Launch site · Somerset
Hot air balloon rides over Wells
England’s smallest city and its great cathedral, seen from the sky.
Wells is England’s smallest city, and from a balloon you can take in the whole of it at once – the cathedral’s great west front, the moated Bishop’s Palace, the market place and the streets around them, all set against the slopes of the Mendips.
We launch from the rugby practice pitches at Haybridge, on the western edge of the city. Depending on the wind, flights may pass over the city, follow the Mendip edge towards Wookey Hole and Ebbor Gorge, or head out over the Levels towards Glastonbury Tor.
What you’ll see from Wells
- Wells Cathedral – The west front, cloisters and Vicars’ Close
- The Bishop’s Palace – Its moat, walls and gardens
- The Mendip Hills – Wookey Hole and Ebbor Gorge along the hillside
- Glastonbury Tor – Just a few miles to the south
Balloons fly with the wind, so no two flights follow the same path – your pilot will point out the landmarks as you go.
Where we meet
The Wells launch site
Wells Rugby Club practice pitches
At Haybridge, on the western edge of the city.
///flasks.junction.unscathedWe fly around sunrise and in the evening a few hours before sunset, when the air is calm. We’ll text you the exact meeting time and confirm the weather the day before. Allow three to four hours for the whole experience.
Questions
Flying from Wells
Where do Wells flights take off?
From the rugby practice pitches at Haybridge, on the western edge of Wells. The What3Words reference is ///flasks.junction.unscathed.
Will we see the cathedral?
Yes – the launch site is only a mile or so from the cathedral, so it’s in view at the start of almost every flight.
More answers on our FAQs page. Making a day of it? See where to eat and stay near our launch sites.
Reviews
What our customers say
“We had an absolutely fantastic afternoon. The balloon flight exceeded our expectations and we would definitely recommend First flight. Nick and his team were great, informative and very friendly.”
“An Amazing Experience - NOT TO BE MISSED - and I'm not keen on heights! Great prior communication. Clarity of set up, flight and landing instructions were hugely reassuring. Nick & the team are clearly hugely experienced and we were all put at ease with their friendly engaging style.”
“A perfect balloon experience A beautiful experience flying over the city of Bath. There was nothing that could make it better.A professional and informative pilot who turned the basket during the flight to ensure everyone had the same opportunity to see the iconic sights of Bath. Simply a perfect experience which I would do again in a heart beat. Excellent communication before the flight”
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