Ballooning in the West Country

Travel & LeisureOutdoors

  • Author Eve Ashwell
  • Published March 19, 2012
  • Word count 467

The rural West Country is one of the most scenic areas in Britain; filled with rolling hills, quaint villages and delightful ocean harbours. There is a huge appetite for hot air ballooning in the area, with the International Balloon Fiesta being being held in Bristol every year, attracting around 500,000 visitors. With the great variety of sights to see in this picturesque region of the UK, there is little surprise that ballooning is a popular pastime in the area.

Untarnished by the sands of time, the landscape in Devon has remained remarkably similar over the ages, with miles of golden sandy beaches and plenty of spectacular cliffs to see from the sky. The Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks offer an unparalleled birds-eye view of the peaceful beauty that nature provides. The county itself is stitched together by an ancient patchwork of fields and farms, providing a splendid view no matter which way your flight takes you. Totnes is the ideal location to set off from, with views of the Steamer Quay and a Norman Castle all clearly visible from the initial launch site.

Somerset boasts the smallest and one of the most handsome cities in Britain, Wells. Despite only having a population of roughly 11,000, the city boasts a spectacular Cathedral and the grandiose Bishops Palace. Also located in Somerset is the Glastonbury Tor, a holy hill supposedly home to the King of the Fairies. The Tor is topped by the tower of a ruined 15th-century church that can be seen for miles around. And while you’re in the region, why not pick up some world renowned Cheddar cheese direct from the source?

Cornwall is the most popular holiday destination in the UK, and it’s easy to see why so many tourists are attracted to the county. When ballooning in Cornwall, the ancient capital Launceston is a great place to set off on your adventure. The rugged Bodmin Moor and the Atlantic Coast flank either side of the town, offering great views of land and sea. With Dartmoor and the River Tamar close by, it is considered by all who visit to be an area of considerable beauty.

The Cerne Abbas Giant is one of the landmarks most synonymous with Dorset. The 180ft club-wielding chalk man is visible from afar and is thought to be around 1,800 years old. Arguably the most epic sight in the county is of the 1,000 year old ruins of Corfe Castle, which overlooks the stunning village below.

With the stunning landscape of rural south west Britain on offer, you cannot help but be overwhelmed by this majestic region. Whether you see farmland, countryside, beaches or towns and cities, there’s a great view whichever direction you fly. Don't forget to take your camera, so you can remember the amazing journey you take forever.

Submitted by Eve Ashwell, Digital Marketing Executive at Virgin Balloon Flights. Virgin Balloon Flights operate the largest fleet of hot air balloons in the UK, offering the experience of hot air balloon rides throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

For more information on ballooning in the south west, please visit virginballoonflights.co.uk.

Article source: https://articlebiz.com
This article has been viewed 1,072 times.

Rate article

Article comments

There are no posted comments.