Balloon Flights across Cambridgeshire

Travel & LeisureOutdoors

  • Author Eve Ashwell
  • Published February 6, 2011
  • Word count 443

Rolling countryside punctuated by charming waterways, historical towns and iconic architecture make Cambridgeshire a county of great contrast. A hot air balloon ride over Cambridgeshire provides the perfect opportunity to view this scenic county from an entirely new perspective - or more specifically from anything up to 5,000 feet.

With architectural and cultural richness in abundance it is easy to see why Cambridge has become one of the UK’s top tourist destinations. As you begin your sky-bound adventure you will spot the River Cam weaving its way through the city centre, which is dominated by the University and its 31 iconic college buildings, atmospheric cobbled courts, chapels and bridges.

As your flight progresses you may spot the thatched cottages of the tranquil village of Little Thetford, which rests on the bank of the River Great Ouse, or maybe you will be fortunate enough to capture a glimpse of Ely Cathedral, considered one of the seven wonders of the medieval world. As the natural fen landscape flows into the city centre you are sure to be captivated by this magical county.

To the west of Cambridge lies the quaint village of Little Gransden, making it an ideal launch site. With a collection of fine listed buildings including the Old Rectory and church as well as two airfields, you will be absorbed by the English charm of this scenic village. During your flight you may drift above the stunning Wimpole Hall, a National Trust treasure, immersed in belts of woodland and gently rolling hills, or maybe you will capture a glance of the enchanting Hayley Wood, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for its notable plant life.

Peterborough’s location at the north of the county makes it another ideal launch site. Originally founded around a Saxon abbey, the city has now become a melting pot of modern architecture and iconic historical buildings, most notably the breath-taking Norman cathedral whose Gothic architecture dominates the city's landscape. With a combination of shopping malls, individual boutiques and local markets, the city has earned its reputation as a shopping mecca, making it an ideal place to explore post-flight.

As the thriving city centre gives way to tranquil countryside you will be sure to notice the colourful boats moored along the embankment of the River Nene and the patch-work fields of the surrounding areas. Depending on wind direction you may drift across the serene Wansford pasture, where you will be sure to spot the striking purple flowers of the musk thistle, or maybe you will capture a glance of Burghley House, a 16th century country house whose Elizabethan facades have appeared in various films including The Da Vinci Code.

Submitted by Eve Ashwell at Virgin Balloon Flights - operators of the largest fleet of hot air balloons in the UK, offering the experience of hot air ballooning from over 100 launch sites across the country. For more information on ballooning in Cambridgeshire visit Virgin Balloon Flights.

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