Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta has come to transcend its blimptastic raison d’etre, drawing families and groups of friends to the magnificent local estate of Ashton Court for a four-day carnival with mass appeal. For most, the experience of watching hundreds of hot-air balloons drifting silently across the summer skies is magic enough, but those with more down-to-earth desires should be satisfied by motorbike stunts, racing camels, live music and a fabulous French food market. This year marks the fiesta’s 30th birthday – a perfect excuse for ever more strangely shaped balloons. Perhaps a light bulb, or a Liquorice Allsort (the sight of a huge, buoyant Bertie Bassett overhead is a marvellous thing). Within three decades, the event has evolved from two dozen balloons in a field to become a much-loved West Country institution, with hundreds of flying machines and hundreds of thousands of gawping spectators. Every year is as full of wonder as the last, perhaps because nothing can prepare you for the surreal vision of a sky filled with floating, multicoloured, flame-filled balls of silk. Go and sample this most innocent of pleasures – even doubters will find themselves transfixed.

Highlights

The early-morning mass hot-air balloon launches (at 06h and 18h every day) are surreal and beautiful – the one at dawn is especially awe-inspiring and worth getting up for. If you’re not an early bird, don’t fret – the 'night glows' (on Thursday and Saturday at 21h30) are equally spectacular. These involve enthusiasts positioned in tethered balloons burning, flickering and flashing their fires in time to music – it’s strange and rather wonderful.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Highlight Image

In The Know

Head Count

Around half a million heads are tilted towards the skies here over the four days.

Meeting Point

The main Fiesta area at the top end of the arena is the safest bet. Within the 'heaven' interactive area, we tend to meet up in front of the Punch and Judy show....

Best View

You can see the spectacle from anywhere in the grounds, obviously, but if you really want to get into the spirit of things, take a look at things from up in a balloon - see below for details of how to organise it.

Packing Tips

Take items to cope with unpredictable weather – both kagoules and suncream are likely to get regular use.

Escape

Get up, up and away in a Montgolfier yourself, for a true taste of what it’s all about. Bailey Balloons (01275 375300) and Bristol Balloons (0117 963 7858) can both organise flights. Make sure you book well in advance.

Dos and don'ts

• Enjoy the kitschness of the Special Shapes Rodeo on Thursday night – think giant bagpipes and big bananas and you get the idea.
• Don’t bring portable barbecues: the park has a problem with these every year, and the BBQ police will be on your case if you light up.
• Dress for a stroll in the country rather than a night on the town.
• Go and see Clifton Suspension Bridge, especially if you haven’t before – the grade I-listed feat of engineering is as magnificent as all those Isambard Kingdom Brunel fans say it is.

Need To Know

Children

If ever there was a family-friendly event, this is it. There’s a fairground, bouncy castles, a paintball alley, camel racing, and ‘Heaven’, the interactive ‘festival within a festival’, which includes clowns, animals and a Punch and Judy show.

Parking

There are two main car parks – at Longwood Lane and at Kennel Lodge – both of which charge £8 a vehicle a day.

Disability Access

Subsidised electric scooters (at a cost of £3 for Blue Badge holders) are available from the Kennel Lodge disabled carpark. Advance booking is strongly recommended. Contact Shopmobility on 01202 661770 for details.

Food & Drink

You’ll find all the usual festival food stalls here, with plenty of choice: Thai, Indian and sushi, hotdogs, burgers, salads. There are also bars serving Pimm’s, as well as beer and wine. Many opt to take a picnic and eat in ‘Heaven’, the relaxed area within the festival. If you’d like to sit down and dine, head into town after the fun’s over and have a meal at the excellent (and eco-friendly) Bordeaux Quay, in a huge converted warehouse on the harbourside. It also has a deli and a long, light-filled bar (0117 943 1200; www.bordeaux-quay.co.uk).

Sleep

The Hotel du Vin Bristol, a fabulous refurb of an 18th-century sugar warehouse, is our favourite. There’s an excellent restaurant and – of course – some very fine wines. For more details and to book, see www.mrandmrssmith.com or ring 0845 034 0701.

VIP

Not applicable at this event.