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The UK’s longest running hot air balloon company, in conjunction with our flight provider, Virgin Balloon Flights.
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Founded in 1987, British School Of Ballooning provided hot air balloon rides from a number of sites across Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
In 2016 the company became part of Adventure Balloons and as of December 2022, Virgin Balloon Flights took on both operators’ passengers following the retirement of Adventure Balloons’ owners.
Our balloon crews have a great local knowledge so that whichever of these areas you choose to fly from you will have an enjoyable ballooning experience.
When flying with us on our balloon flights in Sussex you can choose to fly from our base at Petworth GU28 9ND in West Sussex, or from our East Sussex launch site at Patcham close to Brighton. For our East Sussex balloon flights we also have back up sites further in land at Wych Cross, Sheffield Park and Hickstead for those days when the wind is blowing from the north and heading to sea!
For our hot air balloon rides over Hampshire which site we use will also depend on the wind speed and direction on the day and any other operational factors. Our most frequently used ballooning site over recent years is our site at West Meon, about 400 metres west of the West Meon Hut Public House, GU32 1JX. Nearly as frequently our flights may go from Anstey Park, Anstey Road, Alton, GU34 2NB or from Micheldever Playing Field, Micheldever Station, SO21 3AU. On the odd occasion we have to come further inland to our launch sites in and around Basingstoke to avoid getting too close to the South Coast on landing if the wind is from the north.
Our most popular Surrey balloon rides launch site is Shalford Park, Guildford GU4 8AA. We also have sites at Godalming and Farnham to deal with variations in the wind direction. But as Surrey is a small county with Heathrow and Gatwick airspace to its north and south we may sometimes have to use one of our West Sussex or Hampshire launch sites and fly back into Surrey to enable a safe flight.
Our team are happy to answer any questions you might have. To speak with our main office about any ballooning matters please telephone us during the above hours on 01428 707 307
British School of Ballooning is a trading name of Adventure Balloons Ltd and you can click here for more information.
Or you can email us at customerservice@virginballoonflights.co.uk