Longleat's Icons of the Sky: All you need to know

1 day ago

Holly Rattley,Wiltshireand

Christopher Mace

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the Wiltshire estate from 11 to 13 September

Longleat More than 20 hot air balloons of different colours and sizes ascending above Longleat Estate, with the Longleat house below and a body of water running through the centre of the fields. — Thousands of people are expected to flock to the Wiltshire estate from 11 to 13 September

The sky above Longleat will be filled with hot air balloons once again this autumn when the annual Icons of the Sky event returns.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the Wiltshire estate from 11 to 13 September to watch the spectacle, which is now in its third year.

A 120ft-tall scarecrow balloon will be among the main attractions this year, as well as several animal-themed airborne characters. Visitors can also look out for displays by the G-Force Aerobatics team and pilots of fixed wing aircraft, including Spitfires and a P51D Mustang.

Here is a guide to help you prepare for this year's event as the safari park celebrates its 60th anniversary.

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Do I need tickets?

Yes. Icons of the Sky is included in the cost of a Longleat day ticket. Prices range from £39.95 to £48.95 for adults aged 16 and above and £29.95 to £36.70 for children. Entry is available for members to book for £1 on Friday and Sunday.

Guests can explore the ground floor of Longleat House, the railway, the jungle boat cruise and the monkey enclosure between Icons of the Sky displays.

Smiley is scheduled to make its Longleat debut this year

Longleat Large scarecrow-shaped hot air balloon in the sky. It has a carrot for a nose, and short blonde hair poking out from beneath a brown straw hat with a green band. It is wearing an orange coat with red, green and purple patches sewn on. It has a red tie with blue circles and a yellow shirt. The balloon design cuts off just below the waist but its lower garment is white with red hearts. A crow is sitting on its shoulder. — Smiley is scheduled to make its Longleat debut this year

How do I get there?

Parking is included in the ticket price. There is accessible parking in the Lime Tree and Silver Birch car parks, with most accessible bays and spots with electric chargers in the latter location.

Frome, Warminster and Westbury are the nearest railway stations for those looking to take a connecting taxi to the Wiltshire estate.

Malcolm Forbes' Chateau Balleroy balloon will appear at the event for the first time

Longleat A large hot air balloon in the shape of a brown, sand and white chateau, commissioned by Malcolm Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine. It is tethered on a green lawn with a large country house in the background. — Malcolm Forbes' Chateau Balleroy balloon will appear at the event for the first time

Which balloons will fly this year?

The three-day extravaganza will see tethered displays - where classic shapes and characters will be inflated for guests to see up close - including Thomas the Tank Engine and an elephant, as well as Longleat's own Adelaide (koala) and Simbaloo (lion).

There will be two mass hot air balloon ascents per day in the mornings and evenings.

Smiley the scarecrow will make its debut, piloted by husband and wife Jack and Lynn Semler, who will ship the balloon over from Indiana in the United States.

Jack said Smiley was a "wonderful balloon" to fly. "He has a lapel, actual straw coming out of the sides of him, and a crow that sits up on his shoulder," he added.

Jack also said the pair were looking forward to returning to Wiltshire for the second year running.

"Longleat is a beautiful setting for ballooning with the estate right there and the drive-through zoo...we love the people and just enjoy the atmosphere," he said.

Also making its first appearance will be the Chateau Balleroy balloon, which was commissioned by Malcolm Forbes. The publisher of Forbes magazine built a large collection of balloons, each designed to represent a country he visited.

Aircrafts including Spitfires will be part of the aerial displays

Longleat A pair of BBMF Spitfires flying side by side in blue sky with propellers and silver-grey bodies and the iconic blue, red and white bullseye insignia painted on their wings. — Aircrafts including Spitfires will be part of the aerial displays

Vintage aircraft on display

Alongside the balloons, visitors can enjoy various aircraft performances.

Scott Ashman, head of operations at Longleat, said they will have a "range of warbirds" throughout the weekend with the Battle of Britain memorial flight Spitfire pair on Friday and Saturday, as well as the P51D Mustang each day.

"We'll also have fantastic aerobatics, including Chris Burkett's G Force Aerobatics, which is always popular with the crowd," Ashman added.

As evening falls, the balloons will be illuminated to music and fireworks will be set off.