Ballooning In Kent
If you have ever dreamed of 'flying like a bird', ballooning offers an unrivaled experience that allows you to glide majestically over a stunning backdrop. Kent offers some of the most exceptional natural views for ballooning enthusiasts and first-time flyers to enjoy.
Why Kent?
Known as the Garden of England, Kent hosts some of the most picturesque sites in the UK, including the architectural icon, Canterbury Cathedral. The natural beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover can also be enjoyed while soaring through the sky over the coastline of Kent.The county is also home to wine production in the country, with a balloon experience offering stunning views over vineyards. If you have never visited Kent before, a hot air balloon ride offers a unique way to capture the beauty of this magnificent location from an entirely new perspective. With launch sites in Wadhurst, Maidstone (Mote Park), Sutton Valence and Headcorn; Kent stands out as one of the premier ballooning locations in Europe.
What to expect?
Your ballooning adventure will begin once you have reached your chosen launch site. All passengers are fully briefed by a member of the crew and pilot about how to remain safe during your flight. Once youve been taken through the basics, passengers can witness or even take part in the process of inflating the balloon.
Within minutes of a smooth takeoff, the balloon can climb as high as five thousand feet into the sky and offers a unique opportunity to take photos and videos to help remind you of your adventure after you land.
The hot air ballooning experience lasts for approximately fours hours, with around an hour in the air and is always traditionally concluded with a Champagne toast upon landing.
The history of ballooning in Kent
French brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier were the first innovators of the hot air ballooning. Coming from a family of paper manufacturers, they noticed that smoke rose in fires and so had bags placed above the heat of the flames. They became the first to experiment in the use of hot air in aviation; first by using unmanned balloons. The Montgolfiers first recorded human test flight occurred on 19th October 1783.
Kent remains a key landmark in the history of hot air balloons in the UK. In 1785 Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries accomplished the first international flight in crossing the English Channel in a journey that took two and half hours. They launched from Dover in Kent soaring over the White Cliffs. During this trip the balloon nearly crashed into the English channel. They lost their cargo to the sea, except one item which can be credited as the first piece of international airmail. The flight was a success after landing safely in Felmores Forest, Calais in France.
Wherever it takes you, a balloon tours over Kent is an unforgettable experience, allowing you to become part of British aviation history.
Why Kent?
Known as the Garden of England, Kent hosts some of the most picturesque sites in the UK, including the architectural icon, Canterbury Cathedral. The natural beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover can also be enjoyed while soaring through the sky over the coastline of Kent.The county is also home to wine production in the country, with a balloon experience offering stunning views over vineyards. If you have never visited Kent before, a hot air balloon ride offers a unique way to capture the beauty of this magnificent location from an entirely new perspective. With launch sites in Wadhurst, Maidstone (Mote Park), Sutton Valence and Headcorn; Kent stands out as one of the premier ballooning locations in Europe.
What to expect?
Your ballooning adventure will begin once you have reached your chosen launch site. All passengers are fully briefed by a member of the crew and pilot about how to remain safe during your flight. Once youve been taken through the basics, passengers can witness or even take part in the process of inflating the balloon.
Within minutes of a smooth takeoff, the balloon can climb as high as five thousand feet into the sky and offers a unique opportunity to take photos and videos to help remind you of your adventure after you land.
The hot air ballooning experience lasts for approximately fours hours, with around an hour in the air and is always traditionally concluded with a Champagne toast upon landing.
The history of ballooning in Kent
French brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier were the first innovators of the hot air ballooning. Coming from a family of paper manufacturers, they noticed that smoke rose in fires and so had bags placed above the heat of the flames. They became the first to experiment in the use of hot air in aviation; first by using unmanned balloons. The Montgolfiers first recorded human test flight occurred on 19th October 1783.
Kent remains a key landmark in the history of hot air balloons in the UK. In 1785 Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries accomplished the first international flight in crossing the English Channel in a journey that took two and half hours. They launched from Dover in Kent soaring over the White Cliffs. During this trip the balloon nearly crashed into the English channel. They lost their cargo to the sea, except one item which can be credited as the first piece of international airmail. The flight was a success after landing safely in Felmores Forest, Calais in France.
Wherever it takes you, a balloon tours over Kent is an unforgettable experience, allowing you to become part of British aviation history.
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