Hot Air Balloon Flights

OK, so these days nearly everyone can get an overhead view of the countryside (and other people’s homes) via satellite images like Google maps. But nothing compares to the thrill of being able to float almost silently above a diverse landscape looking down on a Legoland-type scene, with your direction controlled by a hot air balloon pilot instead of a computer mouse.

You can book a balloon trip in some of the loveliest parts of the UK. But remember that some of the operators use baskets holding anything up to 30 people, so if you want something more intimate, check out the numbers carried, or go for one of the Uber firms specialising in romantic or personalised journeys just for two. Of course, Champagne before or during your flight is almost as obligatory as strawberries at Wimbledon!

Be warned, though. Try ballooning as a day’s activity in the UK and you could be hooked. Next time you’ll be combining it with a safari holiday to get a vulture’s eye view of big game; or even experiencing an aerial winter wonderland as part of a skiing trip. For the really serious enthusiast, you could always train as a pilot and buy your own.