Unrestricted Hot Air Ballooning
Nationwide - Valid weekdays and weekends, Dawn and Dusk
Into the Blue unrestricted hot air balloon flights are offered in partnership with Virgin Balloons; a name synonymous with adventure and flight, who have over 100 balloon launch sites across the UK. We also offer two different types of ballooning vouchers, catering for different budgets and preferences over when the flights will be taken.
The premium hot air ballooning vouchers on this page offer the maximum flexibility and convenience, being valid for dawn and dusk flights throughout the week, including weekends, making the perfect present for someone you love. Into the Blue also offers
sunrise ballooning trips which present excellent value for money.
The experience starts with a passenger greeting, followed by the inflation of the balloons. This is great fun to watch, with passengers and spectators often keen to join in to hold it steady whilst hot air is released into the balloon. Just before climbing into the basket, it's time for the pilot briefing and once everyone is settled (and with cameras at the ready) it's time for take off.
Gently, with the hot air lifting the balloon off the ground, you'll will drift skywards and, as you watch the ground slowly drop away, friends and family down below soon look like little ant-sized people. Your familiar towns become toy towns and the rolling countryside becomes a glorious patchwork quilt of seasonal colours as you climb towards 6,000ft.
You will be airborne in the balloons for about an hour, depending on weather conditions and, before you ask, yes it IS true that the pilot never really knows precisely where you will land - but fear not, the ground crew are in radio contact with the pilot and follow the balloon to the safe landing spot! The pilot can control altitude by using the gas burner to force hot air into the balloon and, in theory, a change of height can result in a change of direction - but essentially you are being carried by the wind like a dandelion seed!
Once landed, the ground crew will meet you and there's a champagne toast to celebrate your adventure whilst the balloon is being deflated. Your experience ends with a presentation of commemorative certificates signed by Sir Richard Branson and your pilot, before being transported back to the launch site.
Experience Summary: The hot air balloon flights last approximately one hour, however, you should allow three to four hours for the whole experience. Your flight will conclude with a champagne toast, before being collected by a 4x4 recovery vehicle and returned to the launch site. Other balloon flight experiences are available with Into the Blue.
Availability: Our premium hot air balloon flights can be taken either in the morning or evening, seven days a week (subject to availability). Virgin operates with baskets holding between six and 19 people. The hot air balloons fly throughout the year, subject to weather conditions, meaning availability is often severely restricted between October and March. Hot air balloons are particularly sensitive to wind speed and weather, so several attempts may be required. If you are unlucky with the weather and need to rebook another date, your voucher will be extended for a further 12 months from the date of the last cancelled trip. If you would like us to book a date and time we will need the weights of each participant. Refunds will not be made as a result of weather cancellations.
Requirements: Passengers for ballooning experiences must be a minimum of 4'6" tall and agile enough to be able to climb into the basket and stand for an hour. At the discretion of the pilot, the minimum age is seven years old, with all 7 - 16 year old passengers being accompanied by an adult. There is no maximum age limit, but the experience is not recommended for pregnant women. No special clothing is required, but please wear casual clothes (trousers and long sleeved tops) with flat shoes. A hat/cap is also recommended.
Spectators and Facilities: Spectators are welcome free of charge to watch, but there are no special or separate facilities for spectators at the launch site. Once airborne, spectators can follow the balloon if they wish, at their own risk, but following the ground crew vehicle is not recommended. If spectators arrive at the landing site, they must seek permission from the ground crew to enter the site.
Note: Hot air balloon flights take place at venues throughout the UK and there's no need to specify the venue on buying your voucher.
Venues
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Avon |
Bristol |
Herefordshire
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Hereford |
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Bedfordshire
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Biggleswade |
Hertfordshire
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Knebworth Park
St Albans |
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Berkshire
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Reading
Henley on Thames
Woodcote |
Kent
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Goudhurst
Headcorn
Maidstone
Sutton Valance
Yalding |
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Buckinghamshire
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Aylesbury
Milton Keynes |
Lancashire
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Burton in Lonsdale
Kirby Lonsdale
Wray
Stonyhurst |
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Cambridgeshire
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Cambridge
Ketton Park
Peterborough
Gramsden |
Leicestershire
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Rutland Water |
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Cheshire
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Crewe
Nantwich |
Lincolnshire
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Belton Woods
Bourne
Stamford Meadows
Stoke Rochford |
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Cornwall
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Bolventor
North Petherwin
Liskeard |
Norfolk
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Norwich
Wymondham |
| |
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Northamptonshire
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Newark
Northampton |
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County Durham
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Bishop Auckland
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Oxfordshire
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Oxford |
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Cumbria
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Dalemain
Lake Windermere
Penrith |
Shropshire
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Hawkstone
Ludlow
Shrewsbury
Telford
Whitchurch |
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Derbyshire
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Ashford in the Water
Bakewell
Belpa |
Somerset
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Bath
Glastonbury
Taunton
Yeovil |
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Devon
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Ashburton
Broadclyst
Cornwood
Dartmoor
Exeter
Ivybridge
Kingsbridge
Moor to Sea
Princetown
South Brent
Totnes
Honiton
Tiverton |
Staffordshire |
Stafford |
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Dorset
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Blandford Forum
Shaftesbury |
Suffolk
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Ipswich
Stowmarket
Suffolk Showground |
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Essex
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Braintree
Brentwood
Chelmsford
Colchester
Feering
Harlow |
Sussex
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Crowborough
Fernhurst |
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Gloucestershire
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Cheltenham
Cirencester |
Surrey |
Guildford |
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Hampshire
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Alton
Basingstoke
Hartley Wintney |
Warwickshire
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Stanford Hall |
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Wiltshire
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Marlborough
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WALES
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Abergavenny
Monmouth |
Worcestershire
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Evesham
Shelsley Walsh |
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SCOTLAND
|
Biggar
Castle Fraser
Falkland Palace
Perth
Glamis Castle
Garstang |
Yorkshire |
Harrogate (Ripley Castle)
Thirsk
York |
Customer Reviews
When the flyers arrived back they were thrilled to bits. All passengers had a great time and the crew were fantastic. My husband is now planning his next flight!
Mrs St John - Hot Air Balloon Flight in Northants
My mother had her hot air balloon ride yesterday and absolutely loved every minute of it. It was something she had always wanted to do and now her dream has been fulfilled. Thank you so much for making her dream come true!
Rebecca Jones - Hot Air Balloon Flight in Derbyshire