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Hot air ballooning in Dorset

16 August, 2010 (21:10) | Hot Air Ballooning Guide | By: admin

Most people who love air activities look for ballooning, which is known as the greatest adventure sport in England. Being 5, 000 feet above the surface on the earth, sipping on champagne (or a soft drink!), a single can see landmarks with the countryside from several unique perspectives. A valley that runs from the south of Somerset through to Dorset is 1 of one of the most attractive look at points for those who experience ballooning in Dorset. The town, the river basin and the Blackmore vale all together make the look at dynamically exciting in a hot air balloon.

Ballooning in Dorset starts from either Shaftesbury or Sherborne and individuals are extremely excited before the trip that enables them to look at the county as never ahead of. The spot of Dorset is simply awesome simply because whichever way the wind requires you, you’ll be able to see the greatness of the landscape plus the scenes of medieval times really clearly along with the Southern coastline of England (allowing sights of Christchurch and Bournemouth). This is 1 with the factors why ballooning in Dorset is so common and persons desire to have a chance of experiencing it. It does’t matter exactly where the wind takes the balloon what might be seen throughout the flight would be the truely memorable.

No balloon ride is considered complete until you get to see the town and region of Sherborne. The Sherborne base is the last stage of the balloon flight prior to they make the landing. There is an additional region in regarded in “Ballooning in Dorset” and that’s in the south, Blandford Forum. It is picturesque and actually refreshing with the river, the town and quite a few places around the area delivering a marvellous view for the passengers in the balloon.

Men and women interested in ballooning in Dorset can also appear at various internet sites for more info. There is certainly further info regarding the launch internet site, the average speed of wind within the location plus the place exactly where the balloons lands. The most significant element with regards to ballooning will be the security in the passengers. We’ve been ballooning inside the tranquil county of Dorset for over 10 years and have an impeccable safety record. The quality of flights is acknowledged by the study done by the Dorset Ballooning Association who specialise in providing the greatest flight their tourists.

Hot Air Balloon Flights Across Dorset

8 July, 2010 (22:14) | Hot Air Ballooning Guide | By: admin

Dorset will forever be linked for the writings of novelist Thomas Hardy – Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess on the d’Urbervilles and Far from your Madding Crowd were all set inside fictional land of ‘Wessex’ which took Dorchester and surrounds as it’s inspiration. A hot air balloon ride more than the area offers the perfect chance to view several in the county’s landmarks from a completely new perspective – or additional specifically from anything up to 5,000 feet.

A great spot to start is Shaftesbury or the ‘Shaston’ of Hardy’s novels. The town is an perfect position to view both the breathtaking River Stour basin plus the beautiful Blackmore Vale – a valley which runs from south Somerset into Dorset. As well as numerous fine historical buildings, Shaftesbury has a single particularly well-known cobbled street. Gold Hill featured inside the well known Hovis bread advert: most folks are going to be familiar while using iconic images of a young boy pushing his loaf-laden bike up the slope on the sound of Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony.

Shaftesbury is really a modest marketplace town having a history that goes back to medieval times and hill-top forts. From the skies you may be in a position to spy ancient Wardour Castle, quaint villages like Motcombe, Cherry Orchard and Sturminster Newton and even Glastonbury Tor on a clear day. Whichever direction the wind requires you, you’ll be in a position to appreciate Dorset’s wonderful patchwork of fields, farm-land and modest forests.

Sherborne is a fine centre to base yourself and an perfect area to explore the wide open skies by hot air balloon. Of specific note in this unspoilt region of Dorset could be the Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin, now frequently regarded as Sherborne Abbey. It has been a Saxon cathedral, a Benedictine abbey and is now a parish church. Sherborne is literally packed towards the rafters with historic buildings including Sherborne School, Sherborne House and also the Almshouses. Sherborne also featured in Hardy’s books but as ‘Sherton Abbas’ and no balloon ride here would be complete with no viewing the majestic Sherborne Castle.

Further south, a warm air balloon trip from Blandford Forum is as refreshing as the ‘Badger’ beers it’s well known for. The small market town within the River Stour is really a fantastic position to fly over. Look out for your corn exchange, marketplace place and six arch bridge, which are highlights with the Georgian architecture present throughout. Just south lies the tiny village of Blandford St Mary, house from the Hall and Woodhouse brewery, where ales like Badger Original, Tanglefoot, and Fursty Ferret are still produced today. Despite the fact that Champagne could be the conventional ballooning tipple, following a balloon ride from Blandford Forum, maybe we ought to make an exception.

If the wind requires you west you may just be in a position to catch a glimpse in the Cerne Giant at Cerne Abbas. The 180ft higher, male figure carved into the side of a steep hill is believed to be an ancient symbol of spirituality. The giant is an critical component of the culture of Dorset and according to folklore is connected with fertility.