What is the first thing you think of when you think about the various ways in which you can see the Cotswolds?

For many people the first thought will be walking.  There are lots of walking trails after all, and you could spend weeks wandering along them all.  Then there is cycling, which has the advantage of allowing you to see more in less time.

But have you ever considered the idea of hot air ballooning?

There is no better way to get a unique view of the beauty that is the Cotswolds than by using this particular method.  This way of seeing things is slightly unpredictable in that there is no telling just how high you will go.  But even if the conditions dictate that you only go a few metres higher than the trees, you will get an altogether different view of the countryside than you would be able to get any other way.

You’ll need a head for heights of course, but some people find that once they actually get up there and see what’s waiting for them, they forget about how far up they are.  And it can be as high as three thousand feet…

So where can you enjoy a balloon ride in the Cotswolds?  Well, you may already have heard of the Cotswolds Water Park.  The name doesn’t really do justice to the size of the place, but it is well worth a visit and is situated near Cirencester.  It actually takes up some forty square miles, so you will find plenty of land to explore once you arrive.

And of course you can stay nearby too, so you won’t have too much of a journey to be able to book your place on a hot air balloon.  Orchard Cottage is a classic property situated in South Cerney, and we also have several other properties inside the Cotswolds Water Park itself.  Take the Lake View lodge, for example.  You’ll get a terrific view across a lake, and you might even be able to look down on your holiday property from the hot air balloon too!

The best bet if you fancy giving hot air ballooning a go is to find some companies online before you go on your holiday.  You might find you have to book in advance so you won’t be disappointed and miss out.

But whenever you plan to go, you should be sure to take your camera with you.  There is no better picture of the Cotswolds than the one you can take from hundreds – perhaps even thousands – of feet in the air!  It’s a great way to preserve your memories of this stunning way to see more of the countryside than you could ever hope to do on foot or by bike or car.

What’s more, it’s extremely peaceful up there too.  You are at the mercy of the wind and so you will never quite be sure of what part of the Cotswolds you will look down on.  Are you ready to find out?