristol’s history as a trading port. Further afield, you might spy the famous Cheddar Gorges to the South, or Stonehenge to the East. A hot air balloon trip over Bristol is a memorable experience for all customers and the panoramic views are sure to take your breath away. Remember to take lots of photos, and why not share them online to impress your friends?
From the age of seven, anyone can take a piloted balloon trip over the city. As such, a hot air balloon adventure makes the perfect gift for a special birthday or wedding anniversary. For the romantics, an intimate guided flight for two makes the perfect place for a wedding proposal, with the beauty of the Somerset countryside as a backdrop.
A hot air balloon flight incorporates approximately one hour of time in the sky. Flights take off either just after sunrise or just before sunset to add to the romantic vibe of the adventure. These times are also when the winds are the calmest, thus ensuring passengers’ maximum comfort in the basket. After landing champagne and/or soft drinks are served by a ground crew to finish the experience in style. For something more elaborate, a picnic or meal can be supplied. Ask your pilot to take a photo of you in the sky so you have a memento to keep forever. Digital photos are stored on a USB stick for you to purchase and take home with you.
For groups, special packages can be organised. You can get involved in preparing the balloon for its flight to give you a taste of what it would be like to be a hot air balloon pilot. After a thorough safety briefing, you and your group can take to the skies like real adventurers. Corporate groups in Bristol enjoy making hot air balloon flights the high point of their away days and team building exercises.
The magic of hot air ballooning over Bristol is that you are never sure what you are going to see. The quality of the light, the clarity of the sky, and the strength of the winds all influence the way that the landscape appears. Even if you have been ballooning in Bristol before, you will not be disappointed by a return trip.
