{"id":289754,"date":"2025-07-25T05:21:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T05:21:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/289754\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T05:21:27","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T05:21:27","slug":"seven-of-the-best-places-to-watch-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/289754\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven of the best places to watch event"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chloe Harcombe<\/p>\n

BBC News, Bristol<\/p>\n

\"ReutersReuters<\/p>\n

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta returns 8-10 August<\/p>\n

Bristol’s skyline will soon be transformed into a picture-perfect display as more than 100 hot air balloons ascend above the city.<\/p>\n

The annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta attracts 500,000 to the three-day event.<\/p>\n

While the main arena is in Ashton Court Estate, there are plenty of spots to enjoy the spectacle, with our hilly city boasting dozens of panoramic vistas.<\/p>\n

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to watch the balloons when the festival returns between 8-10 August – providing the weather conditions play ball.<\/p>\n

Ashton Court Estate<\/p>\n

\"PAPA Media<\/p>\n

The balloons take off from Ashton Court Estate <\/p>\n

Beginning with an obvious one, the best place to watch the spectacle is from the rolling hills of Ashton Court Estate, just outside the city’s boundaries.<\/p>\n

This location homes the event’s main arena, based in the west of the city. It is where the balloons take off for the mass ascents and where the world-famous Nightglow will be staged.<\/p>\n

Mass ascents are scheduled to take place at dusk and dawn, with the first one planned at 06:00 BST on 8 August.<\/p>\n

Clifton Observatory<\/p>\n

\"GettyGetty Images<\/p>\n

This historic windmill offers high, clear views of Clifton Suspension Bridge<\/p>\n

Another popular choice, this historic windmill located to the west of the city offers high, clear views of Clifton Suspension Bridge, Avon Gorge and Ashton Court Estate. <\/p>\n

It is one of many great spots for photographers hoping to capture the balloons against the iconic backdrop.<\/p>\n

Capturing the balloons and the bridge in one photogenic nutshell, the observatory is every Bristolian photographers dream.<\/p>\n

Bristol Harbourside<\/p>\n

\"PAPA Media<\/p>\n

The balloons were tethered on the Harbourside in 2023 ahead of the fiesta<\/p>\n

Many people like to wait by the city’s harbourside to watch the balloons float above the water.<\/p>\n

With the city’s iconic rainbow buildings in the distance, plus boats on the water, this spot makes for a great photo. <\/p>\n

All the bars and restaurants alongside the harbour also offer a place to sit and relax at the same time.<\/p>\n

Perretts Park<\/p>\n

\"BBC\/SteveBBC\/Steve Mellen<\/p>\n

Perrett Park near Knowle is a popular spot<\/p>\n

While this location is based slightly outside of the city centre on the Totterdown\/Knowle border, Perrett Park still attracts big crowds, especially in hot weather.<\/p>\n

The sloping hill boasts stunning views of the city, and is the perfect location for families who like to enjoy a picnic and some space while watching the balloons.<\/p>\n

Brandon Hill<\/p>\n

\"Aerial<\/p>\n

Brandon Hill is the oldest park in Bristol and boasts panoramic views of the city<\/p>\n

Brandon Hill is the oldest park in Bristol and is home to another of the city’s famous landmarks, Cabot Tower.<\/p>\n

This lookout, based at the top of Park Street, offers panoramic views of Bristol, looking across the city centre and over towards Ashton Court.<\/p>\n

It has become one of the most popular places for balloon spotters, with its informal gardens and flowing stream adding a touch of serenity to the bustling weekend.<\/p>\n

Depending on the wind direction, scores of hot-air balloons may fly almost directly overhead on their way towards the harbourside.<\/p>\n

Dundry hill<\/p>\n

\"GettyGetty Images<\/p>\n

The rolling hilltop stretches for two miles<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for more picturesque vistas of the countryside, plenty of people head a little outside of the city towards to Dundry Hill, near Bristol Airport.<\/p>\n

Located 15 minutes south of Bristol, the rolling hilltop stretches for two miles east to west, and offers a serene escape from the city with sweeping views of green pastures and charming country lanes.<\/p>\n

Reaching heights of up to 160m (525ft), it’s the perfect location to see hot-air balloons as they drift up and away from the city, with uninterrupted views of the skyline.<\/p>\n

Troopers Hill<\/p>\n

\"GettyGetty Images<\/p>\n

This spot offers nice views and often has a festival atmosphere <\/p>\n

Based 15 minutes outside of the city centre, this nature reserves boasts stunning views of the east of Bristol.<\/p>\n

Depending on the winds, this spot often sees a large majority of the balloons flyby.<\/p>\n

In recent years, big crowds have gathered, with people playing music and creating a festival atmosphere. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Chloe Harcombe BBC News, Bristol Reuters The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta returns 8-10 August Bristol’s skyline will soon…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":289755,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8818],"tags":[381,748,393,4884,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-289754","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bristol","8":"tag-bristol","9":"tag-britain","10":"tag-england","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114912198294270103","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=289754"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289754\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/289755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=289754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=289754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=289754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}