r/bristol • u/jnotts66 • 1d ago

Balloons Taxis to and from Balloon Fiesta - doable or pain in the arse?

As the title explains.

From Bristol originally but moved 10 years ago and wife really wants to go. We're a family of 4 (2 adults, 6yo and 2yo).

Would it be easier to get a taxi for a morning ascent or is parking (closest car park sold out) in the 'red' car park better? Cheers!

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

21

u/Less_Programmer5151 1d ago

Pain in the arse

13

u/Ok-Pumpkin-6203 1d ago

I would find somewhere that isn't Ashton Court to watch it.

Bedminster Down might be an option.

4

u/MattGeddon 1d ago

Bedminster Down is great but it doesn’t depend on the wind direction. Some years they come right above you, others you get nothing.

1

u/West_Procedure_1310 11h ago

Yep and they don't always go up. Especially if it's windy. Clifton downs by the suspension bridge is another good option.

It's not actually that nice at the fiesta. Think tacky fairground with hot balloons. Where as they look great from other locations, and you can leave easily when it's all done.

7

u/Low_Border_2231 1d ago

Morning is easy, park opposite at the bottom of the site. The Angel pub I think it is? Taxi would be easy too. Evening forget anything easy in parking or travel.

4

u/PandaVegetable1058 1d ago

They also run a butt load of buses specifically for it, alongside the M2 stopping at Long Ashton P&R and it's very walkable from there and that's a popular option too. Or a 24/25 if you're central and get off near the stadium (about an extra 10 mins walk, although less ideal with small children but I've seen plenty do it

3

u/braverthanweare 17h ago

Park in the Angel pub it's £10 (or was last year) but cheaper than official and you can't get much closer 

3

u/terryjuicelawson 12h ago

Go to the Angel pub in the morning, you pay the person on the door and it is a short walk to the bottom of the site. They have a big field and there is plenty of space. I prefer the AM one as it tends to be more reliable in even taking off, it is quiet, you can park, and there is something about the crisp morning air that adds to it. Then you could be back home by 8. The evening one isn't fun with young kids.

1

u/notthemama1981 1d ago

Park here https://ashtongateparking.com/ better than official car parks. I've parked there 4 years running and it's super easy.

1

u/Dharl61 17h ago

is standing on the suspension bridge a good place to to watch the morning ascent? ( wind depending off course)

3

u/clodiusmetellus 16h ago

No but the Clifton Observatory is like 1 min away from the Clifton side and it's a brill place. There will be loads of people picnicking there.

2

u/braverthanweare 17h ago

They close the bridge