A hot air balloon flight from Shaftesbury - one of England’s oldest and highest towns - is the ideal way to enjoy views of idyllic rural Dorset.

Blackmore Vale – a valley which runs from south Somerset into Dorset – and the River Stour basin sweep below the hillside town of Shaftesbury. Balloon rides from here open up the landscape which was so vividly described in the books of Thomas Hardy, who called the fictional version of the town ‘Shaston’.

As well as many fine historical buildings, Shaftesbury has one particularly famous cobbled street. Gold Hill was featured in the famous Hovis bread advert where a boy pushes his loaf-laden bike up the slope to the sound of Dvorak's "New World" Symphony. Should your hot air balloon float this way, why not imagine the brass band playing as you go.

Dorset is fantastic patchwork of fields, farm land and small forests. During your hot air balloon ride from Shaftesbury, you may also spy ancient Wardour Castle, quaint villages like Motcombe, Cherry Orchard and Sturminster Newton and on a clear day maybe even Glastonbury Tor. Towns like Gillingham to the west and Blandford Forum to the south could also come into view.

Come hot air ballooning over Shaftesbury and Dorset with Virgin Balloon Flights and discover Hardy country with the greatest of ease.

Satellites: Blandford Forum, Sherbone, Yeovil