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A hot air balloon ride over Norfolk and Suffolk, drifting above the beautiful countryside of East Anglia, is a truly unforgettable experience.
In Norwich, our big red balloon launches from Earlham Park, right beside the University of East Anglia.
Watch this historical city pass by 2,000 feet below and see if you can pick out the ‘Norwich 12’ famous landmarks, from Norwich Castle to Dragon Hall.
If you’re looking for a pleasant stroll before or after your flight, only a short walk from our launch site in nearby Bluebell Road is the historic Eaton Park, with 80 beautiful acres filled with things to see and do for all ages.
With a miniature railway, boat pond, Eaton Park Café in the grade II listed rotunda, and a wide range of sports pitches and tracks, this picturesque park is well worth a visit.
If the dramatic expanse of the Norfolk Broads is on your wish list of things to see, a balloon ride from Old Buckenham Airfield to the east of Norwich will give you just that.
Known as one of the ‘prettiest’ airfields in the UK, it is a wonderful spot to begin hot air balloon rides over Norfolk.
Or, if you’re looking to enjoy hot air balloon rides from Ipswich in Suffolk, we launch from nearby Stowmarket.
It’s the perfect spot for spectacular views over the River Gipping and surrounding Suffolk countryside.
Another of our popular Suffolk launch sites is just a few miles away in Brome, near Diss, where we fly from The Oaksmere Hotel (formerly known as The Cornwallis Hotel), offering beautiful views of the north Suffolk countryside.
On a clear day with the right wind, you could see as far as Redgrave and Lopham Fen National Nature Reserve.
Our Suffolk hot air balloon rides have been a regular fixture for several years at this beautiful Tudor property. It also offers some truly delicious food and drink for those looking to include some pre or post-flight refreshment in their day.
Our pilot, Robert has been flying hot air balloons in East Anglia for 25 years and is a true Norfolk native, having lived there most of his life.
In fact, it was when he spotted a hot air balloon over Norwich back in 1990 that he decided he ‘had to get up there and experience it for himself.’
After gaining his pilot licence in 1991, he started his commercial balloon flights career with, of all companies, Eastern Electricity – flying their corporate clients in their promotional hot air balloon over the region.
He then went on to run his own company offering passenger hot air balloon rides in Norfolk and Suffolk, before joining Virgin Balloon Flights a few years ago.
Having also flown all over Europe, including Switzerland, France, Austria, and Germany, Robert said you still couldn’t beat a hot air balloon flight over East Anglia.
“My favourite place to fly is Norfolk, without a doubt,” he said.
“You have 2,000 square miles of such diverse geography, from the Norfolk Broads wetlands to the Breckland Forests. It’s a very special county.
“But Suffolk is also beautiful and I’m lucky enough to fly over both and share the unique hot air balloon ride experience with thousands of happy passengers.”
A hot air balloon ride over Norfolk and Suffolk starts from just £169 per person. Click here for more information or call our team on 01952 212750.
Get your stamps ready, these flights are worth writing home about