Hot Air Balloon Rides Wales 4 prices and offers 2025

Did you know that if all the inhabitants of Wales were spread out evenly, each would have a piece of land about the size of a football pitch to themselves? Of course, the population isn’t arranged in such a way, and the majority of the people live in the cities on the south coast. The result is that huge parts of the country enjoy a level of peace and quiet that’s hard to find in other parts of the British Isles. And combined with beautiful scenery, natural and manmade landmarks and high air quality, this makes for perfect hot air balloon rides.

Although part of the United Kingdom, Wales has a strong national identity. Signs of this, as well as relics from the time it was an independent nation, can be seen throughout the spectacular landscape, on the banks of rivers, nestled among mountains and valleys, or glimpsed below the treetops of ancient forests. The most rewarding aircraft that can take you on a tour of this country are graceful hot air balloons, characterised by their simplicity and silence. If you’re looking for a new perspective, if you want to celebrate a special occasion in style, or if you’re after a sightseeing tour with a difference, come and enjoy the scenery and serenity of a hot air balloon flight here.

Meeting points

There are two launch sites for commercial flights.

- The first serves the south of the country, perfect for people from Cardiff and Swansea, but also parts of southwest England like Bristol. It’s in the village of Llanarth, outside Raglan, in Monmouthshire, a charming part of the country near the border with England, where cattle graze in fields between unspoilt mediaeval towns.

- If you’re in North, or even in the cities of the North of England like Manchester or Liverpool, your closest meeting point for this experience is Erddig Hall, near Wrexham. This National Trust Property is a fine example of a country mansion, and it sits in 1,200 acres of landscaped parkland, complete with ornamental gardens and even the remains of a Norman castle. Balloons take off from the ground, and their occupants can enjoy the estate from above, before drifting away on the wind.

What can you see from the basket during a hot air balloon ride in Wales?

The first thing to say is that there is no fixed itinerary. Apart from the launch site, the rest of the journey depends on the wind. But that’s no need to worry, because in such a beautiful country, there are stunning sights in all directions.

• The Welsh Borders: Whether you’re in the north or the south of the country, the launch site for your experience will be enough to the border with England that a westerly wind will take you over this ancient frontier. The border is noticeable by a number of historical and geographical features. In the south, the Wye Valley is a natural division between the two countries, with both the river and steep sides, occasionally riding up into canyon walls, separating one from the other. Running the length of the border are signs of Offa’s Dyke, an ancient barrier built by an Anglo Saxon king to protect his lands from the Welsh.

• The Brecon Beacons: Travelling in the opposite direction from the Raglan meeting point, the basket becomes the best of all viewpoints for enjoying the dramatic scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Several mountainous ranges make up this national park, which covers an area of over 500 square miles, but the most prominent peak when viewed from the east is the Sugar Loaf, often mistaken for a volcano due to its conical shape.

• The Dee Valley: The most significant river in North is the River Dee. It carries the rain water from the peaks of Snowdonia to its mouth at the Wirral Peninsula. As it flows past Wrexham, it’s a lively watercourse that’s a popular destination for kayaking and white water rafting, and there are some jaw dropping engineering feats in the area. Most impressive is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a bridge with 18 arches that carries a canal over the Dee at a height of 40 metres.

• Cheshire Plains: Further downstream, the River Dee crosses the border into Cheshire. Here, the Cheshire Plain is a wide open expanse of land, with the spire of Chester Cathedral behind and the Manchester skyline in the distance.

What is the duration of a ride?

- There are balloon rides in Wales to suit all itineraries. The shortest options include just one hour of airtime. That might not sound like much, but bear in mind that you don’t have to worry about winding country lanes or town centre traffic lights, so you can cover a significant distance in this time.

- But if you want to really get the most of the experience, especially if you’ve travelled from further afield, you should choose a trip that lasts 3 to 4 hours. With more time comes more distance, and you’ll traverse a whole swathe of the Welsh landscape - and maybe some of the English too - on one of these flights. What’s more, the pilot can even let you have a go at controlling it if you’re lucky.

Requirements to do this activity

The age at which most companies provide this service is from 6 years and up. On the other hand, just like with the flight’s duration, it’s you who chooses when it comes to the size of the balloon that you take. If you and your special someone have something special to celebrate, why not do it in the skies on an exclusive trip for two passengers? On the other hand, there’s also the opportunity to share this experience with a bigger group in a larger basket. These can carry up to 16 people, who might be your family and friends, or strangers that you can make friends on the journey, depending on how you organise it.

Whatever the occasion, this experience is guaranteed to make it extra special, so come and fly with us!