Hot Air Balloon Rides Over Bristol
Balloon flights from launch sites in and around Bristol, from £169 per person.
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- Price
- From £169 per person
- Flight
- Around 1 hour in the air, 3 to 4 hours in total
- Season
- March to October
- Flights
- Morning and evening
- Who can fly
- Aged 7+ and about 130cm (4ft 4in) tall
- Voucher
- Valid for 12 months
All flights depend on the weather.
Launch sites in Bristol
Bristol (Churchill)
Churchill (Churchill Parish Playing Fields)Bristol
BS40 5EL
About this launch site
Balloon flights around Bristol
Bristol is one of the best-known ballooning cities in the world. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has been held at Ashton Court every August for decades, and on calm summer mornings and evenings you'll often see balloons drifting over the city.
There are five launch sites around the city, so the pilot can choose the best one for the wind on the day:
- Ashton Court: the 850-acre estate on the south-west edge of the city, home of the Fiesta
- Keynsham: the rugby club off the Hicks Gate roundabout on the A4, between Bristol and Bath
- Chew Valley: New Manor Farm Shop on the shore of Chew Valley Lake, near Bishop Sutton
- Langford: Havyatt Green Common on the A38, about 3 miles south of Bristol Airport
- Churchill: the parish playing fields on Ladymead Lane, about a mile from Langford
Baskets in this area carry no more than 8 passengers, so flights feel personal rather than crowded.
What you might see
Balloons go wherever the wind takes them, so the view depends on where you launch and which way it blows.
From Ashton Court, flights can pass over Clifton, the Avon Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, with the harbourside, the SS Great Britain and Cabot Tower below. From Keynsham, a westerly wind often carries you up the Avon valley towards Saltford and Bath. From Chew Valley, Langford and Churchill, you'll see Chew Valley and Blagdon lakes, the Mendip Hills and, on clear days, the Bristol Channel and the hills of South Wales.
You'll spend around an hour in the air. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the whole experience, including the inflation, the landing and the drive back with the ground crew.
Which voucher do you need?
The ride is the same on all three shared-flight vouchers. The only difference is when you can use them: weekday mornings, weekday mornings or evenings, or any day including weekends. If you'd rather have the basket to yourselves, private flights are available around Bristol too.
Ways to fly from Bristol
National Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Hot air balloon ride over stunning UK landscapes
- Nationwide locations
- 3-4 hour total experience (approx hour in the air)
- Available for up to 12-16 people to fly together (subject to availability and location)
From
£169.00
Private Hot Air Balloon Flight - Bristol, Somerset And Bath
- Private hot air balloon flight for 2–4 people
- Choose from Bristol, Bath, Cheddar Gorge or Taunton launch sites
- A magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience
From
£900.00
Private Hot Air Balloon Ride For Two In The South West
- Private hot air balloon experience for two
- Sunrise or sunset lift-offs available
- 1 hour of panoramic views
- Fly from iconic ballooning hubs: Bristol or Bath
How it works
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1. Buy your voucher
We send your voucher and booking information by email, to you or straight to the person you’re treating. It’s valid for 12 months.
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2. Book your date
Book with your operator 6 to 8 weeks ahead, or longer for weekends and bank holidays.
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3. Check the flight line
Ballooning depends on the weather. Call the flight line the night before a morning flight, or on the morning of an evening flight.
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4. Fly
Meet at the launch site around 30 minutes before take-off. If the weather stops your flight, you can rebook for another date.
Bristol balloon ride FAQs
Where do hot air balloons take off from in Bristol?
Where do hot air balloons take off from in Bristol?
From Ashton Court, Keynsham Rugby Club, New Manor Farm Shop at Chew Valley Lake, Havyatt Green Common at Langford, and Churchill parish playing fields. You can ask for a preferred site, but the pilot may move to another site in the area to suit the wind.
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Bristol?
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Bristol?
Shared flights start from £169 per person for a Weekday Morning voucher. Vouchers covering evenings and weekends cost a little more, and private flights are priced per basket.
Will we fly over the Clifton Suspension Bridge?
Will we fly over the Clifton Suspension Bridge?
We can't promise it. Balloons can't be steered, so the route depends on the wind. Flights from Ashton Court have the best chance of passing over Clifton and the Avon Gorge.
How many people are in the basket?
How many people are in the basket?
No more than 8 passengers plus the pilot on shared flights around Bristol.
Can friends and family watch the launch?
Can friends and family watch the launch?
Yes, spectators are welcome at the launch site. We don't recommend following the balloon by road. The ground crew will bring you back to the launch site after the flight.
What time of day do flights take place?
What time of day do flights take place?
Balloon flights take place approximately 1 hour after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset, and so the times vary throughout the year as the days get longer or shorter. In summer it can be as early as 5am and as late as 6:30pm, whilst in winter it’s more like 8am and 3:30pm! Balloons are not flown during the middle of the day because the sun heats the ground creating thermals and unstable flying conditions.
What time of year do you fly?
What time of year do you fly?
This may vary between our operators, but generally the flying season is from the start of March to the end of October.
How long does the flight take?
How long does the flight take?
The flight itself lasts around 1 hour, however please allow 3 to 4 hours for the whole adventure. It is not an experience to be rushed.
What should I wear to go ballooning?
What should I wear to go ballooning?
When going ballooning you should dress for a countryside adventure. We recommend sensible shoes or boots, long trousers and sleeves, and also a hat! This will help to protect your head from the heat of the burner. Please keep in mind that it is no colder in the balloon than on the ground, so you don’t always need your big coats in the summer months!
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
If your flight is cancelled then you can simply rebook for another date! You can do this on your operator’s website or by calling their office. Many passengers fly on their first attempt, and most fly within a few attempts. Remember, ballooning is a weather dependent activity so having cancellations is normal.
How long is my voucher valid for?
How long is my voucher valid for?
Our vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
How far ahead should I book a flight date?
How far ahead should I book a flight date?
We suggest booking 6 to 8 weeks in advance to guarantee a specific date. For more popular dates such as weekends or bank holidays please allow more than 8 weeks.
Is there an age restriction?
Is there an age restriction?
There is a minimum age of 7 years and all passengers must be at least 4ft 6in (140cm) tall. This is to ensure their safety and enjoyment of the flight. Under 16's must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18+.
Is there a weight restriction?
Is there a weight restriction?
Weight supplements apply for those over 20 stone in weight or those over 18 stone and under 6ft tall. Passengers should contact our office to discuss options as we need to ensure that the total weight of passengers on the flight does not exceed the operational limit.
