British School of Ballooning
British School of Ballooning
British School of Ballooning
4
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
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British School of Ballooning
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4.0
55 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
6
Average
2
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Matthew C
1 contribution
Feb 2023
Atrocious customer service.
I paid a small fortune for a Private Flight. Months later I received an email informing me the booking terms had changed (purely to suit them, definitely not to suit customers) and that if I wanted a refund they would deduct 30% from the total.
I asked for a full refund, which I was entitled to as they had broken the Terms & Conditions of the contract, but they refused. Several emails & letters back & forth they continued to refuse a full refund and very condescendingly kept telling me to seek legal advice (like I don’t already know my rights!?).
I had booked the flight using a credit card which provides for additional protection against rogue traders, so I was able to apply for a Charge Back and just today I have received a full refund. I would otherwise have made a claim through the County Courts instead, which takes a little longer but is a very simple process.
I paid a small fortune for a Private Flight. Months later I received an email informing me the booking terms had changed (purely to suit them, definitely not to suit customers) and that if I wanted a refund they would deduct 30% from the total.
I asked for a full refund, which I was entitled to as they had broken the Terms & Conditions of the contract, but they refused. Several emails & letters back & forth they continued to refuse a full refund and very condescendingly kept telling me to seek legal advice (like I don’t already know my rights!?).
I had booked the flight using a credit card which provides for additional protection against rogue traders, so I was able to apply for a Charge Back and just today I have received a full refund. I would otherwise have made a claim through the County Courts instead, which takes a little longer but is a very simple process.
Written 6 February 2023
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.
Denise A
Barnham, UK54 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Fabulous experience, a hot air balloon ride has been on my bucket list for a very long time and in 2021 my husband bought me a voucher for my birthday. Our flight was fabulous from unpacking the balloon to drop off. We'll organised, felt very safe.
Written 7 November 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.
BrightonBelles
Brighton, UK178 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
My wife, Sue, organised a flight for us with the British School of Ballooning for my 60th birthday present. It was a fabulous experience that I would highly recommend. We flew from Hellingly to just the other side of Uckfield, about an hour in the air with an excellent pilot called Gavin. We got to help with the launch and the pack down. The views were stunning, from across to the coast and the sea beyond, the Downs, the fields and forests, lakes, wind farms, solar farms and then Uckfield with an allotment on the outskirts, before a precise and perfect landing on a private air strip, rounded off by a glass of fizz after the pack-down and transport back to our car at the launch site. A sublime and delightful flight with a great crew and charming fellow passengers.
Written 18 July 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.
Stuart H
2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Brilliant experience start to finish. Although we had a couple of rebookings because weather conditions weren't right, it was certainly worth waiting for. Ian our pilot was brilliant, keeping in touch through the delayed attempts and explaining the reasons why. When it came to the successfull launch Ian and his wife Laura were both professional and friendly, putting us at ease and making us feel part of the team. We really enjoyed providing a bit of help to prepare and pack up afterwards but obviously the flight itself was the highlight. Gliding effortlessly over the over the tree tops with stunning views of the South downs and the Isle of Wight in the distance. An hours flying time went past in a flash. Just a perfect evening. Thank you Ian and Laura.
Written 18 July 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.
carnetia
Brighton, UK1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Couples
Gavin has more than 12 years of experience and it shows. Great fun being involved in set up and putting away. A very smooth take off and landing.
Written 18 July 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.
legges2016
Chichester, UK8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Just had a wonderful balloon flight today, 5.30am,8th July, 22, from Petworth, with our pilot, Richard. Had to reschedule 4 times, because of the weather but talking with Richard, they are as frustrated by it as we were, another days flying lost for them.
Picture postcard morning, helping prepare and pack away the balloon was all part of the fun.
Unbelievably tranquil take of and flight, and a smooth landing, one bump and then a gentle drag.
Good time for wildlife spotting, 9 roe deer, 1 fox and 1 buzzard. It was odd looking down on a buzzard in flight !
A truly memorable experience.
Picture postcard morning, helping prepare and pack away the balloon was all part of the fun.
Unbelievably tranquil take of and flight, and a smooth landing, one bump and then a gentle drag.
Good time for wildlife spotting, 9 roe deer, 1 fox and 1 buzzard. It was odd looking down on a buzzard in flight !
A truly memorable experience.
Written 8 July 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.
Penciltroll
Brighton37 contributions
Jun 2022
Booked with no mention anywhere of passengers being required to wear a mask. received confirmation and a strongly worded email saying mask wearing would be enforced at all times. First I'd heard of it.
I replied back as I was exempt and to confirm that was ok.
Apparently not! I would be required to send and bring evidence and a certificate proving my exemption (from where exactly?) and to wear a yellow star/lanyard throughout the journey.
No thank you. A refund was requested and duly given.
Avoid this backwards company who demand private medical information when they have no right to it, when it's none of their business, and want to keep us all living in terror.
Delighted we get to spend our £330 elsewhere now.
I replied back as I was exempt and to confirm that was ok.
Apparently not! I would be required to send and bring evidence and a certificate proving my exemption (from where exactly?) and to wear a yellow star/lanyard throughout the journey.
No thank you. A refund was requested and duly given.
Avoid this backwards company who demand private medical information when they have no right to it, when it's none of their business, and want to keep us all living in terror.
Delighted we get to spend our £330 elsewhere now.
Written 30 June 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.
Susie B
London, UK3 contributions
Apr 2022
Brilliant flight from a great location. Strongly recommend going from Ashdown Park Hotel. Can always have an afternoon tea before departing or a nice glass of champagne or cocktail.
Really enjoyed the preparation prior to take off and after landing. All adds to the experience.
Having been apprehensive beforehand I found the whole experience amazing.
Our pilot Gavin was informative and experienced. Pointing out points of interest and happy to answer questions.
An amazing experience, peaceful and serene floating over the Sussex countryside.
Can’t wait to do it again.
Really enjoyed the preparation prior to take off and after landing. All adds to the experience.
Having been apprehensive beforehand I found the whole experience amazing.
Our pilot Gavin was informative and experienced. Pointing out points of interest and happy to answer questions.
An amazing experience, peaceful and serene floating over the Sussex countryside.
Can’t wait to do it again.
Written 27 April 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.
Lclowes86
Brighton, UK12 contributions
Apr 2022
Amazing balloon flight from Hickstead. Very well organised great helping set-up the balloon and take down. Beautiful balloon flight over Sussex amazing views and a great Pilot (Gavin). Lovely glass of champagne to celebrate at the end. Thank you for this amazing experience.
Written 18 April 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.
MetalPigeon
London, UK117 contributions
Oct 2021
The balloon part of the experience was great. We had fun inflating the balloon and the drifting across Kent. We then had fun packing up the balloon. Our pilot Gavin was great - really knew his stuff and welcoming. Unfortunately we then had to stand around for 90 mins waiting for the minibus. According to our hosts this was because they have to "outsource" this aspect of the trip. It became clear that they have a contract with a company but given the on/off nature of ballooning the minibus company book themselves with other jobs. Such as shame as took the gloss off what had been a great experience.
Written 1 November 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.
luv2holidayinthesun
England, UK895 contributions
Can you use your mobile phone to take pictures as long as it is in flight mode ?
AdventureBalloons
Hook, UK
Hello, yes you can.
russacton
Portsmouth, UK6 contributions
Do you fly from the launch site near the west meon hut,, Hampshire?
CMARainman
Burgess Hill, UK9 contributions
We flew from the Hickstead show ground site.