A hot air balloon flight in Leicestershire is the best of both worlds, offering fantastic countryside views with a twist that all petrol-heads will love.

Mallory Park is one Britain’s most famous racetracks and has hosted top motorsport since the 1950s. Everything from British Superbikes to classic sports cars have flown around the circuit ay Kirkby Mallory near Leicester. Hot air balloon rides offer a slightly more tranquil way of seeing the place.

Known as ‘the little circuit with the big view’, this is truer than ever as you rise slowly for a unique perspective of the winding track and its central lake from the basket of your hot air balloon. Leicestershire’s patch-work landscape will then stretch away from you in all directions.

Wind-willing, a flight to the east could bring the city of Leicester into view. Look out for Grand Union Canal, the War Memorial Arch in Victoria Park and the city’s football and rugby stadiums. Ballooning over Leicester could give you a bird’s eye view of other recent developments like the new ultramodern Curve theatre and Highcross shopping centre.

In the west of Leicestershire are the market towns of Hinckley and Bosworth – where King Richard III died in the battle of Bosworth - surrounded by rolling hills and quaint villages. In the North, there’s Ashby de la Zouch and the National Forest. Ballooning south over Blaby promises the River Soar and a ruined 15th century castle at Kirby Muxloe.

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