Head in The Clouds balloon flights in Berkshire and Oxfordshire

Directions

We generally use one of two launch areas for our balloon flights, depending on wind direction, which are located one at either side of Newbury, Berkshire. The Folly Dog site is located about 1 mile north east of Hungerford, Berkshire, whilst the Hermitage site is about 5 miles north east of Newbury itself. This page gives directions and links to maps to help you locate the launch sites.

Folly Dog

From the South, East or West via A4

Take the A34 north to Newbury, until you arrive at the A4 connecting Newbury and Hungerford (this is the Robin Hood roundabout). Turn left along the A4 towards Hungerford over the new by-pass and continue until you arrive at the outskirts of Hungerford. You will pass a garden centre on your right, after which you will come to a mini-roundabout. Turn right onto the A338 north and proceed up the hill for 1/2 mile. Turn right at the 4 way junction and the field is about 200 yards on the right hand side, with a large green metal gate.

From the North, East or West via M4

Proceed along the M4 motorway from London or Swindon to junction 14. Leave the motorway and take the A338 south towards Hungerford. At the second 4-way junction turn left and the field is about 200 yards on the right hand side, with a large green metal gate.

Click here to view a map of the directions

Hermitage

From the South, East or West

Proceed along the A4 or A34 to Newbury as far as the Robin Hood roundabout (this roundabout is where the A34 and A4 meet) and follow the roundabout eastwards (under the A34) as though heading east on the A4. At the eastern side of the roundabout is a turning north towards Hermitage. Take this road, which proceeds for about 400 yards to two connected mini-roundabouts. Proceed straight over these roundabouts heading north for about 4 miles until the road splits at the Fox Inn (this pub is where we often meet prior to flying). Turn right in front of the pub and proceed for about one mile until there is a copse of trees on both sides of the road with a dirt track heading north and south. The launch fields 1 & 2 are on either side of the road. Field 3 is a further half mile along the road on the right hand side at the top of the hill.

From the North

Proceed south on the A34 until you arrive at the Robin Hood roundabout which is the first set of traffic lights at the botton of the A34. Take the first exit off the roundabout (immediately before the A4 east) and head North towards Hermitage. Take this road, which proceeds for about 400 yards to two connected mini-roundabouts. Proceed straight over these roundabouts heading north for about 4 miles until the road splits at the Fox Inn (this pub is where we often meet prior to flying). Turn right in front of the pub and proceed for about one mile until there is a copse of trees on both sides of the road with a dirt track heading north and south. The launch fields 1 & 2 are on either side of the road. Field 3 is a further half mile along the road on the right hand side at the top of the hill.