'Photo: English Heritage'

Virgin Balloon Flights have recreated history by flying over one of the UK’s most famous landmarks – Stonehenge – proving we really can fly from anywhere.

Pilot Richard Ashford followed in the footsteps of the pioneers of aerial archaeology by flying a Virgin balloon above the unmistakable stone circle in Wiltshire on Saturday (August 5).

The flight was part of a major English Heritage exhibition marking the centenary of the first aerial photographs of Stonehenge taken by Lieutenant Phillip Henry Sharpe, from the Royal Engineers’ Balloon Section, in 1906.

'Pilot Richard Ashford checks out the stones up close'

Richard, from Petworth, West Sussex, managed three short flights in the 3-man balloon, going up to 200ft, so English Heritage archaeologists could take their own updated aerial shots of the stones.

The 42-year-old, who has been flying balloons for 12 years, said it had been a ‘thrilling’ and ‘unforgettable’ experience.

He said: “It was an unusual and inspirational place to fly - what a backdrop. I really enjoyed filling in my pilot’s log book on Saturday – I just wrote ‘Stonehenge!’.

“It was also really good to see the exhibition and learn about the people who did it 100 years ago. Those guys were pioneers and it was great to follow in their footsteps now.”

Richard, who has flown all over the world and soared across the English Channel twice, said flying over Stonehenge was easily in his top ten flights.

		The Virgin Balloon Flights balloon was also tethered near the stones for the whole weekend so more than 100 other people got to go up and see them from an amazing new perspective. Peter Horne, Head of Aerial Survey and Investigation for English Heritage, praised Richard and the Virgin balloon crew for their efforts during the event. He said: “It has gone extremely well and a lot of visitors have been excited to go up in the air and see the stones from a different angle.”
'Photo: English Heritage'

Although photographs had been taken from the air as early as the 1850s particularly for military reconnaissance, Sharpe’s two photographs were the first known of any British archaeological site.

The pictures demonstrated how even slight earthworks could be picked out from aerial photos and helped realise the potential of using them for archaeological purposes. Nowadays aerial photography has become a vital tool for English Heritage archaeologists, identifying hundreds of new sites every year and helping us to understand and look after our historic landscape.

Peter said to his knowledge, apart from the recent flight by the Royal Engineers Balloon Club as part of the same celebrations, the Virgin balloon was the first to launch by Stonehenge since 1906.

“It has been a great way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of aerial photography at Stonehenge,” he added.

'One of Lt Sharpe's famous images - Photo: English Heritage PA'	'Stonehenge from the air today'

Virgin Balloon Flights fly passengers from more than 100 launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information or to book a flight visit www.virginballoonflights.co. uk or call 0870 444 2768.

The English Heritage exhibition will be at Kelmarsh for the Festival of History
(12 – 13th August) and at Old Sarum, nr Salisbury (21st – 28th August) before travelling to Avebury and other museums. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

For press enquires please call PR & Marketing Account Manager Alex Ferguson on 01952 212760 or email alexf@virginballoonflights.co.uk