Bristol Balloons
Bristol Balloons
4.5
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Full view
About
Bristol's longest established balloon flight operator. A small family owned business, operating usually from the Ashton Court Estate. Flights afford a magnificent view of the city (depending upon the wind direction), possibly flying past The Suspension Bridge, SS Great Britain and the city docks and central area. Morning, Weekday and Weekend flight voucher options are available, plus flights from the annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. NB: Balloon Flight times do vary due to changing daylight hours. 'Hours' given on this listing are 'office hours' excluding public holidays.
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4.5
158 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
16
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
16
littlelioncub
Bristol, UK7 contributions
Jul 2021
My dad and I went on a balloon flight with Bristol Balloons. It was SO much fun, I loved it. The pilot was really good, and even when the wind changed direction and we ended up somewhere unexpected I always felt safe and in good hands. I also thought that they were very considerate and dealt very well with the farmer whose land we ended up on. Couldn't recommend them more, it was brilliant.
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa B
7 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
Thank you for a truly wonderful and unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived we were given the most professional care and attention. The pilot made us all feel extremely relaxed and was able to answer everyone’s queries before we started our flight. The whole afternoon was incredibly special. Thank you Bristol Balloons.
Written 23 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the review and to share your experience. We are so pleased you enjoyed your time with us.
Written 17 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
H C
4 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
7 of our adult family members had a great flight with Bristol Balloons this morning to celebrate a big birthday.
Colin (the pilot), Nick, Moira & Caroline were all very friendly & professional and ensured we had a great time.
I'd highly recommend Bristol Balloons to everyone.
Colin (the pilot), Nick, Moira & Caroline were all very friendly & professional and ensured we had a great time.
I'd highly recommend Bristol Balloons to everyone.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas C
4 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
The time table does not meet with expectation went out for 6pm flight , waited and waited only to be told it was at 9pm. Not advertised any where timetable seems erratic in the end missed the balloons and wasted a whole lot of money completely unbelievable.Recommebdation another company should organise this.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona
5 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
This experience was on my bucket list and it way excelled my expectations! Visiting my home country from Canada, and wanting to fly in a balloon for decades, I felt my dreams had come true! The whole experience from safety, organization and the crew members were incredible and everyone was on top of covid precautions. The whole flight was made even more amazing flying over Bath with my Dad and my Sister, where we would frequently visit as children. The take off, flight and landing were exciting and something I shall never ever forget. Totally recommend Bristol Balloons for safety, fun and an all round incredible experience!
Written 4 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That is amazing and to travel all the way from Canada too. We are so pleased this brought back special memories and made new ones for you. We are very proud we achieved this for you.
Written 17 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sf2222
17 contributions
Purchased vouchers for balloon fiesta. No choice but to buy non-refundable. Flight was cancelled. Have tried to rebook numerous times but have been cancelled. Not only is this disheartening. You simply cannot plan around it as you are only given a few hours notice.
I am sure that for those who are fortunate to get to fly it is something to behold however if you don't and you have a life, it is extremely difficult to find a slot convenient for you. The t&c's are unfair and you are basically relying on luck. Not only this if you don't fly in a year you lose your money and you cannot use at next balloon fiesta. £300 down the pan.
It is a CON. Unless you don't mind losing a lot of money and have lots of free time to wait for weather that is no stronger than a fart, Do not bother. By them time you get to fly you will be fed up. And I have written to Nic Amor the director who likes to sit on your money whilst you get nothing in return. I hope this makes all people with more sense than money to reconsider before booking. You have been warned.
I am sure that for those who are fortunate to get to fly it is something to behold however if you don't and you have a life, it is extremely difficult to find a slot convenient for you. The t&c's are unfair and you are basically relying on luck. Not only this if you don't fly in a year you lose your money and you cannot use at next balloon fiesta. £300 down the pan.
It is a CON. Unless you don't mind losing a lot of money and have lots of free time to wait for weather that is no stronger than a fart, Do not bother. By them time you get to fly you will be fed up. And I have written to Nic Amor the director who likes to sit on your money whilst you get nothing in return. I hope this makes all people with more sense than money to reconsider before booking. You have been warned.
Written 16 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr_o_uk
1 contribution
Apr 2013
When you purchase a trip from the Ballooning Network Ltd (which encompasses Bristol Balloons and Bath Balloons), you are buying a voucher. This voucher comes with terms and conditions.
What they do make clear when you buy it is that there is an expiry date (12 months). What they don't make clear is as follows:
*that they only fly for 8 of these months (so only 34 out of the 52 weekends).
*how far in advance you have to book to compete for the spaces available.
*how regularly the flights are cancelled 'due to weather'.
*how it will ruin each weekend that you book and its cancelled, as you travel/wait around and only find out a few hours before that its been cancelled.
*that when your voucher has expired, you have to pay another 50% on top to extend your vouchers, or just lose your money altogether.
Our vouchers have now expired even though we tried to book and were 'weathered off'. At present, I have paid them a lot of money and had nothing in return except for a few wasted weekends. Their attitude on this is that the weather isn't their problem, and they have bills to pay. Me too.
I know you cannot predict the weather, but if you cannot afford to risk the money, if you only have selected weekends that you can fly or if you cannot plan your weekends well in advance, then don't waste your money. You have the potential to lose it.
Bring back the old fashioned method of handing over money at the time of, and in return for, a product or service! I will avoid buying vouchers for anything in future.
What they do make clear when you buy it is that there is an expiry date (12 months). What they don't make clear is as follows:
*that they only fly for 8 of these months (so only 34 out of the 52 weekends).
*how far in advance you have to book to compete for the spaces available.
*how regularly the flights are cancelled 'due to weather'.
*how it will ruin each weekend that you book and its cancelled, as you travel/wait around and only find out a few hours before that its been cancelled.
*that when your voucher has expired, you have to pay another 50% on top to extend your vouchers, or just lose your money altogether.
Our vouchers have now expired even though we tried to book and were 'weathered off'. At present, I have paid them a lot of money and had nothing in return except for a few wasted weekends. Their attitude on this is that the weather isn't their problem, and they have bills to pay. Me too.
I know you cannot predict the weather, but if you cannot afford to risk the money, if you only have selected weekends that you can fly or if you cannot plan your weekends well in advance, then don't waste your money. You have the potential to lose it.
Bring back the old fashioned method of handing over money at the time of, and in return for, a product or service! I will avoid buying vouchers for anything in future.
Written 29 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review 'Mr O', I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the points you raise
You mention that our Vouchers come with Terms & Conditions , this will be the case with many services, especially those of a buy now participate later nature. Our packs come with a 'Booking & Meeting Arrangements' document in which we try to be open and honest explaining as much information as we can.
I hope the comments below answer your queries and concerns -
-Our season for flying is clearly stated in paragraphs 4 and 6 of our Terms and at the top of page 1 of the document.
- Flight bookings can be made online or via our office by phone. Given that voucher holders can book on line we are never sure how many basket spaces we have available on any given day until an enquiry is made.
- Regretfully we can't control the weather. We cannot make a reliable statement about "how regularly" flights are cancelled ?. If we tried, we would soon be accused of being wrong. There simply is no 'average' when it comes to the recent British weather. Our aim is to fly as often as possible, however, passenger safety is of paramount importance.
- Your comments regarding 'ruined weekends' , I can't really answer this one . Where you live and where you chose to book a balloon flight is your choice, it does mention in the B&MA that it may take several attempts to fly.
- In paragraph 4 of our Terms it states that the vouchers are valid for 12 months and paragraph 7 notes that if you wish to extend them, an additional fee is payable. It would not be proper for me to discuss the exact sequence of bookings and cancellations in a public forum. Regretfully, those unlucky with the weather during the validity period and where flight cancelled extension periods expire do have to pay to extend. We have costs e.g. balloon maintenance, fuel, insurance etc to operate, The extension fee goes towards our bills and costs of company operation.
- You mentioned your vouchers have expired, I'm assuming here this includes the weather cancelled extensions?Regretfully you are one of a small minority falling into this category. Sorry that you feel you have had nothing in return, I can assure you our primary goal is to take you on a hot air ballooning ride. During periods of adverse weather we do not get refunds from our suppliers and still have to pay staff. We have a legal obligation to stay solvent so as we can provide the service our clients have paid for.
- Yes, perhaps life was simpler when it used to be "cash on delivery", however, the world seems to have moved on from that and these days you cannot operate a weather dependent or many other businesses on this basis .
Please 'Mr O' if you would like me to review your booking records let me know your voucher number via the contact us page on our website.
Nic
MD
Bristol Balloons
Written 13 May 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
swan17
Coventry UK138 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
My husband bought us vouchers for a champagne flight for my 50th birthday. We were staying in the Cotswolds for my birthday so a flight from Bath was planned & after travelling to the launch site & waiting some time, it was decided that the weather was turning & we were unable to fly. Very disappointing but we accepted it & planned a second attempt. The problem now was that we live in the Midlands & were having to travel some distance to any of the launch sites. We have had FIVE attempts at flying - each time travelling at least part way to the site as the time between their recorded message going live & the travelling distance from home was not long enough. We have also wasted annual leave. On some occasions we have been surprised at the decision not to fly & wonder how many of their scheduled flights actually get off the ground?
So now we have lost our money & my 50th birthday "treat"! Very disappointing & as another reviewer said, thay are very happy to sit on your money, with no sympathy for your circumstances.
I'm sure if you actually make in into the air it is amazing - sadly I won't be finding out!
So now we have lost our money & my 50th birthday "treat"! Very disappointing & as another reviewer said, thay are very happy to sit on your money, with no sympathy for your circumstances.
I'm sure if you actually make in into the air it is amazing - sadly I won't be finding out!
Written 11 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John R
Douglas, Isle Of Man3 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
Received the vouchers as a gift due to my sisters flight being cancelled last march, tried to extend in January was told to write in! no reply for three and a half months had to chase.... then hit with a huge extension fee! It took the man three months to write back as he was confused by the fact we live in the Isle Of Man?????? the clue is in the address china......
The t&c's are well stacked
The vouchers are valid for 12 months but the balloons only fly for 8 months of the year!!!! so the voucher is surely only valid for 8 months....
Fed up with it now anyway i wouldn't go if i was paid by this company....
Going to let my lawyer deal with it from here on in, Have a firm on a retainer might as well let them out of the box...
Rubbish customer service... Rubbish company... Hope the balloon get a puncture.
The t&c's are well stacked
The vouchers are valid for 12 months but the balloons only fly for 8 months of the year!!!! so the voucher is surely only valid for 8 months....
Fed up with it now anyway i wouldn't go if i was paid by this company....
Going to let my lawyer deal with it from here on in, Have a firm on a retainer might as well let them out of the box...
Rubbish customer service... Rubbish company... Hope the balloon get a puncture.
Written 12 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven M
Bristol, UK3 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Horrendous company, with an incredibly rude director. Unfortunately we never got to do the hot air ballon ride due to repeated cancellations (7 in total). When I discussed this with the director to ask if we could extend our voucher, I managed to learn that out of approx 600 booked flights, only approx 70 flew. They don't give you this information when you book. It basically means that it is very unlikely that you will ever be able to do the balloon flight, and then they take your money for the privilege. When I asked if I could pay to upgrade my voucher to a refundable for a further year, the director told me no (in a sarcastic and rude manner). Save your money, either book refundable or book elsewhere!
Written 17 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your comments, we are really sorry that our service from last year did not live up to your expectations, repeated cancelations obviously disappoint and you had more than many. Your calculation seems to infer that only a small percentage of passengers ever get flown, just not true. Granted that some passengers may have to try more than once and yes in your case the number of attempts was high, however the vast majority enjoy a successful and memorable experience with us. You will recall that with each cancelation we extend the validity of the voucher to hopefully to give more leeway for booking subsequent flights.
Yes, we do offer refundable vouchers and encourage prospective purchasers to check the terms and conditions of all our products when they purchase. We apologise that you found the response to your enquiry about this rude and unprofessional, this was certainly not intentional and again we are sorry that you perceived it in this way.
Written 20 July 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello I weigh around 23 stone and I'm 5ft 9 would I have any difficulty getting into the basket is there any holes or steps to make it easier to climb into? Thanks
Written 25 June 2018
There are holes in the basket to get in so as long as you are relatively able to ‚cock your leg over‘ you should be ok.
Written 13 July 2018
How much is a balloon ride for between 5-6 people?
Written 22 January 2017
It is really a question of when you wish to fly, the big balloon flying season is 1st March to 31st October. Vouchers valid any day am or pm are currently £135, weekday only Bristol/Bath £125 (non refundable if flight cancelled you would need to rebook).
If coming from afar where there would be little or no chance of rebooking if flight is cancelled due to adverse weather would suggest Bristol Balloons "refundable voucher" for £170, please see the website for options, 'prices and Buy' tag top right of home page.
If you want further information sugges tusing the 'contact' tag next to the 'prices & buy'. Hope this answers your query, if not please do get in touch.
Written 23 January 2017
Claud1a_1
Bristol, United Kingdom
Hi bristol Balloons.
My brother is coming to the UK for the first time at the end of May 2016. As i'm studying here, I want to show him my adopted city, so we will be in sightseeing 28th-29th May before venturing elsewhere in the South-West. How much would a tour be it for the two of us?
Thanks C xx
Written 2 May 2016
Thanks for the question, I would suggest you look on our website at the 'flight availability, (early morning or early evening, 'shared basket') pick a date then look at the voucher options. The 'classic' voucher is our most popular, although for those only visitng Bristol once or who would find it difficult to rebook the 'refundable voucher' may be the best alternative. We suggest you read the details of both vouchers and if you have any more questions please phone or e-mail.
Best regards from all at Bristol Balloons.
Written 3 May 2016
sakshi15jain
Bristol, United Kingdom
Will it be possible to get it done on 2nd May, 2016?
Written 4 April 2016
Ballooning is a weather dependant activity, trying to predict stable and calm weather 24hrs in advance is very difficult, let alone a few weeks in advance. We all hope bank holidays will be fine, but what is good on the ground can be totally different at 1000ft, safety is always the pilots priority. Usually on Saturday mornings 10am-noon there is somebody in the office so perhaps if weather looking 'iffy' give them a call. hope this helps and hope you have a great flight.
Written 6 April 2016
We are going to visit Bristol in September between 17th and 21st.Will there be any flights and how much will it cost for me and my husband,please?Thanks
Written 11 July 2015
Many thanks for your question, we schedule flight usually 4 to 5 weeks in advance right up until 31st October, so during the period of your visit should have several flighrs to choose from, early morning or late afternoon.
As you are visiting from overseas our 'refundable' vouchers may be of interest to you, as you are only here for a short period. Please use the 'contact us' button on our website, if you give us your e-mail address we can send you the direct web-link with more detailed information of flight vouchers that will suit your requirements.
Best Regards from Bristol Balloons.
Written 12 July 2015
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