British Balloon Museum and Library

British Balloon Museum and Library Please LIKE our page? The British Balloon Museum and Library is the official museum of the British Balloon and Airship Club.

The British Balloon Museum and Library ( www.britishballoonmuseum.org.uk/ ) was formed in 1979 by a small group of balloonists with the objective of preserving the past for the future. Formed in 1979 by a small group of balloonists, with the objective of preserving the many different items associated with and used in hot air and gas ballooning. The online museum is run entirely by volunteers - no

t all balloonists - and is funded by private and corporate donations and annual subscriptions from "Friends of the museum"

Not many stops left for BBM&L on tour 2026…Nevertheless, we are really looking forward to attending the spectacular Long...
31/08/2026

Not many stops left for BBM&L on tour 2026…

Nevertheless, we are really looking forward to attending the spectacular Longleat for Icons of the Sky on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September! 🦁

Did you know that the very first balloon event at Longleat took place 50 years ago?! The Towry Law 24 hour balloon race took place at Longleat House on Saturday 30th October 1976 and competing that weekend was our very own President, Robin Batchelor!

To keep you all guessing, we will not be revealing just yet which collection balloon we plan to inflate however one clue is that the balloon is 30 years old this year! Fingers are firmly crossed for good weather!

For full event details please see the website https://www.longleat.co.uk/events/icons-of-the-sky

24 teams are currently on standby in Gladbeck, Germany for the 69th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett.Last year, Swiss p...
28/08/2026

24 teams are currently on standby in Gladbeck, Germany for the 69th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett.

Last year, Swiss pilots Kurt Frieden & Pascal Witpraechtiger claimed victory after covering a distance of 1358.29km from the launchsite in Metz, France to Gogosu, Romania.

Representing Great Britain this year are Deborah Scholes & Tom Hilditch in GBR1 and Ann Rich & Colin Butter in GBR2 🇬🇧

https://live.gordonbennett.aero for live tracking once the race begins.

The very best of luck to all teams involved!

On this day - 26th August 1785, French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard and his passenger, the Chevalier de Lepinard, ac...
26/08/2026

On this day - 26th August 1785, French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard and his passenger, the Chevalier de Lepinard, achieved the first aerial flight to exceed a distance of 200 kilometres (124 miles).

Their hydrogen balloon journey travelled from Lille to Servon in France, setting a major long-distance record for early aviation.

Find out more about the history of lighter-than-air flight here: https://ow.ly/kf1K50Zzvay

We have a featured objects section on our website to showcase some of the most fascinating items we have collected.Check...
22/08/2026

We have a featured objects section on our website to showcase some of the most fascinating items we have collected.

Check it out today: https://ow.ly/PPQs50ZzumE

BBM&L on tour continues at Northampton Balloon Festival…Sunday early afternoon and conditions were ideal to display “Joy...
20/08/2026

BBM&L on tour continues at Northampton Balloon Festival…

Sunday early afternoon and conditions were ideal to display “Joyride” a recently donated Cameron V-56 dating from 1976. A very well done also to our Project Leader Angela who spent much of the weekend walking the crowd line and talking to the public all things BBM&L.

Huge thank you to Chris & Matt for welcoming us to their events this year! We had a great time at Leicester, Swindon & Northampton!

Not many more stops left on the tour for this year so standby for the next announcement very soon!

Pic credit: Tim Turner

Happy World Photo Day! 🎉📸Today, let's celebrate the magic of capturing moments that tell our stories! We would love to ...
19/08/2026

Happy World Photo Day! 🎉📸

Today, let's celebrate the magic of capturing moments that tell our stories!

We would love to see your pictures of ballooning - whether it is a dramatic shot, a candid moment, or did you catch a funny memory?

Share your pictures with us in the comments 📷❤️

DIGITAL TRAILROPESIf you have joined the BBM&L as a Friend then you will already have access to the digital copies of TR...
17/08/2026

DIGITAL TRAILROPES

If you have joined the BBM&L as a Friend then you will already have access to the digital copies of TRAILROPE via the link on the home page.

As part of the work in hand thanks to the Lottery Heritage grant, we have recently uploaded many more digital back issues going back to 2005 and are in the process of scanning older issues which will be uploaded in due course.

If you want to join us as a Friend then follow the link on the website. ( See below)
Friends may log in to gain access to private areas of the website. New users purchasing Membership for the first time through the website, are required to add Username and Password information on the Checkout page. You will then be able to login to the private areas of the website.

https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/uk-membership/

Have you checked out our Oral Histories page? You can find it on the website, under 'The Collection' tab.In this interv...
14/08/2026

Have you checked out our Oral Histories page? You can find it on the website, under 'The Collection' tab.

In this interview, Colin Wolstenholme, a balloon pilot since 1974, shared his journey from his first balloon flight, inspired by a film, to his involvement in the ballooning community. He recounted his experiences with Cameron Balloons, Thunder and C**t, and Lindstrand Balloons, including designing and manufacturing balloon equipment.

Colin discussed his involvement in competition ballooning, special shapes, and gas ballooning, including the Gordon Bennett race. He also shared stories of his flights, including a dramatic landing in Derbyshire and a flight from the Isle of Man to Penrith. Colin's engineering background and his passion for vintage cars, particularly a Riley, were also highlighted.

Hear the full interview here: https://ow.ly/8CXR50Zt6U6

BBM&L on tour continues this weekend at the Northampton Balloon Festival!Look out for “Joyride” a recently donated Camer...
14/08/2026

BBM&L on tour continues this weekend at the Northampton Balloon Festival!

Look out for “Joyride” a recently donated Cameron V-56 dating from 1976 along with the giant Maxwell House Coffee Jar special shape!

Fingers are firmly crossed for good weather! ☀️

Thanks to Sandy Mitchell & Molly Mae Ballooning for the pics.

BBM&L on tour continues this weekend at the Northampton Balloon Festival ☀️More on that later this week!
10/08/2026

BBM&L on tour continues this weekend at the Northampton Balloon Festival ☀️

More on that later this week!

Address

British Balloon Museum & Library
Morpeth
NE65

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when British Balloon Museum and Library posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category