SVVG

iTrader: (1)

It's my girlfriend's birthday next month and I'm thinking of getting her (I mean "us" obviously ) a trip in a hot air balloon. Anyone been hot air ballooning before - and if so can you recommend which company to go with (the Virgin one looks pretty safe!.... as it were....) and more importantly - where a good location to do the trip would be? Would be nice to have some pretty countryside, rather than a town or grey city to look at. Would prefer a location in the south (am based in London), but could venture over towards Cheltenham, over the other way towards Cambridge and as far north as Nottingham - any further from London is a bit of a mission for the day!.

Grateful for any advice!!!

davegtt

Virgin take off from Belton Woods in Grantham and there is some brilliant scenery over this way, youd be lifting off directly over belton house which is a nice sight too. Plus you can stay over at a nice hotel whilst your there leaving the bitch in the room whilst you do a few rounds of golf

Brendan Hughes

There's a lot of ballooning over Kent - Paddock Wood etc.

LC Geezer

I went with Global ballooning out of Sheffield Park (Sussex). Champagne Balloon Flights over Sussex with Global Ballooning

Just a bloody brilliant experience. It's so bizarre to be up in the air with no noise whatsoever (apart from the burners occasionaly). You can hear stuff happening on the ground like cows mooing etc from quite a distance up.

Leslie

I am sure you will love it, such a smooth way of transport and the view will be outstanding.

Be ready for a possibly bumpy landing though-all part of the fun!

Les

SVVG

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys! Will check out the recommendations.

bruce

iTrader: (5)

Ive been before and really enjoyed it, but I would advise wearing a hat as standing reasonably close to the burners was quite toasty at times!!

Freelance Badger

Did it one year from Bristol Balloon Festival (blagged myself a free ride in the Durex ballon - don't ask!) Excellent except for the hour waiting to be rescued from the tree we landed in....

SlimJ_2005

Done it once and it was an incredible experience, I thoroughly recommend doing it! I did this just outside Alice Springs, Australia, right in the outback! Great seeing Kangaroos jumping around below you just after the sunrise

Brendan Hughes

"And I've got this picture of the Formula One car, sponsored by Durex - and it's in the pits with a burst tyre!"

Shark

My father is a private balloon pilot and very good friends with the owner of Eastern Balloon Rides

Eastern Balloon Rides, Essex Uk, Champagne Balloon Rides

The owner is a very experenced pilot and I'm sure you'll have a great time.

David

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

PM it to moi? (plz)

Get in a hot air balloon, wicker basket no chance! Not something i'll ever wanna do - good luck to ya. I would consider an air blimp tho.

Branson's enclosed world record attempt one with the capsule, maybe I'd feel happier

Good tip about the hat...

2000TLondon

Lots of sites in and around Bristol.....

I too did one at the Balloon Fiesta there years back, wasn't in a durex, though! It's a strange feeling taking off, and we had a pretty heavy landing but I'd definetly do it again, don't know why I haven't, actually!

Worth trying to do it somewhere where you know the sights, or there are landmarks to see.........

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

I used these people for the missus about 3 years ago...

Hot Air Balloon Flights in Bath, Wales and the West of England - Bailey Balloons

They where spot on and flew out of Bath which was ideal for us at the time. They had no problems with the kids running and jumping all over the basket while they inflated the balloons.

Really nice bunch of people

David Lock

I'm in Sussex, just north of the South Downs, and plenty around here. Must be nice as they swoosh over the villages and Downs and I guess you can see the coastline on a good day. An hour from London down the A3/A23/A24 so handy for you. Or I can offer you gliding if that tickles your fancy PM if you want me to find a local contact. dl

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

I've done it. Great experience. Took over a year before we actually got up there because the weather was never any good on the dates we booked.

No wind as you're moving in the same direction and speed so it is perfectly still. Amazing what you hear when you pass over woods as the foxes don't know you're there. Noisy buggers.

gatty

i went from Estnor castle Ledbury ended up past Ross on wye, take any chance you get to have a go the landing is exciting also gutting because you've had a great time.

Brendan Hughes

Sorry, this was a quote from Jasper Carrott in the early 80s.

SVVG

iTrader: (1)

Guys - Thanks again for really helpful input - Will check out all recommendations. - As ever Scoobynet has lived up to it rep - We even got a mention in there about condoms and bursting....

Thanks again!

richardg

i went up in one of their balloons a couple of years ago. very enjoyable experience. i'm not a big fan of flying. not too worried about heights though. it was very peaceful and something i'd certainly do again at some point. HTH