National Hot Air Balloon Ride

A hot air balloon ride is one of the most memorable things you can do in the UK, and this voucher lets you do it from launch sites across England. You choose where and when to fly once you have your voucher, so it makes an easy gift.

You meet the pilot and crew soon after sunrise or a few hours before sunset, when the air is calmest. After a safety briefing, you can watch or help as a large fan fills the balloon with air and the burners heat it until it rises upright. Then you climb into the basket and lift gently off the ground.

You'll spend around an hour in the air, usually at 1,000 to 2,000 feet: high enough for views to the horizon, low enough to see deer in the fields and people waving from their gardens. Because the balloon travels with the wind, there's no breeze in the basket, just quiet between bursts from the burner. No two flights take the same route.

After landing, you can help pack the balloon away before the crew drive you back to the launch site. Many flights end with a traditional celebratory drink, though this varies by operator and voucher type.

Every voucher is for the same flight. The option you choose only changes when you can fly: weekday mornings, weekday mornings or evenings, or any day including weekends. If you'd prefer the basket to yourselves, see our private flights. For more detail, read what happens on a hot air balloon ride.

Start times

• Morning flights meet between about 5am and 8:30am, depending on sunrise.
• Evening flights meet between about 3pm and 7pm, depending on sunset.
• Outside the summer months, some operators fly later in the morning or in the middle of the day.

Flights run 7 days a week through the main ballooning season, March to October. Some areas start in April, and a few fly through the winter when the weather is calm.

When you can fly

You get the same balloon ride whichever voucher you buy. The difference is when you can use it:

• Weekday Morning: morning flights, Monday to Friday
• Weekday Morning or Evening: morning or evening flights, Monday to Friday
• Any Day: morning or evening flights, Monday to Sunday

All bookings are subject to availability. We suggest booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead, and longer for weekends and school holidays.

Balloon flights depend on the weather. If your flight is cancelled for this reason, the operator will rebook you for another date at no extra cost. Vouchers are non-refundable if a flight is cancelled due to bad weather.

Who can fly

• At most launch sites, passengers must be at least 7 years old and 130 to 140cm (4ft 4in to 4ft 6in) tall. A few areas set the minimum age at 8 or 9. Each location page shows its limits.
• Under 16s must fly with an adult aged 18 or over.
• At some launch sites, passengers over 18 stone (115kg) need an extra seat. At others, a supplement may apply over 20 stone (125kg). Please contact us before buying if this applies to anyone in your group.
• You can't fly at any stage of pregnancy, or soon after major surgery. If this happens while your voucher is valid, contact us and we'll help you arrange more time.

Validity

Your voucher is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. You must book and take your flight before the expiry date. If you need longer, you can extend your voucher.

What about insurance?

The operators hold public liability insurance. We also hold contingency liability cover. You will not be liable for accidental damage to equipment, except where damage has been caused as a result of recklessness or wilful negligence.

A cancellation indemnity, subject to terms, is included with every voucher.

How it works

Buy your voucher and we'll email it, with booking information, to you or straight to the person you're treating. When they're ready, they choose a launch site and book a date with the local operator.