Thoroughbred, Royal and racing heritage from hot air balloons over Surrey

Home to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this home county is almost tailor made for hot air balloon rides. With numerous attractions appealing to all, it is a delight to explore from the air. From historic palaces to pulsating horse racing courses, a flight across this most magnificent of counties is always a pleasure.

Hampton Court Palace

No flight across Surrey is complete without taking in the majestic Hampton Court Palace. Famously occupied by the Tudor King Henry VIII, the towering structure looks resplendent from above. With wonderfully manicured gardens descending to the meandering Thames, and the world-famous maze winding its mysterious path, you may just be able to work the way out as you fly by too.

Brooklands Museum

Brooklands was the site of the first ever purpose-built motor racing track, and you can still gasp at the banked circuit that motorcycles and motorcars used to roar around. Not used for racing since 1939, it has played an important role in British history in many ways since. Now home to a motor racing and aviation museum, looking down on the world's first supersonic consumer jet, Concorde, is truly magnificent from the air.

Racecourses

Many hot air balloon flights will cross the county's famous horse racing courses. With the thunder of hooves easily discernible from the air as you gently glide over the track, the racecourses are not just a delight to look down upon on race days, however. Even on days when no horses are taking to the tracks of Epsom Downs, Sandown or Kempton Park, their sweeping course set amongst the green landscape is a truly inspiring and evocative sight. From the Surrey Hills to the Thorpe Park attraction, Surrey has much to offer balloonists. When viewed from the air, its quilted fields and sparkling canals and rivers continue to set the scene for a flight of fancy and discovery.