... We finally got to go to the Balloon Fiesta at Bristol this year (2009).
Expecting a high turn out we booked our parking as this made it slightly cheaper, only by £1 but we thought that at least we're guaranteed a space. We drove from Bristol centre to the Balloon Fiesta, using sat nav as ... Read review
This presentation beautifully illustrates the full glory of Europes largest annual balloon ... more
fiesta, an attraction that has become one of the UKs most popular outdoor events, with half a million visitors each year. You will also enjoy a behind-the-scenes insight into what makes the fiesta such a success. Set in the rolling parkland of Bristols Ashton Court Estate, the fiesta includes mass balloon launches, providing a spectacular show for those at the event and also for spectators throughout the area. There is also a wide range of other activities, including daredevil stunts, and fun for all the family in a carnival atmosphere. The history of ballooning in Bristol, which goes as far back as the pioneering days of the late 18th century, is also explored, revealing another dimension to what may appear to be a very modern story. There is also a special report on Cameron Balloons, the worlds largest manufacturer of hot-air balloons, who produced the balloon that completed the first solo round-the-world flight in 2001. The companys founder and Managing Director, Don Cameron, adds insightful comment to the story, and so it is fitting that the presentation should end with a balloon flight piloted by Don himself!
Information: :Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: good day out Disadvantages: toilets, poor PA system and no maps
...to the Balloon Fiesta at Bristol this year (2009).
Expecting a high turn out we booked our parking as this made it slightly cheaper, only by £1 but we thought that at least we're guaranteed a space. We drove from Bristol centre to the Balloon Fiesta, using sat nav as a guide but also following the road signs that had been put out. These signs were useless and we drove for about an hour more than we should, having gone 'round in a big ... ...assigned on the parking ticket.
We finally got there and parked. To say that we'd pre-booked parking it didn't look like we were any where nearer the site than those who hadn't booked, but it did make it slightly faster to get out.
We had arrived at the site at around 4pm. We wondered in and it was really crowded! We started to wonder around the various stalls. Many were selling goods ranging from clothing to food to jewellery ... more
I've wanted to go to a hot air balloon festival for a while with my boyfriend as we used to have one at home when I was younger. We finally got to go to the Balloon Fiesta at Bristol this year (2009).
Expecting a high turn out we booked our parking as this made it slightly cheaper, only by £1 but we thought that at least we're guaranteed a space. We drove from Bristol centre to the Balloon Fiesta, using sat nav as a guide but also following the road signs that had been put out. These signs were useless and we drove for about an hour more than we should, having gone 'round in a big circle trying to get to the entrance we had been assigned on the parking ticket.
We finally got there and parked. To say that we'd pre-booked parking it didn't look like we were any where nearer the site than those who hadn't booked, but it did make it slightly faster to get out.
We had arrived at the site at around 4pm. We wondered in and it was really crowded! We started to wonder around the various stalls. Many were selling goods ranging from clothing to food to jewellery and all sorts. Some were just giving out free samples - I was dying to get some of these however most of the time the queues were far too long! There was also a fun fair part - luckily this was all concentrated in one area and we didn't venture into this.
There was plenty of things to occupy ourselves until the fly over of the Red Arrows - which we really wanted to see. We headed up to a bit of a hill for this. There was commentry on the PA system but this was rubbish and couldn't be heard! The display itself was, however, good.
There were toilet scattered around the site. There were portaloos and disgusting and not enough of them.
The main lift off of balloons was good - although there weren't as many shapes as I've have thought/hoped. Just after this there wasn't really much left to do but wait until the night glow.
This was quite good - however the sound system damped it a bit.
Overall quite a good day and worth it but things could be improved!
Advantages: A great time and the music concert is free, It is great for anybody on any budget Disadvantages: Quite a bit of traffic around so try to get there early for parking nearby or better still leave the car at the park and ride and walk.
Bristol has a great many attractions from the historical SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Cathedral to the newer attractions like the @ Bristol complex or the IMAX screen cinema.
The attraction I want to talk about is the BristolBalloonFiesta at Ashton Court.
It occurs every year from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th August.
The first thing that attracts you is the free music concert sponsored by the local radio station GWR fm, this comprises of an afternoon and night of music by differend bands and artists (they usually have 1 well known act and a few lesser known acts in amongst the rest) Last year included Louise and Daphne and Celeste to name a couple.
In the evening (around 9pm) there is the nightglow and some of the tethered balloons light up in time to the music supplied by GWR.
And yes it is ...
Advantages: Beautiful views of the Bridge and the Avon Gorge; free wifi; great terrace Disadvantages: A bit pricy for food and drink
understaffed all the time or their system is at fault - the central bar means they are kind of tripping over themselves in there.
There is sport on in the bar but the tellies are not so enormous they dominate if you don't want to watch and free wifi - good for them.
Parking is a problem, or can be. There seemed to be more cars than spaces! Free on street parking around the hotel - i.e. free as in not metered, rather than free as in available! Easier in the week when local residents are not at home perhaps.
Bristol has a balloonfiesta in the summer and this would be a brilliant place to stay when that is on, as you'd see everything from there, and could walk to Ashton park to the fair bit of the fiesta if you wanted to. It is a long walk into the centre of town from here, but you are right in the heart of Clifton Village with nice bars ...
Advantages: Good location. Bristol is better than it sounds at first. Disadvantages: None really, but the afternoon barmaid let the team down.
?, a Mormon Bible. Oh - and an ?I did it my way? kind of thing by J W Marriott Jnr. It sent me to sleep in that big, comfortable bed, knowing that Marriott don?t have any employees but, instead, employ ?Associates?.
The ?associates? we encountered were, at all times, friendly and helpful ? apart from the sultry afternoon barmaid ? who is probably not actually a barmaid ? more a ?Refreshment Delivery Associate?. And a crap one, at that! The room, anyway, was very comfortable and we enjoyed our stay in the city. To cap it all, it so happened that the city of Bristol was hosting its annual International BalloonFiesta that weekend. Millions of people, and hundreds of hot air balloons. Baby Josh absolutely loved it. So did we. I?m sure you will, too!
Andrew ...
