Badger Ales

Dorset will always be linked to the writings of novelist Thomas Hardy - The Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess of the D'Urbervilles and away from the mob were all set in the fictional country of "Wessex" which took Dorchester and the surrounding area because it is a source of inspiration. A balloon ride over the area is an ideal opportunity to see many monuments of the county in an entirely new perspective - or, more precisely, everything up to 5,000 feet.

A good place to start is Shaftesbury or "Shaston" of Hardy's novels. The city is a perfect place to display both breathtaking Stour River Basin and the beautiful Blackmore Vale - a valley that stretches from south of Somerset, Dorset. As many historic buildings, cobbled streets Shaftesbury, particularly famous. Gold Hill also announced the famous Hovis bread: Most people are familiar with the iconic images of a young boy pushing a bike laden with bread on the slope of Dvorak's "New World Symphony.

Shaftesbury is a small town with a history dating back to medieval times and high atop a hill. From the sky, you may be able to spy on old Wardour Castle, picturesque villages like Motcombe, Cherry Orchard and Sturminster Newton and even Glastonbury Tor on a clear day. Whatever direction the wind takes you, you will be able to enjoy fantastic Dorset patchwork of fields, farm land and small forests.

Sherborne is a spa at the base and the ideal place to explore the wide open sky in hot air balloon. Of particular note in this unspoilt area of Dorset is the abbey church of St. Mary the Virgin, now known as Sherborne Abbey. He was a Saxon cathedral, a Benedictine abbey and is now a parish church. Sherborne is literally packed with historic buildings, including Sherborne School, Sherborne House and hospices. Sherborne also in Hardy's books, but "no Sherton Abbas and Dorset balloon tour here would be complete without seeing the majestic castle of Sherborne.

Farther south, a hot air balloon trip from Blandford forum is as refreshing as the "Badger beers" it is famous for. The small market town on the River Stour is a fantastic place to fly. Beware the corn exchange, market place and six-arch bridge, which are highlights of this throughout the Georgian architecture. Just south lies the small village of Blandford St Mary, home of the hall and Woodhouse brewery where ale as Original Badger, Tanglefoot and Fursty Ferret are still manufactured today. Although Champagne is the traditional drink in a balloon, after a balloon flight of Blandford Forum, perhaps we should make an exception.

If the wind will take you to the west, you may just be able to see the Cerne Giant in Cerne Abbas. The 180ft high, male figure carved into the side of a steep hill is considered an ancient symbol of spirituality. The giant is an important part of the Dorset and according to legend is associated with fertility.

For more information on Dorset balloon flights visit Virgin Balloon Flights - the leader of a hot air balloon rises in the corporate world with the largest passenger carrying balloons in the United Kingdom.