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By Jade, July 11, 2012 10:17 am

On the calm Monday evening of 9^th July, one of our balloons floated across the sky and took our passengers above the evening celebration of the torch relay in South Park, Oxford.

Two of the lucky passengers on the flight were sisters Jackie and Alison Jordan. After their Mum flew in a hot air balloon a couple of years ago, ballooning was something the pair had always wanted to do. As a birthday gift, their family bought the sisters a balloon flight, perfect to celebrate Jackie’s 50^th and Alison’s 40^th. Oxford was their chosen launch site as they wanted to enjoy beautiful, familiar surroundings. Jackie, who works for the University of Oxford, was particularly excited as the balloon actually travelled over her department meaning she got some excellent shots of the University.

Friends and family below the basket spotted the balloon flying above the torch ceremony and captured some great photos. Alison and Jackie loved their balloon flight experience, telling us

“It was wicked, we loved every moment!” and they have already recommended it to all their friends.

Adding to the British celebrations, the winds swept the balloon North East over Oxford, meaning the passengers also caught a glimpse of some sites where past British records have been set. The first infamous landmark was Iffley Road Track, where Rodger Banister set the record for the first sub-four minute mile. Another spot from the sky was Christchurch meadow where James Sadler launched England’s first ever balloon flight 1784.

Pilot Mark Shemilt said he always enjoys his flights over Oxford as there is so much to see. On this particular flight he told us “There was a great bunch of people and everyone got involved.” He added that there was more even more of a buzz on board as he was constantly in contact with air traffic control because the airspace is particularly busy due to the rehearsals for Farnborough Airshow. Alison was impressed with the serene landing of the balloon on the edge of Bicester, as she expressed,

“The flight was thoroughly enjoyable with amazing views, even the landing which was expertly controlled.”

You too can enjoy a balloon flight over Oxford or any of our other 100+ launch sites for as little as £89pp. Just call us in the office on 0844 844 8080 or visit our website.

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By Jade, July 4, 2012 1:05 pm

This season we’ve added some great new launch sites in Scotland, including Newton St Boswells, Kelso, Peebles, Bowhill Country Estate and most recently, Shieldhill Castle.

Shieldhill Castle sits in the romantic upper Clyde Valley, between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Prior to becoming the four star hotel it is today, the 800-year-old fortress was the seat of the Chancellor family who fled there from France during the time of the Norman Conquests. Recorded as one of the oldest families in the area, the Chancellors remained in the castle for over 750 years.

Placed in the rolling hills of the South Lanarkshire countryside, Shieldhill Castle serves as the perfect starting point for your balloon ride. The chance to fly over Biggar offers many spectacular sights below the balloon such as Dawyck Botanic Gardens, home to a copse of trees, some over 40 metres tall. You may glide over the 10 acre Biggar Park Garden where you’ll see long stretches of herbaceous borders, shrubberies, fruit and vegetables and even the Japanese garden among other eye-catching features.

Although placed in a beautiful rural area, the small market town of Biggar is busy as ever. Depending on the time of year you travel, you may catch one of the many events that take place in the town’s show field such as the agricultural show or the vintage car rally. Other likely spots from the sky are Moat Park Heritage Centre and Lamington Chapel, just two of Biggar’s six museums.

Whichever way the wind takes you, you’ll be sure to have an enchanting journey, viewing the charming Scottish landscape from a unique perspective.

To book your flight from Shieldhall Castle or any of our other launch sites, just visit our website or call our office on 0844 844 8080. If you haven’t already got your ticket, you can buy one from as little as £89pp.

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By Kirsty, June 1, 2012 9:11 pm

Virgin Balloon Flights pilot Chris Oxby has this evening flown the Union Jack flag above the Yorkshire countryside, taking a basket full of happy passengers to the skies from our York Racecourse launch site.

Marking 60 years of the Queen’s reign, the Diamond Jubilee extended weekend got off to a great start for our Yorkshire passengers as they enjoyed their hot air balloon ride with the flag in tow. There was even a marriage proposal in the air above York!

You too can enjoy a Great British Voyage with Virgin Balloon Flights as we’re offering up to 40% off selected flight vouchers from as little as £89pp. Whether it be Yorkshire or any of our other 100+ launch sites in England, Scotland & Wales you’ll be part of an airborne adventure of a lifetime.

Simply call 0844 844 8080 or visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk

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By Kirsty, February 29, 2012 12:41 pm

There’s nothing better than letting Mum know just how much you care and Mother’s Day is the perfect way to celebrate maternal bonds and honour motherhood. For hundreds of years throughout the world, festivals and revelries have taken place to celebrate the influence of mothers in society and give people an excuse to simply spoil their Mum.

Virgin Balloon Flights have a range of gifts for Mother’s Day from less than a fiver and we’re currently offering a whopping 30% off our hot air balloon rides!

So whether you choose luxury Virgin Balloon Flights Champagne truffles at £3.49, a sparkling wine and chocolates hamper reduced from £29.99 to £24.99 or a balloon ride itself from as little as £89 per person, we’ll make sure Mum gets an experience of a lifetime.

Make the gift that little bit extra special this Mother’s Day and present Mum’s luxury hot air balloon ride vouchers in a Balloon in a Box for just £14.99… what more could she want?!

With flights from over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales, Mum’s adventure is never too far from home.

Call us now on 0844 8448080 or visit virginballoonflights.co.uk

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By Kirsty, February 15, 2012 1:26 pm

We know it was Valentine’s Day yesterday but the love here at Virgin Balloon Flights has spilled into today. We want to tell you a hot air balloon love story ….

After meeting his girlfriend on Match.com, 26-year-old romantic Adam Worbey quite rightly thought a hot air balloon ride over the Bedfordshire countryside would be the perfect setting for a surprise proposal to Rachel Grimmer, also 26.

On the 23^rd of April last year their flight was due to take off from Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire, but due to stormy weather forecasts the flight was moved to Shuttleworth Park in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

“We got there at about 5pm, and sat out on the grass in the glorious sunshine on a small picnic blanket. It got to 5:45 when the Virgin Balloon Flights van and balloon basket turned up. Rachel realised that I had possibly led her there under false pretences. Excited, we all helped to inflate the balloon before we all got in, and set off up into the glorious blue sky.”

“The atmosphere in the balloon was something I have never experienced before and it took both of us by surprise because it was so very peaceful up in the air with just the wind directing us where it saw fit. We had amazing views over Bedfordshire, we could see for miles. When we got to around 3500ft, I reached into my camera bag to ‘change the lens on my camera’ but instead pulled out a small box with a ring in it. I then got down on one knee, as much as you can do when confined in the balloon basket and went to propose. It was unfortunate that at that very moment, the pilot needed to put the burners on (they’re LOUD!)…..and so I waited nearly 10 seconds with the ring box open before I could ask her. She of course said yes straight away, followed by much crying and nodding, and then the other passengers in the balloon all congratulated us.”

“We landed just outside Henlow, both buzzing from what had just happened before we phoned our families and enjoyed a Champagne toast to top-off the experience.”

“We were so lucky that on our first attempt to have our balloon flight the weather was not only kind to us, but it was glorious, especially considering we were told by the pilot that ours was the only flight to have gone up in the whole of the south of England. This was due to the pending stormy weather that was experienced over the Easter weekend, with many Met Office weather warnings being issued.”

“We both liked how involved everyone is in everything from unloading the balloon off the trailer and its inflation to its deflation in Henlow. Involving everyone made it more of an experience rather than it being just a ride. The overall experience was brilliant and we would recommend it to anyone who has ever wanted to have a flight, I know my parents want to sign up too following our experience. Hopefully we will be able to repeat the experience on an anniversary or birthday in the future.”

“I would definitely go with Virgin again, as everything was exactly as imagined. The perfect day that couldn’t have been more perfect!”

The happy couple will be tying the knot at St James’ Church, Little Paxton, Cambs, on 4th May 2013. There’ll even be a Virgin Balloon Flights theme!

Fly from one of our 100+ launch sites from as little as £89pp.

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By Kirsty, February 14, 2012 3:17 pm

Ballooning is one of the oldest, most romantic forms of aviation and we here at Virgin Balloon Flights have shared this gorgeous experience with thousands of lovely passengers over the years.

Each flying season we hear about a collection of new ballooning love stories and a number of in-air marriage proposals from our big red balloons. Hot air ballooning is an experience of a lifetime and the perfect way to see the beauty of Britain from a new perspective with that special someone; flowers sometimes just don’t cut it!

Virgin’s new Facebook app ‘Virgin First Valentimes’ recalls your first times with a friend or loved one, and we’ve been getting our staff to reminisce about their first Virgin Balloon Flight as well as sharing their Facebook FirstTimes with their other half.

You too can enjoy a romantic hot air balloon ride from one of our 100+ launch sites in England, Scotland & Wales from as little as £89 per person. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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By Eve, December 13, 2011 5:23 pm

With only one more shopping weekend left before Christmas don’t let your stockings be sad!

For just £89 you can give one of the most unforgettable and unique Christmas presents around – a hot air balloon ride from the largest passenger carrying balloon company in the world! We’ll even throw in a gorgeous box of chocs FREE with our national vouchers!

Watch their face light up when they realise that they’ve been given a Champagne balloon ride experience.

With over 100 launch sites to choose from all over England, Scotland and Wales they’ll be spoilt for choice as to where to start their airborne adventure.

Left it late? Doesn’t matter – you can get our balloon ride vouchers instantly with our Email Vouchers right up until the very last minute.

You can make this amazing gift even more spectacular by adding a bottle of Champers or a Champagne flute too from our gorgeous Gifts.

Save up to 40% on Regional Vouchers – buy from £89

FREE Chocolates with National Vouchers

Gorgeous Gifts from £5

See Christmas Delivery options

See what the experience is like

See our flight locations

Happy Christmas!

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By Kirsty, September 26, 2011 4:35 pm

Virgin Balloon Flights are supporting an up and coming charity youth centre aimed at young adults in memory  of local 21 year old Danny Reynolds.

Sadly Danny lost his life as a passenger in a car accident last November, when the young driver was above the legal alcohol limit. Danny’s mother Di, has since set the wheels in motion to start the Danny Reynolds centre in Stafford that will be aimed at young adults aged 13-25. The centre will include the following facilities:

A free gym facility with a personal trainer to include self-defence classes by a qualified instructor.

A drop in centre – providing advice and signposting for benefits, education, training , voluntary work and housing advice.

Chill out zone – to give young people alternative options to alcohol, pubs, clubs and drugs, anti-social behaviour and links to crime.

Training Days – drugs awareness, alcohol awareness, speed awareness, independent living skills, sexual health awareness and any further accreditation training from external agencies.

A free childcare facility – aimed to provide young parents in this age group with a facility that is free including the socially deprived to enable them to access centre facilities.

Youth church – aimed to be run by young people in this age group to include them in local communities and provide them with pastoral care.

Quiet Room – a safe environment for young people to access after bereavement, which will include free usage for external agencies to use for counselling in all areas including unemployment and financial issues.

On the 28^th October, a Reggae night will be held at The Westway pub in Stafford to start raising funds for the centre; this will be where supporters get the chance to bag a pair of Virgin Balloon Flights which can be used at any of our 100+ launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales.

For further information on how to support this cause please email Di Reynolds on reynol509@aol.com. For information regarding balloon flights visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk .

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By Kirsty, September 6, 2011 11:56 am

The wait is finally over for Lovedbyparents.com fans, as the site announced the winners of their
hugely popular parenting awards.

Virgin Balloon Flights sponsored the ‘Blogger of the Year’ award for 2011 with a spectacular pair of flight vouchers for lucky winner Katy Earley who writes www.modernmummy.co.uk.

Tina Summers Editor of Lovedbyparents said, “We were thrilled that Virgin Balloon Flights agreed to sponsor Blogger Of The Year  2011 and delighted that they provided the prize of a Balloon Flight for winner,  Katy.”

Hundreds of products were entered into each category and thousands of people cast their votes for their favourites. Social media sites were buzzing  with excitement yesterday as the awards were announced throughout the day.

All products were tested by a group of real parents and shortlisted before opening the final decision to the public votes. Winners were provided with a prestigious Gold, Silver or Bronze Lovedbyparents Award badge.

Gold Winners included Maclaren for Best Pushchair, Babybjorn for Best Babysling Leapfrog for the Best Activity Toy and Pampers for Best 
Disposable Nappy.

Special award winners included Wendy Shand of Tots To Travel who scooped the first FabWoman Of the Year Award. An award that was created to celebrate women who have been inspired to create a
business as a direct result of becoming a mother.

”We have been delighted by the response and support of our very first year of parenting awards and would like to thank all of our readers for their enthusiasm and continued support. It is fantastic to see such great products with an award that is genuinely lovedbyparents,” added Tina.