TAUNTON BALLOON RIDES
FIND YOUR PERFECT HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER TAUNTON!
TAUNTON BALLOON VOUCHERS
To take flight in a hot air balloon in the skies near Taunton 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!
Weekday AM
£169
£169
- Choice of locations
- Weekday mornings
- Valid for 18 months
Weekday Any
£189
£189
- Choice of locations
- Weekdays AM or PM
- Valid for 18 months
7 DAY ANY
£209
£209
- Choice of locations
- Any day AM or PM
- Valid for 18 months
TAUNTON: ON THIS PAGE:
TAUNTON BALLOON FLIGHTS
TAUNTON & LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
BALLOON FLIGHT INFORMATION
Take a hot air balloon ride over Taunton and let the best of Somerset unfold before you. With seemingly boundless countryside to frame your views, let the serenity of the experience captivate and invigorate you. Depending on the whim of the wind, any number of sights may float into view. If you head north of Taunton, be on the look out for Hestercombe House and Gardens. Representing three centuries of garden design, these 50 acres of formal terraces, temples, lakes, cascades and woodland are stunning on the ground and even more impressive from the air. Running between Taunton and Bridgewater is a canal of the same name; let your eyes trace its meandering path and admire the colourful barges that navigate this seven lock, 14.5 mile waterway. See if you can spot the military pillboxes on the banks of the canal, which date back to the Second World War, and formed part of a plan to act as a ‘Stop Line’ to halt any invading attackers.
If you drift directly over Taunton, you’ll probably see St James’ Church with its intimidating tower. Dating from the early 14th century, it now occupies a position that itself was home to an even earlier church that was located on the same site as far back as the 10th century. On the south side of the town lies Vivary Park; a lovely 7.5 hectare parkland space that is home to the Taunton Flower Show. If you follow the weave of the River Tone through the town centre, you’ll be able to spot Taunton Castle. The castle can trace its roots right ack top Anglo Saxon times, but it was just a little later – in the 12th century – that the current castle started to take shape. It now houses the Museum of Somerset, which is not altogether a new idea, as indeed there has been a museum calling the castle home for well over 100 years. With so much natural and historical splendour to feast upon, a hot air balloon ride over Taunton is a real treat for the senses and will create memories that last a lifetime.
THINGS TO DO IN TAUNTON
As the county town of Somerset, there is a wide variety of things to do to make you consider making a full day, or weekend of your balloon flight here. First stop should be the Museum of Somerset, which you might have seen from above as you drifted over its home in the castle. Home to galleries, exhibitions, the Somerset Military Museum and of course the castle itself, it’s definitely worth taking some time to visit. If nostalgia is something you love, the why not compliment your ballooning adventure with another form of old-world travel and visit the West Somerset Railway. This 20 mile heritage line is home to a number of steam engines that you can admire and ride along the winding rails through the countryside.
Just north of Taunton sits Hestercombe House with its gorgeous gardens and parkland surrounds. Stroll by the lakes, meander through the woodlands or amble along the terraces, or listen to the cascading water – it’s the perfect relaxing accompaniment to the serenity of ballooning overhead. Back in the town centre you’ll find a wide variety of shops and eateries. Head to Bath Place, a pedestrianised shopping street where you can find a great range of cafes and gift shops, most independently owned, that now make this one of the must visit parts of Taunton. No matter how you spend your time here, you’ll enjoy the inescapable charm of Somerset.
Ballooning Voucher
YOUR TAUNTON BALLOONING VOUCHER
• A luxury gift voucher valid for 12 months
• A 60 minute flight over Somerset
• Passenger insurance
• Traditional champagne toast
• Presentation of flight certificate
• Return transport to the launch site
• Magical memories you’ll treasure forever
BUY & FLY!
MAKE YOUR TAUNTON HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE DREAMS COME TRUE!
Weekday AM
£169
£169
- Choice of locations
- Weekday mornings
- Valid for 18 months
Weekday Any
£189
£189
- Choice of locations
- Weekdays AM or PM
- Valid for 18 months
7 DAY ANY
£209
£209
- Choice of locations
- Any day AM or PM
- Valid for 18 months
Launch Site
YOUR TAUNTON BALLOONING LAUNCH SITE
The main departure point is from the fields of Prockters Farm just north of Taunton. 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 Taunton, Somerset and the South West!
The Flight
DURING YOUR TAUNTON BALLOON RIDE
As you drift gently over the Somerset countryside near Taunton, 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.
Landing
YOUR TAUNTON BALLOON LANDING
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.
