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Within a few miles of High Adventure's carefully selected take off sites lie the farms, fells and lakes which are at the heart of this spectacular landscape. Our champagne hot air balloon rides include a commentary on points of interest whilst providing almost effortless access to the natural wonders of Cumbria - The Lake District.
Ballooning, man's oldest form of flight, relies on drifting with gentle winds at a height of between 500 and 3000 feet above the ground. Relatively simple principles determine how hot air balloons work. When conditions allow we may climb to the equivalent height of Scafell Pike within minutes and as you settle into your hot air balloon ride it appears that the ground below just rolls by underneath the traditional wicker basket. |  |
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Our balloon rides in Beatrix Potter's Lakeland rarely follow exactly the same track twice. The launch site is decided on the day of flight from a number of specially chosen pre-arranged locations when details of wind speed and direction have been obtained from our forecasters. The rugged Lakeland terrain determines that in Cumbria balloons fly on the fringe of the main mountain mass. As a balloon flight is 'one way' only we have to fly towards a safe landing area but we aim, within strict safety parameters, to fly over or provide views of Lake Windermere set against the majestic backdrop of the surrounding fells.
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With a predominant west south west wind direction your balloon flight may take off from Fell Foot Park near Newby Bridge, owned by The National Trust, at the southern tip of Lake Windermere giving stunning panoramic views along its length from the well known Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge through Lakeside to the YMCA National Centre and onwards towards Bowness, Belle Isle, the Windermere Ferry, eventually to Ambleside. Whether you are a balloon flight virgin or seasoned aeronaut the wider ranging Lake District vistas towards Grizedale Forest, Coniston and the higher mountain summits which come into view as we climb over Gummers Howe will take your breath away. Other wind directions provide a variation on this magnificent and colourful panorama but whatever the direction of your flight you will take away images to last a lifetime.
Our long established position as the original provider of balloon rides in the Lake District and our excellent relationships with the majority of farmers and landowners mean that we have more launch sites available in the South Lakes area than other balloon companies. This increases the chance of your flight going ahead as we are usually able to fly towards safe and accessible landing areas with most wind directions.
A typical distance covered in a one hour hot air balloon ride can be up to 10 miles. Whilst we are airborne the retrieve team can be spotted following the winding lanes below, maintaining radio contact, until the final landing when permission is sought from the landowner for access and recovery of the balloon and its passengers.
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Following check in at the meeting point we will move to the selected take off site where a comprehensive safety briefing is given by the pilot. There is then the opportunity to get hands on experience in assisting with the preparation of the balloon for flight before the pilot initially cold inflates the large rainbow coloured envelope. Helping with the inflation and re-packing the balloon is all part of the fun and ensures that you get to know your fellow travellers.
The final stage of inflation is the hot inflation which brings the balloon alive. Once you have climbed aboard the basket for your balloon ride there are a few final but important checks, a reminder of the briefing, the application of more heat and we are off, gently rising above the launch site on our lakeland adventure.
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| Balloon flights take place in calm, stable air when the winds are light - typically found soon after dawn and a few hours before sunset. Our meeting time is approximately one hour before anticipated launch to allow for travel time onward to the take off site, safety briefings and preparation of the balloon. We ask you to be on time for the check in at the meeting point as timing is often critical to take advantage of the conditions. Look here for further guidance on timings - precise details will be given at your final call to check whether the flight is on. |
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During your Lakeland champagne balloon ride you will look down on a miniature landscape from a wholly new perspective. Everything looks different with reflections mirrored on water and a map-like layout of fields and houses. The bird's eye view from an aerial tree top level nature walk reveals wildlife going about its daily routine below. Majestic cloud formations or silver mist add to the visual delights as you take in the views.
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| A champagne balloon ride in the Lake District provides an elevated vantage point from which you could experience wide ranging views from the wicker basket over North West England and beyond. The Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill overlooking the Ribble Valley are to the south east, Blackpool Tower in Lancashire to the south, Ingleborough and the Pennines to the Yorkshire Dales to the east and possibly on the clearest of days to Snowdonia, The Isle of Man and over the Lakeland mountain tops to Southern Scotland. We have even seen the Mountains of Mourne in Ireland. You can check out some lakeland views from our links to webcams in the Lake District. |
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Preview the spectacular Lake District landscape and further afield with Google Earth*.
The American author and illustrator William Pene du Bois summed up a balloon flight thus in his 1947 book 'The Twenty-one Balloons' :
'The best way to travel, however, if you aren't in a hurry at all, if you don't care where you are going, if you don't like to use your legs, if you don't want to be annoyed at all by any choice of directions, is in a balloon. In a balloon, you can decide only when to start, and usually when to stop. The rest is left entirely to nature.'
Ballooning hasn't changed greatly since! |
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Part of the thrill of a ballooning adventure is the unknown destination. The pilot cannot predict exactly where the winds will take him, but he uses his skill to guide the balloon to a gentle landing in a sheltered field or on a slope accessible to the retrieve team. On your return to earth you will toast your balloon ride in the traditional style with a glass of chilled champagne or orange juice and be presented with a certificate to record your 'adventure of a lifetime' in The Lakes.
Hot air balloon rides are entirely dependent on the weather and for safety we need the more stable conditions usually found in the early morning or evening with surface wind speeds of around 5mph and upper winds of up to 15mph. We do not fly in rain or conditions of severely restricted visibility. |  |
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The sourcing of accurate forecasts is very important to us and we use the specialist aviation services of the Met. Office together with private consultants to assist in the supply of information necessary for making decisions on the calling of flights. The Lake District is renowned for its complex weather patterns and localised surface conditions being experienced are not always indicative of the conditions which could be found aloft during flight, or indeed on the surface only a few miles away. Cancellations are therefore possible, even on the launch site, but every effort is put into making decisions in sufficient time for passengers to avoid un-necessary travel to the area.
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| The safety of passengers, crew and third parties is paramount and the pilot has the final decision on whether to fly based on his interpretation of the forecasts, considerable experience of passenger balloon flying and knowledge of the area. If your flight is cancelled at the last minute due to unsuitable weather please be patient with our staff - we cannot control the weather - and respect the decision which has been made with the backing of more than 15 years experience of ballooning in the area. After all, none of us wish this to happen! |
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| The combined influences of weather and ground conditions mean that passenger balloon flying in the Lake District is, of necessity, seasonal and details of this, who can fly and what to do in the event of cancelled flights etc can be found on our FAQ page. Please take note of the expiry date on your voucher and ensure that you comply with the Terms and Conditions. Book your flight early in the validity period of the voucher and therefore in sufficient tme to allow for possible weather cancellations and subsequent re-booking before the expiry date. |
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* To access Google Earth your computer must be broadband enabled. |
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If you have broadband why not download Skype for free and make free calls to other Skype users worldwide? A great way to tell them about your balloon ride in the Lake District!
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