If you look up and see a Smurf or a huge daisy floating through the sky it’s a pretty good bet that you’re in Bristol for the annual balloon fiesta. Held over 4 days each August it attracts half a million visitors who flock to see the morning and evening balloon ascents.
We visited on the opening day of the fiesta. I’d provisionally planned to go later on the Sunday but given the wet and windy forecast I decided that might be a foolish decision! The only downside to our early visit was that many of the additional events, weren’t on. On the plus side, the weather was perfect for ballooning.
The fiesta is held at Ashton Court Estate, a couple of miles from the city centre. We walked to the site from Bristol Temple Meads railway station along the dedicated Festival Way. This included a detour to walk under Clifton Suspension Bridge which I’ve only ever seen from afar; it was as impressive as I’d imagined.
I hadn’t realised quite how big an event the Bristol Balloon fiesta is. In addition to the balloons there’s a huge fairground and lots of show stands. These included a kids section with a Lego imagination station, a Little Tikes play area and a Nintendo gaming area. We wandered around these for a while, before heading over to one of the viewing hills for the main event.
The highlight for me was the unveiling of the special shapes; it was good fun trying to guess what the shapes were going to be. The Smurf was a popular shape with the audience although my favourite was the ‘Up’ balloon.
It was quite exciting watching the pilots and support staff getting the balloons ready for lift off. There seemed to be a lot of balloons squeezed into a small area and as the balloons inflated they’d jostle with the ones around them for space.
Moments later a loud siren went off which signalled that the balloons were allowed to take off. The kids were incredibly excited and we had great fun spotting which balloon would take off next. There was a cheer each time a balloon took off with everyone on the ground waving them off.
Some of the balloons gained height quickly and disappeared off over Bristol. A few others took a while to get going, and one in particular looked like it landed in a tree just over the brow of a hill before rising into the sky again. It was an amazing spectacle seeing the balloons heading off, one I hope the kids remember.
We left around 7.30pm which seemed to coincide with thousands of people arriving for the night glow (when the balloons are lit up to music) and fireworks. We hopped straight onto a shuttle bus back to the railway station. I dread to think what the queues would be like later in the evening, I was rather glad that I wouldn’t be finding out.
Our balloon viewing wasn’t quite over…..we spotted ‘Daisy’ from our train window as it had landed in a field a few miles out of Bristol. A perfect ending to one of the highlights of our summer!
wow stunning photos, they used to hold a balloon festival near us, but it stopped about 7 years ago such a shame it was amazing to watch x
Thanks Sarah, that is a shame it stopped.
This is something I really want to go to. It’s on the list for next year!
Yes, I’d definitely recommend it, make sure you check the weather forecast first.
That looks amazing! I love the colours of the balloons. We have a red one that comes over our house every now and again and it stops us all in our tracks. Would love to take the boys to a balloon festival !
We had a really low one over our house a few weeks ago, was convinced it was going to land in the street!
What a fab event – perfect for a family day out! The various balloons look fantastic and it’s great that they also had plenty of other activities for the children to enjoy as well. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona. And even better it was free (well, not the fair)!
What a great thing to see…..Those special shaped one’s are fab! I love the Smurf one! 🙂
Thanks Kim. The Smurf was really popular.
I loved the balloon fiesta when I lived in Bristol and need to take my kids to it. Cannot believe my husband has never been even.
Great review of it, with helpful information, thank you.
Thank you. It was the first time I’d been and I don’t live too far away either!
I always love watching the balloons fly!
Thanks. I do too as they remind me of perfect summer evenings.
We were supposed to go yesterday but the weather is not on our side. I dont think they will let the balloons out in this weather as well. Would’ve been nice! #countrykids
The weather was pretty bad on the Saturday eve and Sunday which was a shame. I hope you do get to go some time!
I adore hot air balloons. They used to have a balloon festival near where I lived as a child. Most years the balloons went the other way but one year they came in our direction and several landed nearby. Great for us but they freaked our horses that were in the field!
Thanks Rosie. I remember being excited watching hot air balloons when I was a kid – great to see them actually landing too.
Wow.. amazing pictures. Looks like you had an awesome day. Balloons are always exciting, it doesn’t change with the age, isn’t it?
#letkidsbekids
Thank you, it was a great day out. You’re right about age not mattering either.
Sounds like such a fun day out and looks like you had perfect weather for the ballooning! Thanks for linking with #letkidsbekids xx
Yes we were lucky with the weather – although visitors later in the weekend weren’t!
What a fantastic event. Balloons never cease to excite my children #letkidsbekids
Thanks Louisa – or adults!
I think you definitely choose the right day for it – didn’t they have to cancel a few things because of the tail end of Bertha? It’s one of those events that I keep meaning to go to – this year it wasn’t very practical but next year maybe?
Thanks – yes the last couple of ascents were cancelled due to the wind and rain which was a shame.
WOW this looks absolutely amazing and so much fun. Although I might be a little scared to do it myself. Love all the photos of the balloons. Looks like a fairytale land. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
Thanks Jenny. I went ballooning in Australia many years ago and really enjoyed it (particularly the champagne breakfast afterwards).
This looking fantastic! Brilliant photos, I would love to see this. I think my favourite would have been the Up balloon too!
Thanks Becky. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t even realise it was the Up balloon until it was pointed out to me. In my defence – I’ve never seen the film.
Wow! I bet that was an amazing sight to see. I’m sure the kids will remember it for years to come
#letkidsbekids
Yes we will. And will hopefully visit it again in future years.