Hot air balloon ride, lake district

countrybum

I'd like to get my Dad a hot air balloon ride over the Lake District for his 60th - I've searched online and found the Virgin ones.....just wondering if anyone has any reccommendations/suggestions/advice
thanks so much
cb

HisDoris

I have a hot air ballon ride for Durham. I havent been yet - was supposed to go at the start of this month but it was cancelled.

I seen your thread and just thought I'd warn you that the chance of it getting cancelled is about 75% - you dont loose your money and you just have to rebook the flight - most people I have spoke to that have had them it generally takes about 5 attempts to get in the air.

So anyways it was just to make you aware of that before you book .

victor2

Did a Virgin one in the Midlands and it was fantastic.
Few things to consider though....

They only know on the day if the weather is suitable for the balloon, so the departure point needs to be fairly near to his home.
I had 3 cancellations due to weather and finally went almost a year after I was given the flight as a gift. They did automatically extend its expiry date if a booking was cancelled due to weather though. I had to call a number after 11pm the night before the flight was booked to find out if it was still on.
The flight lasted about an hour and the Virgin ones carry quite a few people, but that actually made it fun & they involved everyone. It was nice to fly over places you knew, which is another reason for having it closer to home I suppose.

This is how it was done....

tower

Hi, I booked a Virgin flight for my wifes 40th. Finally got up after 18 Months and 14 cancellations...

You have to be quite spritely as you help to inflate the balloon etc,and you start/finish the trip in the basket on its side.

Our Balloon had 20 people, 4 to a compartment and there were 3 different balloon companies flying together.

If you are watching, you are asked not to follow the balloon and just wait at the launch site till they return.

Ps She did enjoy it.

countrybum

no way! I didn't realise it would take so long to have a sucessful flight! thanks for the heads up

mattbarker

If your looking for a flight in the Lake District i booked for me and my girlfriend with a local company. They were fantastic, they even laid on a picnic hamper for us as well!
They have a smaller basket so you get the more personal approach. Best experience we have ever had.

If you want their details let me know.