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Balloons Over - Shincliffe |
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Choose to fly over the captivating and rugged landscape of County Durham and you will take off from either Shincliffe or Witton Castle at Bishop Auckland, depending on the wind direction on the day. Both locations offer spectacular views as and your pilot will confirm the launch site on your flight line. Please take note of directions to both locations.
The stunning sight of Durham’s medieval cathedral and castle, perched regally above a bend on the River Wear, has been hailed one of the most inspirational in Europe.
So, just imagine the feeling you’ll get as you soar high above the city, the imposing towers and turrets with over 1000 years of history passing below you.
Wind willing, Virgin Balloon Flights’ launch site, just a short drive away in the village of Shincliffe, will give you this amazing opportunity.
The striking Norman cathedral was built between 1093 and 1133 and houses the relics of St Cuthbert, the evangelist of Northumbria.
While the castle, a Norman fortress found directly behind, was the residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham.
This World Heritage Site is something to behold, especially from hundreds of feet, but the airbourne appeal of Durham doesn’t end there.
As you watch shoppers milling around in the winding medieval streets, you can take in the many other interesting buildings, attractive stone bridges spanning the Wear, usually home to rowers and river cruisers alike, and the famous university.
Beyond the city limits, enjoy miles of green pasture and woodland punctuated with farms, places of interest and surrounding villages.Shincliffe itself, only 20 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and 17 miles from Sunderland, takes its name from the Anglo Saxon "Scinna Cliffe", meaning "the hill of the ghost of demon". The village is linked closely to nearby Durham as in medieval times it belonged to the priors of the cathedral. At High Shincliffe to the south a modern estate occupies the site of an old mining settlement.
From here you may drift over nearby Croxdale Hall, the grand home of the Salvin family since the 15th century.
So, whether it’s age old architecture or rolling countryside which captures your imagination, you’re bound to have a story to tell after a Virgin Balloon Flight in County Durham.
Back-up Sites : Bishop Auckland.
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Reproduced from Land Ranger® 1:50,000 by permission of Ordnance Survey® on
behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office© Crown
Copyright.
All rights reserved. Licence number 100040229.
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