Hot Air Ballooning in Bristol & Bath

Welcome to the 2026 hot air ballooning season in Bristol and Bath!

Bristol isn’t just home to Europe’s largest free balloon festival - it’s widely regarded as the hot air ballooning capital of Great Britain. The ballooning season typically runs from March through to October, with balloons most commonly launching from the famous UK launch site at Ashton Court Estate.

During the summer months, if the winds are light enough, it’s not unusual to spot balloons drifting across the skies somewhere in the Bristol region on most mornings and nights. In addition to Ashton Court, balloon teams also regularly fly from Royal Victoria Park, Bath Hot Air Balloon Club, Keynsham and the Maize Field.

Currently 90 airworthy hot air balloons are based in the Bristol / Bath area, making it the most active hot air ballooning region in the UK. See below for more information on flight updates, launch sites, which balloons you can spot, ideal weather conditions and our spotter's guide.

Flight Updates
Spotter's Guide
Launch Sites

Flight Updates for 2026

For 2026, we’re introducing a new way to share flight updates. Our Live Flight Updates page is being retired, and all confirmed flights will now be posted directly on our Facebook page. Updates will only be shared when flights are confirmed from Ashton Court, Royal Victoria Park, or Bath Hot Air Balloon Club.

The Facebook post will contain:

Date
AM / PM
Number of balloons expected at Ashton Court, Bristol
Number of balloons expected at Royal Victoria Park, Bath
Number of balloons expected at Bath Hot Air Balloon Club, Saltford (Snake Meadows)
Meeting times

Time until next update

HOURS

MIN

SEC

🔴 LIVE Updates - Real-time updates to this Facebook post will take place as we get closer to flight time, as additional balloons may join.

See today's live flight status below. If status is yellow or red, there may not be an update when the countdown ends. If green, we're good to go!

Loading status...

If flights are cancelled, there will be no post. If flights are confirmed from alternative launch sites such as Maize Field or Keynsham, there will be no post.

DOWNLOAD - 2026 Spotter's Guide

We have created a new spotter's guide for 2026 with every balloon you can see in the skies around Bristol and Bath. Simply download, print and enjoy!

Your challenge - try and spot as many as you can during this year’s season.

Launch Sites main sites in Bristol and Bath

Ashton Court, Bristol

📍 Address: Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN

🅿️ Parking: You can easily park in the Ashton Court mansion house car park at the top of the hill, arriving via Kennel Lodge Road (BS3 2JT) past the UWE Bower Ashton Campus. You must pay for parking at the machine.

ℹ️ Once you’ve arrived in the car park, follow the path with the mansion house on your left. Continue walking and you’ll soon see the balloon teams setting up on your right. This area is known as the Bowl, and it’s where the Bristol Balloon Fiesta was originally held until 1988, when the event moved to what is now known as the Fiesta Field on the other side of the trees.

ℹ️ The car park can get very busy during the summer, so it may be best to walk or take public transport at times.

🔍 Passenger rides balloons and privately operated balloons fly from this location.

Royal Victoria Park, Bath

📍 Address: Royal Victoria Park, Marlborough Lane, Bath, BA1 2NQ

🅿️ Parking: You can leave your car anywhere around the edge of the entire park. You must pay for parking at the machines.

ℹ️ The launch field is located adjacent to the allotments on the right hand side and south of the golf course. Look for large green open space and you'll soon spot the balloon teams.

🔍 Passenger rides balloons and privately operated balloons fly from this location.

Bath Hot Air Balloon Club, Saltford

📍 Address: Snake Meadows, 565 Bath Road, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3JS

🅿️ Parking: You can park in the field for free, but please keep to the edge. Strictly no right turn when leaving the field.

ℹ️ To locate Snake Meadows, it's just past the Cash4Cars garage when driving from Saltford towards Bath.

🔍 Privately operated balloons fly from this location.

Maize Field

Flight updates not available

Keynsham Rugby Football Club

Flight updates not available

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. In order from most active at the top to least active.

Total active balloons: 91

Passenger Balloons

Name: Virgin (G-VBBF)
Operator: Virgin Balloon Flights

Name: Virgin (G-VBAU)
Operator: Virgin Balloon Flights

Name: Virgin (G-VBBB)
Operator: Virgin Balloon Flights

Name: Thatchers Cider (G-CMTW)
Operator: First Flight

Name: Thatchers Cider (G-CMKM)
Operator: First Flight

Name: Bradfords (G-CMND)
Operator: First Flight

Name: 1936 Bière (G-CNCD)
Operator: First Flight

Name: G-FABX
Operator: Fly Away Ballooning

Name: Bath Gin (G-INZZ)
Operator: Fly Away Ballooning

Name: G-CMNN
Operator: The Hot Air Balloon Company

Name: The Hot Air Balloon Company (G-CMYD)
Operator: The Hot Air Balloon Company

Name: Wilton (G-CNAN)
Operator: The Hot Air Balloon Company

Name: Poplar Insulation (G-CLZI)
Operator: Sky High Ballooning

Name: G-RTRO
Operator: Sky High Ballooning

Name: Blu (G-CMSZ)
Operator: Sky High Ballooning

Name: Renishaw (G-MEAS)
Operator: Ballooning Access

Name: Royal Crescent Hotel (G-CMLR)
Operator: Bailey Exclusive

Special Shapes

Name: Slither the Snake (G-SNKE)
Balloon Team: Bath Hot Air Balloon Club / Able Scaffolding Balloon Team

Name: Astro / Astrina the Alien (G-OMIB / G-OWIB)
Balloon Team: Fly Alien

Round Balloons

Name: Able Scaffolding (G-CMAB)
Balloon Team: Bath Hot Air Balloon Club / Able Scaffolding Balloon Team

Name: Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance (G-CMEX)
Balloon Team: Bath Hot Air Balloon Club / Able Scaffolding Balloon Team

Name: SM Gauge Company (G-GAGE)
Balloon Team: SM Gauge & Ben's Tiles Model Balloon Team

Name: BWS Standfast (G-CJRO)
Balloon Team: Spirit Operations

Name: Southern Plasticlad (G-CJIH)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Pump Wright (G-ESMI)
Balloon Team: The Hot Air Balloon Company

Name: Ben's Tiles (G-RECL)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Prestige Grounds (G-MOWW)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: ETS Group (G-OETS)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: V12 Footwear / Band of Builders (G-CMBW)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Iris (G-CCJH)
Balloon Team: Iris Balloon Team

Name: Bristol Blue (G-UWEB)
Balloon Team: Bristol Blue Balloon Team

Name: B&A Group (G-JIMA)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: cj Hole (G-CIHO)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-BVEN
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-RONY
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Bristol University (G-CJXJ)
Balloon Team: BUHABS

Name: Ginger Ninja (G-GNJR)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Novia (G-NFVB)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CLNX
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Corsham Patios & Fencing (G-CPAF)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CLPD
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind

Name: Stairway to Heaven (G-CEFS)
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind

Name: Taittinger (G-CMSB)
Balloon Team: Phoenix Balloons

Name: Tik Tak (G-CLTT)
Balloon Team: Phoenix Balloons

Name: G-CGFY
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Russell Trew (G-TREW)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CKXA
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Belmont Estate (G-CLHV)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Betty P (G-CDGN)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Bristol University (G-CDWD)
Balloon Team: BUHABS

Name: G-CIND
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CLPC
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-OMDD
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Up / Down (G-BZYY)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CBVD
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Roof Care 365 (G-CNCW)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CGVY
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-BYHU
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-MILE
Balloon Team: Miles Architectural Ironmongery Ltd Balloon Team

Name: G-TSWI
Balloon Team: Miles Architectural Ironmongery Ltd Balloon Team

Name: G-CKWW
Balloon Team: Cameron Balloons

Name: G-CLMM
Balloon Team: Cameron Balloons

Name: Silverline (G-CEUV)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-BWIP
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-WADZ
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-BTHF
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-PYRO
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Creative Developments (G-CHXS)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Secret Leader (G-BOEK)
Balloon Team: Iris Balloon Team

Name: Clutton Car & Van (G-CNPW)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Alien Probe 1 (G-CMLH)
Balloon Team: Fly Alien

Name: Alien Probe 2 (G-CMZN)
Balloon Team: Fly Alien

Name: Bristol & West (G-CBNW)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CFUX
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Zycomm (G-BXUW)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: RVS (G-ORCV)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: Giraffe (G-RAFE)
Balloon Team: Spirit Operations

Name: G-CKTG
Balloon Team: Kubicek Balloons UK

Name: JLL (G-CIGI)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-BRMU
Balloon Team: n/a

Hoppers

Name: Beat (G-ISOB)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CIJJ
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-HEXE
Balloon Team: Gone with the Wind

Name: Fairy (G-BXYI)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-BROJ
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CMRO
Balloon Team: Phoenix Balloons

Name: G-CBLN
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-CJWY
Balloon Team: Cameron Balloons

Name: Daisy the Cow (G-CMOO)
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-PIXE
Balloon Team: n/a

Name: G-LELE
Balloon Team: n/a