HOLLINGBOURNE BALLOON RIDES
FIND YOUR PERFECT HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER HOLLINGBOURNE!
FIND YOUR PERFECT HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER HOLLINGBOURNE!
To take flight in a hot air balloon in the skies near Hollingbourne we recommend Virgin Balloon’s South East regional vouchers. Covering all launch locations in the South East these luxury gift vouchers include flexible booking options, champagne toasts, return transport and more!
HOLLINGBOURNE: ON THIS PAGE:
HOLLINGBOURNE BALLOON FLIGHTS
HOLLINGBOURNE & LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
BALLOON FLIGHT INFORMATION
Hollingbourne is a little known village and parish just outside of the larger and more historically important town of Maidstone, however there is something very special about this particular launch site. Just a stone’s throw away is the world famous Leeds Castle so as you drift ever upward on your ballooning adventure your first immediate treat is a bird’s eye view of the 900 year old castle and it’s gorgeous surrounds!
If the winds blow just right you might get to see the magnificent maze on the castle grounds, made from 2,400 yew trees and when viewed from above you can see its circular shape, set in a square with part of it’s plan mimicking a queen’s crown. The circular shape within the square is apparently adds to the difficulty in solving it, but once aloft you might just be able to work it out!
As mentioned above quite obviously the number one attraction in the area is the ‘world’s loveliest castle’, Leeds Castle. Not only does it attract the eye with its almost 1,000 yr old design but the castle grounds also offer a lot to behold. Along with the maze, there is a tourist train on site, a golf course, and never forget the gorgeous gardens and surrounding moat.
But the castle is not the only thing to look out for as float across the Kentish skies, after all this is the ‘garden county’, and there will be panoramic views of the county town Maidstone with the River Medway running through its very centre. Also the surrounding countryside offers delightful scenery dotted as it is with orchards, vineyards and quaint oast houses.
Last but not least, your launch location is the Maidstone Mercure Great Danes hotel which has 24 acres of private grounds (which nevertheless is rather dwarfed by its neighbour Leeds Castle’s 500 acres!) and is a great place for your pre or post flight refreshments, with indoor and outdoor dining available.
• A luxury gift voucher valid for 12 months
• A 60 minute flight near Hollingbourne
• 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 the Mecure Maidstone Hotel. There are also other sites nearby in Kent that can be used to get you aloft!
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 Kent!
As you drift gently over the Kent countryside near Hollingbourne, 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 descent 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 Kent.