But the view they search for is only half the story. The real Fiesta isn’t on the ground looking up — it’s in the sky, floating inside the picture. One flight puts you there.

Bristol is the birthplace of European ballooning, and for more than forty years the International Balloon Fiesta has been the city’s signature. Flying here isn’t just another ride — it’s the true version of the experience everyone else only captures from the grass.

Ballooning at the Fiesta is totally exhilarating and zen. One moment you’re in the middle of a field with around 100 balloons — burners roaring, envelopes thrashing side to side, thousands of people everywhere, pure controlled chaos.

The next? Total silence. The roar fades. The ground drifts away.

You’re floating amongst around 100 balloons of every shape and colour — a huge, slow-motion carnival drifting across the sky, and you’re right in the heart of it.

You wave to strangers in the next basket. They wave back. You’re the view everyone came to photograph.

After 45–60 minutes comes the gentle bump of landing in a field you’ll never find again — often with a few other balloons touching down beside you.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta flights are extremely limited and in huge demand. If you’ve ever looked up and thought “one day”, this is that day.

Exciting. Peaceful. Completely unreal.