Ballooning Grand Prix at Sudeley Castle

15 June – Prepare for a thrilling outdoor spectacular this June, when the Ballooning Grand Prix at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe gets underway.

While Sudeley Castle and Gardens is already a popular visitor attraction throughout the summer, the special Ballooning Grand Prix event taking place from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 June is expected to draw hundreds of families from across Gloucestershire and beyond.

In what is set to be a truly breathtaking weekend, some of the UK’s finest hot air balloon pilots will be taking the skies in their miraculous flying machines, competing for a place in the British Team at the 2009 European Championships.

Visitors can expect to see around 25 brightly-coloured balloons soaring into the sky, with the majestic Sudeley Castle providing the perfect backdrop, as the competitors pit their skills by flying to targets, dropping markers and landing in designated areas, gaining points for accuracy – and hopefully beating their rivals.

Thursday 12 and Friday 13 June are reserved for practice flights, when visitors will be able to watch the balloons in action from around 6pm. The official competition flights will then take place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June, with morning flights at 6am and evening flights at around 6pm. Sunday evening will also include fun flying demonstrations.

And if the rare chance to see so many hot air balloons in one place wasn’t impressive enough, the Somerfield Balloon Parachute Team will be performing on Saturday 14 June – with the daredevil team leaping from balloons and descending into the grounds of Sudeley Castle.

The weekend will also see colourful tethered balloon displays erected – which are sure to be a favourite with the kids – not to mention craft stalls, plenty of local produce and refreshments available from 10.30am to 7pm on both Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June.

Sudeley’s special opening times for the Ballooning Grand Prix are:

Thursday 12 to Friday 13 June 2008
Admission from 10.30am, last admission at 6pm and the exit closes at 9pm

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June 2008
Admission from 6am, last admission at 6pm and the exit closes at 9pm

Don’t miss what is set to be an amazing day out in Gloucestershire for the whole family this summer.

Event: Ballooning Grand Prix
Venue: Sudeley Castle
Dates: Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 June 2008
Times: Vary per day, see above for more information
Tickets: Normal admission charges apply; £7.20 for adults, £6.20 for concessions, £4.20 for children aged 5 to 15 and £20.80 for family tickets (valid for two adults and two children). A special ticket offer is also available for this event. Call Sudeley Castle on (01242) 604244 or see sudeleycastle.co.uk for more information.

SoGlos.com
31 March 2008