The Showground,
is close to Junction 29 of the A12 and A120.

From London on the A12, exit at J29,
A12/A120 north Colchester.
Immediately on the slip road keep left ,
direction Ardleigh A1232.
At roundabout 2nd exit straight over and immediately
left into Old Ipswich Road (Gnome Magic)
300 meters at T junction turn right,
The Crown Pub is on your right.
500 meters further ahead on your right
is The Ardleigh Showground ,
Boot Fair field and Balloon launch field.

Park in the field on the right
and wait with your car to be met by the Balloon Crew.
If gates are locked the Balloon Crew
will be there shortly before meet time to let you in.

 From Ipswich take A12, J29
at roundabout 1st exit left
and follow directions as above.

 From centre of Colchester
follow Ipswich Road A1232 to A120 roundabout
and follow directions as above.

Flight information: Please call 0871 663 0037.



  Balloon Rides In Hot Air Balloons From Virgin Balloon Flights.
Acceptance Mark
 
 
Book/Cancel your Flight Book/Cancel your Flight Locations Buy Now Locations Buy Now Gallery Gallery Message From Richard Other Virgin Companies About Us Message From Richard Other Virgin Companies About Us Merchandise Merchandise Corporate Partner Corporate Partner
  Balloon Flights Over - Colchester, Ardleigh Showground
 
William The Conqueror chose Colchester as the site for the first, and incidentally, largest royal castle to be built entirely of stone. His reasons are unclear, but perhaps the fact that Colchester is Britain's oldest recorded town had some influence.

When the Roman emperor received the surrender of the British kings here in AD43 it was in-fact known as Camelodunum, hence its association with King Arthur's legendary Camelot.

Our Colchester Virgin Hot Air Balloon launch site, one of four in Essex, is conveniently situated at the Highwoods Sports Centre, allowing good all-round access and ample space for spectators to watch the balloon inflation.

Running from the East side of London, up to the North Sea, and lying to the North of the River Thames, Essex is a county full of surprises and steeped in fascinating hidden history. How many would know that Queen Boadicea made her last stand against the Romans in Epping Forest for example?

From Colchester your flight path might take you over Coggeshall, renowned as a centre for antiques, proudly displaying its many fine timber framed buildings. Perhaps you will gaze down on the bustling market town of Braintree sitting astride one of many Roman roads crossing the county.

One thing is sure as you drift over this overly modest and yet highly relevant county. With the aid of a good history guidebook you will learn much as you cast your mind back a few centuries and picture an altogether different Essex.

Satellites: Braintree, Feering, Earles Colne
Reproduced from Land Ranger® 1:50,000 by permission of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office© Crown Copyright.
All rights reserved. Licence number 100040229.
Blog | Affiliates | Legal Stuff | Virgin.com | Contact us | Useful Resources | Site map | Home