Since the dawn of time, humans have yearned for a connection with the sky. Nowhere else is this more evident than in the city of Salisbury and its surrounding area. In the green hills of south Wiltshire sits one of the world’s earliest monuments that was built by people to honour and understand the heavens: Stonehenge. Just outside the current city, Old Sarum is the ruined site of a Roman and mediaeval town which had a cathedral that boasted a tall tower to connect the inhabitants to God. But this tower was eclipsed by its own Gothic cathedral, which has a spire that penetrates even further into the heavens. But you can overtake all of these efforts, and enjoy fantastic aerial views of them and more, by taking a ride in a hot air balloon.

As lighter than air aircraft, they are one of the simplest flying machines around. But it’s their simplicity that makes them a wonderful option for a pleasure flight or a sightseeing tour. So long as you’re not trying to get to a particular destination against the clock, there’s nothing better than the quiet and graceful passage of a hot air balloon through the air. And in a place like this, that’s so imbued with history, you won’t find such a connection with the landscape any other way. The sensations, the panoramas and the memories that you take away with you make these experiences well worth the money.

Meeting points?

It’s not always possible for hot air balloons to launch in the city itself, but there are other areas in the local area which work as fantastic launch sites. One of the most common is the Larmer Tree Gardens in Tollard Royal, a beautiful park of sculpted gardens and interesting buildings that has been in constant use for over a thousand years. You’ll watch the tall trees turn into mushrooms below you as you gracefully ascend into the sky from the lawns.

Larmer Tree is to the southeast of the city. An alternative meeting point is found to the southwest is an airfield in the village of Henstridge. The name comes from the Old English for Ridge of the Stallions, which is enough to get your heart galloping before you even step into the basket.

Where are the best places to go ballooning in Salisbury?

• Salisbury Cathedral: Set in a wide, green park and ringed by cloisters, the huge body of the cathedral dominates the skyline of the city. The spire, which rises to 123 metres above the ground, is the tallest structure on any religious building in the British Isles. And the city is beautiful as well. Although it has fewer than fifty thousand inhabitants, the streets are bustling and 5 rivers - the Nadder, Ebble, Wylye, Bourne and Avon - flow through it.

• Old Sarum: This was the site of the original settlement of Salisbury. The reasons for the abandonment of the town, in favour of the new city are not entirely clear, but what’s obvious from the basket is that the people of Old Sarum didn’t leave much behind when they upped sticks and left. The raised fortified site remains impressive, and the foundations of the buildings, though the structures themselves are no longer standing, are enough to make the imagination run wild.

• Stonehenge: Older than the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Parthenon of Athens and the Great Wall of China, Stonehenge is one of the most ancient, and most wondrous, wonders of the world. Dating back over 5,000 years, the stone circle is shrouded in mystery, but it’s clear that it was designed by a sophisticated society to correspond to the movements of the sun, the moon and the stars. The tourists who visit the Stonehenge on foot are kept at a safe distance from the stones, and don’t get anything like the views which you can enjoy if you contemplate it from the air.

• Cranborne Chase and Salisbury Plain: Wiltshire has one of the lowest population densities of any county in England, and the area around is characterised by the grassy, open landscapes of Cranborne Chase and Salisbury Plain. The lack of signs of human habitation is enough to bring you a moment of peace on your flight, and also means that the air is clean and free from pollution, perfect for filling your lungs with fresh air and your vision with crisp, clear panoramas.

What are the options for organising a trip?

The most common length of a hot air balloon flight in the skies above Salisbury is 1 hour, which is enough time to travel a good distance, and let your eyes wander even further. But the time of day is also key. Wind conditions are best at sunrise and sunset, and it just so happens that this is when the views from the basket will be at their most breathtaking. Watch the spire of the Cathedral or the standing stones of Stonehenge cast long shadows as the sun hangs low in the sky, and observe how the colours change in the sky - it’s too dreamy.

And if you want to make this journey extra special, end it in the skies with a glass of champagne. You can toast the start of a beautiful new day, or celebrate a special occasion in style.

Requirements to do this activity

What could be more romantic than taking your beloved on a trip through the heavens in a hot air balloon to celebrate an engagement, anniversary, or other significant date? There are rides for two that make this a reality. Or take a larger group with you - a standard basket can comfortably hold up to 5 people.

This can be a fantastic family outing too, because you can bring children as young as 6 years old with you. The upper age limit is up to you! Pilots in the area have taken passengers of 100 years old for a flight in their balloons, so multi generational groups are more than welcome.

If you like the sound of that, just make a reservation and we’ll get you flying.