Virgin Balloon Flights UK : Hot Air Balloons Rides & Hot Air Ballooning

Colchester launch site, Essex
Highwoods Sport Centre/ Gilbard School,
Brinkley Lane, Colchester.
Exit the A12 on the A120 towards Harwick.
Take the first exit right on the A1232 towards Colchester.
At the first set of traffic lights, turn right into Severalls Lane.
After about a 1/3 of a mile turn left into Brinley Lane.
The entrance to the Sport Centre/School is at the second mini
roundabout on Brinkley Lane.
Please park in the car park where your pilot and crew will meet you.
In the event of a strong West or North Westerly wind,
we will have to use one of our backup sites,
which will be clearly stated on the flight information line
that you call before your flight.

Flight information: Please call 0871 663 0037.

Balloon Rides In Hot Air Balloons From Virgin Balloon Flights.

Balloon Flights Over - Colchester

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, Prested Hall (Feering - (Chelmsford))