Hot Air Balloon Rides Over Somerset
Ballooning in Somerset is a great way to appreciate the wonderful diversity that the county has to offer. Cheese and cider are just two of the products from this lush landscape characterised by dairy farms and orchards. Enjoy a hot air balloon flight anywhere from the Wetlands of the Somerset Levels famous for its bird life and coastal views, to the Mendip Hills and the dramatic limestone of Cheddar Gorge. The county includes the cathedral city of Wells and the old market town of Street, once famous for sheepskin products and the home of Clarke's Shoes but now best known for the retail park of
The county town of Taunton nestles in the Vale of Taunton Deane among the Blackdown, Brendon and Quantock Hills, Somerset Levels and Moors and is close to the market towns of Wellington and Wiveliscombe, gateway to the wilderness of Exmoor National Park. Vivary Park is the home of the annual Taunton Flower Show and Taunton Castle dates back to 710AD in the time of the Anglo Saxons. The town also houses Somerset County Cricket Club's ground.
You can take local balloon flights around here with Virgin Balloon Flights, who from both Glastonbury and Taunton.
Glastonbury is home of the music festival for just a few days each year but for the rest of the year provides a mystical destination steeped in history and folklore. Visible from a distance on many balloon flights in the county is Glastonbury Tor as it rises above lush pasture land. Glastonbury Abbey in its parkland setting gives this market town a striking identity.
Yeovil is probably best known as the base of the UK manufacturer Westland Helicopters - as flown by Prince William.
Here are some things to do in Somerset, UK:
Visit Glastonbury Tor: This historic hill offers a chance to learn about the history of the area and to see the remains of the church and other structures at the top.
Visit Cheddar Gorge: This natural gorge offers a chance to enjoy the nature and to see a variety of plants and wildlife.
Visit Wells Cathedral: This historic cathedral offers a chance to learn about the history of the cathedral and to see the cathedral's architecture and decorations.
Visit the Roman Baths: This historic site offers a chance to learn about Roman history and to see the remains of the Roman baths.
Visit the Clarks Village: This shopping village offers a chance to see a variety of shops and products.
Visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum: This museum offers a chance to learn about the history of the Fleet Air Arm and to see a variety of aircraft and artifacts.
Visit the Wookey Hole Caves: This cave system offers a chance to explore the caves and to see a variety of rock formations.
Visit the Glastonbury Festival: This annual music festival offers a chance to enjoy live music and other performances.
Visit the West Somerset Railway: This railway offers a chance to take a ride on a steam train and to learn about the history of the railway.
Visit the Exmoor National Park: This national park offers a chance to enjoy the nature and to see a variety of plants and wildlife.