This year's Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has been a hot one, with temperatures reaching above 30C and so it can be hard to prepare yourself and your loved ones for a visit. This is especially true for visitors of the early morning mass ascent, who will arrive before the balloons take flight at 6:30am, when the weather is much cooler and the sun has not yet risen high in the sky.
It may seem tempting to send little ones off on their adventure in their cosy pyjamas or onesies but, when the sun comes up, they're really going to feel the heat. Not only that but, with early ascents in mind, you might find yourself or your family members feeling a little tired after such an early start - and trust us when we say that you're going to want to stick around once the ascent is over.
The balloon fiesta has lots of entertainment - both in the arena and around the site - throughout the day, making for one of the best days out in Bristol, but times to see the balloons themselves are limited to 6am and 6pm each day (with no 6am flight on the Thursday, but night glows at 9pm on the Thursday and Saturday, too). So, in order to get the most out of your time at Ashton Court, we've compiled a list of tips and tricks to make your visit as perfect as can be - and the first one is to prioritise the balloons over anything else, as they won't be around all day, unlike the fairground, stalls and other entertainment.
