SHAFTESBURY BALLOON RIDES
FIND YOUR PERFECT HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER SHAFTESBURY!
FIND YOUR PERFECT HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER SHAFTESBURY!
To take flight in a hot air balloon in the skies near Shaftesbury we recommend Virgin Balloon’s South West regional vouchers. Covering all launch locations across the South West these luxury gift vouchers include flexible booking options, champagne toasts, return transport and more!
SHAFTESBURY: ON THIS PAGE:
SHAFTESBURY BALLOON FLIGHTS
SHAFTESBURY & LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
BALLOON FLIGHT INFORMATION
Where better to take to the skies in a hot air balloon, than from one of England’s highest towns – Shaftesbury. This historic town sits atop Blackmore Vale and the River Stour Basin, which both unfold below you as you drift effortlessly overhead.
With the breeze as you guide, float over a mosaic of patchwork fields, thick woods and snaking laneways that lead to quaint villages and bustling market towns. With so much visual reward to be hard, you’ll find that your ballooning experience gifts you memories that are simply unforgettable.
NOTE: Virgin launch the Shaftesbury balloon ride from the Henstridge Airfield in Henstridge, Somerset.
For Thomas Hardy, the charms of Shaftesbury were too great to be left out of his literary endeavours; but on paper he would change its name to Shaston. Home to one of the country’s most famous streets – Gold Hill – which most of us will know as the steep hill the Hovis boy had to push his bike up. You too can re-walk his steps – the bicycle is optional!
On Gold Hill, you’ll also find the town museum, whilst nearby on Park Walk, you can visit the Shaftesbury Abbey Museum, which tells the story of an important part of Shaftesbury’s life for over 650 years. With so many things to do, be sure to stay a while in this beautiful town and make the most of ballooning on top of Dorset.
• A luxury gift voucher valid for 12 months
• A 60 minute flight from Shaftesbury
• Passenger insurance
• Traditional champagne toast
• Presentation of flight certificate
• Return transport to the launch site
• Magical memories you’ll treasure forever
The main departure point is Henstridge Airfield just outside of Shaftesbury. Always make sure that you check your voucher details and when you book in for your flight for the latest launch site details though, as they can change depending on weather and site suitability. Your voucher is valid for all launch locations in the South West.
You can leave your car at the launch site as this is where your ballooning experience will finish.
Your unforgettable balloon ride will start with a full safety briefing, after which you you can help the team with the the inflating of the balloon if you wish – or kick back, soak up the atmosphere and let others do the hard work. But when it’s time, there is no escaping the collective excitement as the burners fire up and the balloon starts to prepare itself for taking you up, up and away on a ballooning adventure over Shaftesbury!
As you drift gently overShaftesbury the gorgeous Dorset countryside there will be ample opportunity to take photographs from this unique vantage point. During your flight you are free to discuss how the balloon works with the pilot, who will also be pointing out the many points of interest that drift below you or rest gently on the horizon.
No two flights are the same, and as such any number of towns, villages and important landmarks could come into view – all of which create talking points for years to come.
After an unforgettable hour ballooning your pilot will begin your decent towards a gentle landing. Once back on the ground, and should you wish, you can help in packing away the envelope (that’s the official name for the fabric canopy).
With the balloon all packed away, you will be transferred back to your launch site where you can sip on the fine stuff and raise a toast to an unforgettable adventure hot air ballooning over Dorset.