ASHTON COURT BALLOON RIDES
FIND YOUR PERFECT HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER ASHTON COURT ESTATE!
FIND YOUR PERFECT HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER ASHTON COURT ESTATE!
To take flight in a hot air balloon in the skies over Ashton Court Estate 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! And there is a launch site from the Estate itself!
ASHTON COURT: ON THIS PAGE:
ASHTON COURT BALLOON FLIGHTS
ASHTON COURT & LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
BALLOON FLIGHT INFORMATION
Let incomparable views of Bristol open up before you, on a hot air balloon ride from Ashton Court. As home to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, the largest balloon event in Europe, Bristol can definitely lay claim to being the UK’s ballooning capital, if not of the world – and it all happens right here at Ashton Court! As you begin to rise, so the vistas of the house and park expand into view. The 850 acres of parkland and woodland are the first thing to captivate the eye and set the scene for what is yet to come.
To the east lies Bristol itself, and there is no better vantage point than from the basket of a hot air balloon. Keep your eyes peeled for Brunel’s engineering feat of genius – the Clifton Suspension Bridge – that spans a deep, urban gorge. Next to which Bristol Observatory sits in its hilltop position. In the city centre you might spot the imposing gothic Bristol Cathedral or the 15th century St Mary Redcliffe Church. Right next to Ashton Court is the River Avon, and on the opposite bank you can see another of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s critically important creations – the SS Great Britain – the ship which is considered to have changed the world. To the south of Ashton Court lies undulating green hues of the Somerset countryside, and beyond that the sensational backdrop of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Or maybe Bath to the east, will entice your balloon to drift in its direction. With glorious 360 degree views, you can expect the shimmering of the Bristol Channel to ignite the senses and reinforce the incredible sense of calm and freedom, as you hot air balloon over Bristol from Ashton Court.
Ashton Court offers its own attraction to those lucky enough to enjoy a balloon ride here. The mansion itself has now been turned into an Artspace with a focus on art, theatre, performing arts and community activities to be the creative hub for Bristol and North Somerset. Set in 850 acres, the grounds offer the opportunity to walk the woodlands, admire the parkland, and gaze out over the deer who call this 600 year old deer park home. There’s also a miniature railway, two 18 hole pitch and putt golf courses and the Courtyard Café to name just a few of Ashton Court’s attractions.
Ashton Court is just ten minutes from the centre of Bristol, so getting into the city to explore some the unique and intriguing history is easy. If you spotted SS Great Britain from the air, you might be tempted to go and see it up close and climb aboard. Built by Brunel, this highly important ship in maritime history now brings the sights, sounds and even smells of Brunel’s era to life. Continuing on with exploring Brunel’s legacy by visiting the Grade I Listed Clifton Suspension Bridge, which is considered an engineering marvel. It cuts an alluring sight spanning the deep Avon Gorge with the river running far below. In the city centre you’ll find the imposing gothic Bristol Cathedral, Tudor architecture, enticing riverside communities and plenty of arts, crafts and museums – like the M Shed, which brings the history and times of Bristol to life through galleries, displays and working exhibits on the harbourside. With so many things to do in Bristol, making Ashton Court your launch site for a hot air balloon ride over Somerset and Bristol the perfect choice for the flight of your life.
• A luxury gift voucher valid for 12 months
• A 60 minute flight over Ashton Court Estate
• Passenger insurance
• Traditional champagne toast
• Presentation of flight certificate
• Return transport to the launch site
• Magical memories you’ll treasure forever
Your departure point is from the Ashton Court Estate grounds just outside of Bristol. There are also always other sites nearby in Somerset that can be used to get you aloft though if you need them. Always make sure that you check your voucher details and again when you book in, for the latest launch site details, as they can change depending on weather and site suitability. The good news is, that your voucher is valid for all launch locations in the South West and you can leave your car at the launch site as this is where your ballooning experience will also 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 Ashton Court, Bristol and Somerset!
As you drift gently over the Somerset countryside near & above Ashton Court Estate, 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 Somerset.