If you’re looking to explore southern Somerset, then a hot air balloon ride from Taunton - ‘town on the River Tone' - is a fantastic way to do it. In fact, anything else just wouldn’t be cricket.

The town sits in the spectacular Vale of Taunton Deane between the Quantock and Blackdown Hills. It’s skyline is dominated by several impressive churches including that of St James, which towers over the Somerset County Cricket Club’s ground.

Whilst ballooning over Taunton it is possible to see beautiful Vivary Park, home of the annual Taunton Flower Shower, and Taunton Castle, which dates back as far as the Anglo Saxon times of 710.

The Bridgewater and Taunton Canal is a fantastic sight to see on a Taunton Virgin Balloon Flight as colourful barges can be seen wending their way along the waterway. More unusually, military pill-boxes can be seen on the banks of the canal as it was planned to be a Stop Line to halt invading enemies during WWII.

Whichever way the wind takes you, you’ll find some of the most quintessentially English countryside passing below the basket of your hot air balloon. Somerset offers other possible highlights such as Wellington to the west and the 175ft column built to honour the Iron Duke, Arthur Wellesley the Duke of Wellington, himself. To the east, the historic market town of Yeovil, Yeovil Country Park, and the unusual Barwick park follies beckon.

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