Your balloon ride with British School of Ballooning will now take place with Virgin Balloon Flights. While many of Virgin’s launch sites are in the same counties, the actual locations you fly from may differ.

Visit the Virgin Balloon Flights website for an up-to-date list of more than 100 locations they fly from.

All of our East Sussex balloon launch sites are an easy drive from the South Coast of England towns of Brighton, Worthing and Eastbourne.

Our Ashdown Park Hotel balloon ride launch site is a delightful country hotel south of East Grinstead and well worth the drive. Many of our passengers have breakfast here after their balloon flight or enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea before an evening flight. The neo-Gothic Victorian country manor house with its own church is a beautiful view on take off. Once in the air you may be treated to an aerial view of Sheffield Park and Garden or the Bluebell Railway as they slowly reveal themselves.

On your balloon flight you’ll witness the majesty of the East Sussex countryside and catch awesome glimpses of the outskirts of urban London. The rolling fields will give way to the Ashdown Forest and to some of the area’s more fascinating National Trust properties such as Nymans and High Beeches, stunning Wakehurst Place with its Elizabethan mansion and ornamental gardens, the charming Borde Hill Gardens estate and not forgetting the breath-taking views to the South Downs.

Hickstead Showground is another of our East Sussex launch sites. Because it too is set conveniently in the heart of the Sussex countryside there are glorious views every way you look. Castles litter the countryside such as Amberley, Arundel and Knepp Castles; all are fabulous when viewed from the air. There are beautiful gardens such as Borde Hill, various golf courses, the Wildbrooks bounding the River Arun, windmills such as at Shipley or closer by, the famous Jack and Jill pair, the Ardingly reservoir, and the impressive Balcombe viaduct are all clearly visible. Get your pilot to point out the memorial to Queen Victoria on the north face of the South Downs.

Incidentally, the Sussex Downs offer some of the best walking and hiking in the South East if you really want to make a day of it. If you come by public transport you will find easy access to this launch site from Crawley, Horsham, Burgess Hill and Brighton. When the wind is in a southerly direction, as is often the case in the Summer, will use our Patcham launch site. The views of Brighton and the coast are truly spectacular as you drift over famous landscapes such as Devil’s Dyke and Ditchling Beacon. Take your pick from the many charming local villages nearby if you’re looking to enjoy a meal before or after your flight.

We can also offer balloon flights in West Sussex

Location Map

Have a question? Speak to an experienced team member on 01428 707 307, or send us a message from the contact page.