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By Alex, June 28, 2012 12:05 pm

The UK is a beautiful country. We have some of the most iconic cities- there is no denying London’s status as one of the world’s most spectacular places to live or visit, but our countryside is also stunning. There is something for everyone from ancient woodlands to soaring mountain peaks, waterfalls to meadows to white sandy beaches. Of course, we might not always have the best weather on the globe, but that’s what makes the British countryside so beautifully lush and green.

The very best thing about the British countryside is that often it’s not far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The Peak District is just on the fringes of Derby and Manchester. It’s just a short drive from industrial Manchester to the craggy peaks of North Wales. Even those who live in central London can escape to the New Forest for a Saturday picnic if they know where to go.

Hidden treasures

There are hidden rural treasures and even patches of real wilderness dotted all over the country. The trick is getting out and finding these hidden gems. You could buy a map and investigate the landscape around your city bit by bit, but there is a much better way- balloon flights are the best, simplest, and without doubt the most spectacular answer.

In a hot air balloon the landscape unfolds underneath you. Instead of seeing all the pieces separately, the viewers in a balloon can see it as it really is, tracing the course of streams and seeing the woods and fields from above. Go high enough and you could even see the nearest city nestled into a green blanket of grass and trees. You might really be able to see your house from up there.

No matter where you are in the UK, we’ll almost certainly be able to arrange a balloon ride near you. There is rarely any need to travel for hundreds of miles. Whilst there are some truly outstanding areas of natural beauty within our national boundaries we also believe that there are few places where a balloon won’t show you something really special. Every piece of the UK has hidden treasures to show off.

Finding your personal patch of green

Hot air balloon rides in Bristol will let locals get a new perspective on the rolling hills of Somerset, on the broad expanse of the Severn, and even on the Welsh landscape over on the other side of the Channel. By the same token a balloon ride near any town can reveal new views, new landscapes, and a new kind of beauty. There is always something interesting to lookout for.

It doesn’t matter if you’re just visiting an area, whether you’ve moved in from somewhere else, or if the balloon lifts off from just outside the town you were born in. It’s impossible to say what new sites flying experiences might show and what new revelations they might bring. The only way to find out is to get up there in the balloon and see the landscape from a whole new angle.

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By Jade, June 28, 2012 11:10 am

The Virgin brand is synonymous for its music. One of Sir Richard Branson’s first ventures was the opening of a record store on Oxford Street in London. From this grew Virgin Records, V2 Music, Virgin Megastore, Virgin Radio International, Virgin Media and of course, Virgin Festivals. Here at Virgin Balloon Flights we’re trying to keep up this tradition so we’ve updated our hold music with the best ballooning songs to take you up, up and away. Here are a few of our favourites…

If you’ve got any ideas for other songs we could use for our hold music, facebook us or tweet us with the name of the artist and the song title!

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By Jade, June 26, 2012 5:13 pm

Our lovely passengers have created some great videos to share their balloon flight experience. So pop-pickers, here’s the 10 we enjoyed the most…

 

3. ‘RVP Bath – 01-04-12 PM Balloon Flights’ April 2012.

 
4. ‘Morag and Darryl’s Balloon Flight – July 16th 2009’ July 2009

If you have any videos from your ballooning experience, share them with us on our facebook or twitter page. If you haven’t yet taken to the skies with us, buy a voucher on our website and you can fly for as low as £89pp.

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By Jade, June 26, 2012 1:27 pm

This season, as well as welcoming pilot Peter Philpot aboard to fly our balloon rides over Cumbria, we’ve also added a fantastic new launch site at Carlisle Racecourse. 

Placed on the path of Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle sits on the border of Scotland and the Lake District. The county town holds many tales surrounding the famous Carlisle Castle and Carlisle Cathedral.  Whilst maintaining its historical feel, Carlisle has grown to be a very vibrant, cultured city. Taking off directly from Carlisle Racecourse, this launch site provides the perfect starting point for your balloon flight over Cumbria.

Carlisle provides plenty of interesting sights to witness below the basket. You may enjoy a unique perspective of the beautiful gardens of Bitts Park, containing colourful flower beds, green lawns and a statue of Queen Victoria. Or you could possibly float over Talkin Tarn Country Park, giving you a complete view of the 65-acre lake where you may see visitors sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and even pike fishing.

A likely spot from the sky is Carlisle Castle which sits on the border of England and Scotland.  Built during the reign of William II of England, it has survived many attacks over its 900 years of history. Just two minutes away from the castle, your balloon may drift over the Carlisle Cathedral which was constructed with fine carved wood and stonework, with delicate stained glass added to it between the 14^th and 20^thc.

You can experience hot air ballooning from Carlisle or any of our other launch sites with Virgin Balloon Flights from as little as £89pp, simply call our office on 0844 844 8080 or visit our website.

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By Jade, June 21, 2012 6:02 pm

Our 2012 flying season is well under way and despite the Great British weather, we’re off to a great start. Not only have we added some beautiful new launch sites but we’ve gained 4 fantastic new Virgin Balloon Flights pilots.

The first of our new additions is experienced pilot Bart D’hooge. Bart began his journey of balloon piloting in his home country of Belgium in 1992. Since then he has worked in France, New Zealand and most recently in Holland where he flew the biggest passenger rides balloon in the world – carrying 32 passengers in total! We are now lucky enough to have him join us in southern Scotland, covering several of our scenic launch sites. When we asked Bart what his favourite memory of ballooning was he simply replied “I have been fortunate to work in a lot of special places over the years, which makes it really hard to choose a single flight. However I can still remember my first solo flight in a balloon, I really had a sense of freedom I had never experienced before.”

Our next new pilot is the lovely Chris Oxby who has taken reign over some of our launch sites in Yorkshire and the North East. Chris almost bought his first balloon in 1990, after designing the balloon – colours and artwork included – he suddenly remembered that he had never flown one before! So to confirm his instincts, he booked a balloon flight to see if he actually liked flying, of course he absolutely loved it and went on to achieve his commercial rating in 1993. Over the years, along with his wife Linda, Chris has experienced an array of balloon rides from inside the Arctic Circle to the Middle East and not to forget the journey across the English Channel not once but twice!

No stranger to us here at Virgin Balloon Flights, is our third new pilot is Peter Philpot who began his airborne career with us as a crew member and has gone on to become an experienced pilot,  flying our passengers over the Lake District. Initially flying balloons in Australia in 1999, Peter worked on a huge promotional frog balloon and since his ballooning adventures have taken him all over Europe and he even spent a winter in Burma flying over an area of 2000 Buddhist temples. Here’s what Peter had to say about his job “I have flown all over the Midlands in the UK and love flying in the gorgeous Lake District. I love everything about my job. I’m a real enthusiast about ballooning and love the fact that every flight is different and we get to see the best times of the day from the best places. I love it when people shake my hand after a flight and tell me what a great time they had – it’s a real buzz.”

Last but by no means least, meet Russell Collins who achieved his lifetime ambition to become a balloon pilot in 2003. Since then he has taken to the skies from many countries including New Zealand, Thailand, India, Italy, Austria, the Swiss Alps and is now flying over the beautiful Warwickshire and Gloucestershire countryside in the UK. Russell enthusiastically told us why he simply loves ballooning “Balloon flying privileges you to see the beautiful countryside up-close and at a pace where you have time to enjoy it and take in the detail from above. The job satisfaction gained from witnessing someone’s balloon experience and seeing them beaming after their flight is hard to beat.”

To see beautiful Britain in all its glory and experience the magic of ballooning with any of our Virgin Balloon Flight pilots, simply call 0844 8448080 or visit our website.

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By Alex, June 20, 2012 11:45 am

Hot air balloons have got to be one of the most romantic things in the world. As far as romance goes, they beat the Gondolas of Venice hands down. Elephant rides in India or the Orient Express? No chance. Floating gently through the air with beautiful views to all sides, drifting as the winds (and the steady guiding hand of an experienced balloon pilot) take you… The atmosphere is perfect.

Best of all, a couple can share this experience and all its wonder as a precious and personal memory. No two ballooning experiences are exactly alike and it’s not like being crammed onto a busy tour boat or bus with dozens of other people. A balloon basket is a naturally intimate place.

The perfect proposal

If you’re looking for a really special moment to pop the biggest of all questions, hot air balloon rides for couples are the perfect answer. You don’t need to do much preparation. All you need to bring is the ring- just don’t drop it over the basket edge- and the one you love. The balloon trip itself can stay a surprise until the last minute and you can choose the best possible moment to get down on one knee.

Everything else will be taken care of. You’ll have a ready-made romantic atmosphere, a little dash of adrenaline flowing, and some of the best views anyone could hope for. What better way to show someone that you’d give them the whole world if you could?

Of course, proposing in a balloon also makes a great story. The first question any new bride gets asked- and it will be asked a lot- is how the proposal happened. Telling friends and family that you pulled out a beautiful ring in a hot air balloon would be great fun for everyone!

Anniversaries and birthdays

Forget buying a new shirt for him or a bunch of flowers for her. Compare the usual anniversary gift with hot air balloon rides over the Lake District and they just don’t measure up. There is something in it for the gift buyer too- both parties get to enjoy the trip.

A ballooning experience is one gift that won’t soon be forgotten. The only danger is that it’ll be hard to top next year, and you can worry about that next year. For this anniversary, relax and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.

Valentine’s Day

It might seem a little early to start talking about Valentine’s Day, but making sure that you have a unique, memorable and romantic plan for this special day is still essential. If on 14th February you would like to present your partner with a particularly special gift, a voucher for a romantic balloon ride offers a truly unique opportunity that will undoubtedly provide you both with unforgettable memories you’ll cherish for years to come.

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By Jade, June 19, 2012 2:24 pm

One of our new customer service representatives, Shaun, recently took to the skies above Shropshire for the first time aboard one of our lovely balloons. Here’s what he had to say about his Virgin Balloon Flights experience…

“When starting with Virgin Balloon Flights in March 2012 I was excited by the prospect that I may be able to take balloon flight. I am the kind of person who loves to experience new and unique things, and for me the opportunity of taking a balloon flight is a once in a lifetime chance.

I booked onto a Telford flight with Pilot Lindsay Muir and as I have a fear of heights, I did a little research on the pilot and found I was in more than capable hands as Lindsay is one of the UK leading female balloon pilots. The night before my flight I couldn’t wait for 11pm to come round so I could call the flight line. The message from the pilot had said the flight WAS going ahead! Even though I knew EXACTLY where it was I still used my Sat Nav to get me there… there was no way I was going to miss this flight!!!

I was impressed with the launch site as we were on the actual golf course surrounded by beautiful large oak trees. I genuinely could not have imagined how big the balloon was going to be! I took photo after photo trying to demonstrate how big the balloon was, the tall, solid oak trees looked tiny in comparison!

During take-off, Lindsay was very good and precise with her instruction. She made us feel at ease and we felt very secure in her capable hands.  As we launched, I was snapping away with my camera as we floated into the air. We were seeing some wonderful sights, everyone was smiling and happy.

We flew over some fantastic sights; I live in Telford and was genuinely ignorant to its beauty. We flew over the River Severn and caught some wonderful views of the Telford Ironbridge. After we had been flying for around 20 minutes, I had lost track of where we were but Lindsay was on hand with her map to tell us what to look out for; the whole flight lasted around 1 hour 20 minutes.

Once we landed, we were rewarded with a refreshing goblet of champagne. I had previously thought I would turn the champagne down at the end of my experience but as everyone else had some it would have been rude not to! Everyone regaled to one another about how the balloon flight had exceeded their expectations.

Ballooning is something I would do again and again! I think for my next booking I would try the Shrewsbury launch site, though to be honest I would fly from any launch site as I know all of our 100+  locations are brilliant.

Thank you very much Virgin Balloon Flights!”

By Shaun Howells

You too can experience hot air ballooning from Telford or any of our other launch sites with Virgin Balloon Flights from as little as £89pp, simply call our office on 0844 844 8080 or visit our website virginballoonflights.co.uk

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By Alex, June 15, 2012 11:00 am

Hot air ballooning has always been an attractive pastime for thrill seekers. Little can beat the rush of drifting freely on the wind in a balloon. But, as well as being a great thrill, riding in hot air balloons can provide an entirely new way to experience our beautiful country. Seeing some of Britain’s most iconic and beautiful landmarks from the skies can be an unforgettable experience. Virgin Balloon Flights take off from over 100 sites around the UK, so there will be a chance to get involved with this wonderful pastime somewhere near you.

Hot air ballooning is an extremely traditional way to travel. They cannot be steered or directed; they merely drift in the direction of the breeze. What you see on your flight will be a surprise to everyone on board. When taking off from one of Virgin Balloon Flight’s sites, here are some of the sights you could experience:

Scotland
Virgin Balloon Flights have a number of take-off sites in Scotland, all of which will give you a chance to experience the unmatchable Scottish landscape. You could choose to take off from beautiful Glamis Castle near Dundee, home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. The castle is a category A listed building, and is known for its beautiful gardens. From above, you could see this stunning estate in all its glory.

In Scotland, you could also take off from Castle Fraser near Aberdeen, the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland. From the air, you could experience beautiful views of the castle’s grounds, which consists of over 300 acres of landscaped gardens, woodland and farmland.

England
Wherever you live in England, there is a Virgin Balloon Flights take-off site near you. If you live in the south, you could opt for balloon flights from Essex. You could take-off from the beautiful Prested Hall. A popular wedding venue, Prested Hall is a grade II listed building set in its own 80-acre park and woodland estate. It’s also a popular nature-watching location. On your balloon flight, you could experience the area’s wildlife in an entirely unique way.

If you live in the north, why not take off from Temple Newsam near Leeds? One of England’s greatest historic estates, the Temple Newsam estate boasts over 1500 acres of grounds, landscaped by the renowned Capability Brown in the 18th Century. If you take your flight in the warmer months, you could experience the beautiful colours from the garden’s collection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

Wales
Wales has some of the world’s most majestic countryside, and what better way to experience it than from the skies? Taking off from Raglan Castle in South Wales, you could take in its beautiful medieval architecture, along with the surrounding parkland, water gardens and terraces. Depending on the direction of the wind, you could drift over the nearby market town of Monmouth of see the 13th Century bridge over the River Monmow.

Wherever you choose to take your hot air balloon flight from, you will be sure to have an unforgettable experience and take in some unbelievable views.

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By Alex, June 12, 2012 11:30 am

In today’s hectic world, spending quality time with your loved one can become a luxury. So, when you do have time to yourselves, you should make the most of it! Rather than spending another Friday night at the local restaurant or cinema, consider giving your loved one the experience of a lifetime. A romantic hot air balloon ride could literally take your relationship to new heights.

The Experience

On a romantic hot air balloon ride, you and your loved one can experience some of Britain’s most beautiful sights in an entirely new way. You and your partner can enjoy and gentle float into the sky where you can let all your troubles drift away. Your balloon will then float gently on the breeze, allowing you to experience the majesty of the British countryside in one of the world’s oldest forms of air transportation. This uniquely old-fashioned experience will give you precious memories for years to come.

When you fly on an aeroplane, the only objective is to reach the destination as quickly as possible. On hot air balloon flights, you can forget about speed and focus on the experience. With just the wind as its navigator, a balloon ride will give you the chance to take in stunningly romantic panoramas while spending quality time with your loved one.

Virgin Balloon Flights

The team at Virgin Balloon Flights can help to create an unforgettably romantic experience for you and your partner. Taking off from one of over a hundred conveniently located launch sites, you and your loved one will be treated to a ballooning experience of between 3 and 4 hours. On arrival you and your partner will be greeted and given a briefing by your pilot. If you choose to, you can make the most of this unique experience by helping with the balloon’s inflation. You will then experience a flight of around an hour in one of Virgin’s iconic hot air balloons, travelling in whatever direction the wind takes you. On landing, you can help with the deflation of the balloon, and finally toast your remarkable journey with a glass of champagne. You will then be transported back to your original launch site.

Hot air balloon rides for couples are incredibly romantic, and Virgin Balloon Flights offers a range of extras to create an experience you and your partner will never forget. You could both enjoy a bottle of champagne or prosecco from beautiful crystal champagne glasses, or share an indulgent box of milk chocolate champagne truffles. However you choose to personalise your ballooning experience, you and your partner are sure to have an experience that will stay with both of you forever.

Is Ballooning Safe?

Hot air ballooning is one of the oldest forms of air transportation in the world, and one of the safest ways to fly. They only move as fast as the wind blows them. Hot air balloons also have a very simple design. There are no moving parts so there is very little to go wrong. During a Virgin Balloon Flight, the balloon is controlled by an experienced pilot, so you and your loved one can relax and enjoy your journey.