Hot Air Ballooning in Bristol & Bath
Bristol isn't only home to Europe's largest, free annual balloon fiesta - it's the ballooning capital of Great Britain! The hot air ballooning season runs from March to October with balloons mainly flying from well-known UK launch site Ashton Court Estate. You can spot a balloon flying somewhere in our region on most days in the summer, that is if the wind is light enough, of course! Balloon teams also fly from Keynsham as well as Royal Victoria Park and Maize Field nearby in Bath. We have over 100 airworthy hot air balloons based around Bristol, which you can find more about below.
Have a look through this page to see which balloons you can expect to see in the skies and info about MJ Ballooning's flight updates.
Flight Updates for 2021
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STATUS: ACTIVE
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Go to LIVE FLIGHT UPDATES
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We are pleased to say that flight updates are available from 17th May.
You can access this via our MJ Ballooning Live Flight Updates page, which will be updated every day AM and PM with flight status, number of balloons expected and meeting times. Of course, it won't always be flyable. Info will be available for Ashton Court and Royal Victoria Park only - Maize Field and Keynsham flights are not available.
For these updates and much more, follow MJ Ballooning on Facebook and Twitter. Follow on Instagram for our best ballooning photos and throwbacks.
Read our blog 'Good News! Return to Flying in England' here.
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Launch Sites main sites in Bristol and Bath
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Ashton Court: Park in the car park via the Bower Ashton entrance (festival way). Walk around keeping the mansion house on your left and you will see the balloon teams setting up on the right. This is called the Ashton Court bowl and you can watch many different balloon teams fly from here.
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Royal Victoria Park: You can park in Charlotte St car park or in the park itself. Mainly ride balloons fly from Bath Park, known as RVP, taking off from the large open area in the centre. It's a beautiful setting on a fine summers evening for a flight!
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Wind Direction
Wind direction and speed are the main factors to consider when flying and planning a flight. Pilots will often aim for a particular landing site based on the forecast prior to take off and will use the wind at different levels to 'steer' the balloon as best they can. But ultimately, you never know where you will end up.
For flying from Ashton Court, NE (Bristol Airport) is a bad direction, which will see ride balloons mostly likely divert to Royal Victoria Park to get as far right as possible for their flight. Private balloonists would likely move to maize field in this situation. Anything around 8-15kts gradient (2000ft wind) from Ashton Court and SW-NW direction will allow for a perfect flight across Bristol. Complications may arise if there isn't enough wind to reach the other side of the city!
The trickiest wind direction in our region is a SE, which even from Bath will take the balloon straight over Bristol. Make sure you follow us for updates!
Hot Air Balloons in Bristol and Bath
Here are the balloons that you can expect to see flying in Bristol and Bath from all different launch sites.
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Balloons marked 'NEW' are recently built or new to the area.
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Total active balloons: 111
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Name: Bristol Balloons
Balloon Team: Bristol Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-PRZI
Balloon Team: Bailey Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Virgin G-VBFT
Balloon Team: Virgin Balloon Flights Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field |
Name: Bath Building Society
Balloon Team: Bath Balloons Flies from: Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Ashton Court |
Name: Virgin G-VBAU
Balloon Team: Virgin Balloon Flights Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Novia
Balloon Team: Ballooning Network Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Bailey Balloons
Balloon Team: Bailey Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Park Furnishers
Balloon Team: Ballooning Network Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-CDIT
Balloon Team: Bailey Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Bristol & West
Balloon Team: Bailey Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Torex
Balloon Team: Ballooning Network Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Keynsham |
Name: Tribute
Balloon Team: First Flight Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Polar Bear Windows
Balloon Team: Elite Air Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Cash4Cars
Balloon Team: Elite Air Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Anana
Balloon Team: Bailey Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Thatchers Cider
Balloon Team: First Flight Flies From: Ashton Court |
Name: TVE Group
Balloon Team: First Flight Flies From: Ashton Court |
Name: EDF Energy
Balloon Team: Bailey Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: SM Gauge Company
Balloon Team: SM Gauge & Ben's Tiles Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Ben's Tiles
Balloon Team: SM Gauge & Ben's Tiles Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Keynsham, Maize Field |
Name: The Panther
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Upper Swainswick |
Name: Bateman Skips
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Upper Swainswick |
Name: Southern Plasticlad
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: ETS Group NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Upper Swainswick |
Name: Pump Wright NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Upper Swainswick |
Name: Able Scaffolding NEW
Balloon Team: Able Scaffolding Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: Bath Gin NEW
Balloon Team: Fly Away Ballooning Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: G-BHBB NEW
Balloon Team: Fly Away Ballooning Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-CIOU NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: Bristol Blue
Balloon Team: Bristol Blue Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field |
Name: Red Box
Balloon Team: Red Box Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Ascent
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field |
Name: BWS Standfast G-CJRO
Balloon Team: BWS Standfast Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-CGVY
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-CKAD
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-CLPD NEW
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-CBWK
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-BVEN
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-BSEV NEW
Balloon Team: Donor Card Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Fresh Air NEW
Balloon Team: Fresh Air Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-CBVD
Balloon Team: Phoenix Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: cj Hole
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Guinea Pig NEW
Balloon Team: SM Gauge & Ben's Tiles Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: David Hathaway G-BZFD
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-CGFY
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-BXXG
Balloon Team: Wind Beneath My Wings Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-LIPS NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: TBC (tethers at Ashton Court) |
Name: G-CIND
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-CIHN
Balloon Team: Airship & Balloon Company Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-CIXU
Balloon Team: Airship & Balloon Company Flies from: Ashton Court, Keynsham, Maize Field |
Name: G-BWIP
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field, Royal Victoria Park |
Name: Discovery Channel
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field |
Name: Rotork
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Royal Victoria Park (PM only) |
Name: Above + Beyond
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Taittinger
Balloon Team: Phoenix Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Fishtank
Balloon Team: Flying Enterprises Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: Betty P
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Bluebell (out of area)
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: G-CHXF
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: Up / Down G-BZYY
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Keynsham, Maize Field |
Name: Creative Developments
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Purple Rain
Balloon Team: Purple Rain Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: G-BYHU
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field |
Name: Silver Lining
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Bristol University
Balloon Team: BUHABS Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham, Private |
Name: G-CKXA
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-MILE
Balloon Team: Miles Architectural Ironmongery Ltd Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-CKTG
Balloon Team: Kubicek Balloons UK Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Belmont Estate
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field |
Name: B&A Group
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field, Ashton Court |
Name: G-HEXE
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Silverline
Balloon Team: Santana Rose Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: G-CIPD
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-CIJJ Hopper
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-CLPC NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: G-BTHF
Balloon Team: Airship & Balloon Company Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Bristol University
Balloon Team: BUHABS Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham, Private |
Name: G-CSEE
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: Tik Tak G-CLTT
Balloon Team: Phoenix Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: Stairway to Heaven
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Fairy Hopper
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Club Flyouts |
Name: G-BVLA Hopper
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: G-PYRO
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: G-LORY Hopper
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-CJOI Hopper
Balloon Team: Cameron Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court ^Photo: Matt Siera^ |
Name: G-CKSW Hopper
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: BWS Standfast G-CJRK
Balloon Team: BWS Standfast Balloon Team Flies from: Ashton Court, Bishop Sutton |
Name: Zycomm G-BXUW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Cameron Balloons G-CKWW
Balloon Team: Cameron Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-BKFG Hopper
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court ^Photo: Tom Balson^ |
Name: Beat Hopper NEW
Balloon Team: Cameron Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-CLPW Hopper NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: ??? |
Name: G-CDIB
Balloon Team: Ballooning Network Flies from: Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: Grand Appeal Rocket NEW
Balloon Team: Exclusive Ballooning Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: RVS
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: Skymonkeys
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field |
Name: G-BVBU
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field, Club Flyouts |
Name: Virgin G-BROJ
Balloon Team: Airship & Balloon Company Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: David Hathaway G-CHFM
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Club Flyouts |
Name: G-CKPR
Balloon Team: Cameron Balloons Flies from: Ashton Court, Private sites |
Name: G-BRMU
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Club Flyouts |
Name: G-OWLY
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Club Flyouts |
Name: G-WADZ
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Snow Business G-KAYI
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Bishop Sutton, Club Flyouts |
Name: G-CLNX NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-STAC NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-BVFF NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Maize Field, Club Flyouts |
Name: ??? NEW
Balloon Team: Sky High Ballooning Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field, Keynsham |
Name: G-DSPK (artwork removed)
Balloon Team: Bailey Balloons Flies from: Private |
Name: Slick the Dragon
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind Flies from: n/a |
Name: Green Carpentry NEW
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: ??? |
Name: G-CJIG (out of area)
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court, Maize Field |
Name: Fly Navy (out of area)
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Unknown / Private |
Name: G-XPDA (out of area)
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: G-JHAA (out of area)
Balloon Team: n/a Flies from: Ashton Court |
Name: Chew Valley Dairy (2022) NEW
Balloon Team: ??? Flies from: ??? |
Non Airworthy Hot Air Balloons in Bristol and Bath
Here are some other balloons owned locally in Bristol and Bath, which could be tethered at local events and flyouts.
Name: Bristol Balloon Collectors (50+ balloons)
Click here to view the full collection. |
Name: G-LEXI
Balloon Team: Fresh Air Balloon Team |
Name: G-BNPE
Balloon Team: Wind Beneath My Wings Balloon Team |
