The fiesta is in full swing at Ashton Court this weekend and, while there are plenty of places you can get a good look at balloon-filled skies, there's no place like home when it comes to balloon spotting. Luckily, there are a number of properties on the market that boast amazing spots for balloon watching, entertaining and just simply sitting back and relaxing close to the skies of Bristol.
Estate agent Savills has told Bristol Live that the hot spots for balloon-watching actually correspond with some of the most desirable areas in the city and the fiesta itself definitely makes Bristol a place people from all over the world desire to live. Richard Brooks, head of Savills residential sales business in Bristol, said: "The Bristol Balloon Fiesta first took flight in 1979 and, embraced by Bristolians, grew to become an international event. Attracting around 500,000 visitors over the four day event, it is one of many reasons for Bristol’s reputation as a world-class city.
Read more: Best vantage points in Bristol for hot air balloon spotting
"Hot spots for balloon-watching correspond with some of the most desirable areas in which to live. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous backdrop to the display, and likewise, the north west Bristol suburb of Clifton Village is arguably the most prestigious within the city.
"Boasting elegant Georgian architecture, in amongst picture-perfect leafy surrounds, it attracts buyers from all over the world. Meanwhile the areas around the traditional vantage points of Brandon Hill, Clifton and Durdham Downs and Leigh Woods, are prime property hotspots and have seen some of the strongest house price growth in recent years.
"You don’t have to venture far from the city before you are enveloped in the south west countryside, with Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Towns and villages within North Somerset have seen strong growth in the last couple of years, with average house prices in Backwell and the Gordano Valley, encompassing the upmarket towns of Portishead and Clevedon, exceeding £500,000 in 2021."
Here's a list of some of the most desirable properties for balloon watchers on the market today...
Bridge Corner, Clifton
This three-bedroom property is a penthouse apartment with direct views of the Clifton Suspension bridge, probably the most iconic landmark in the city. You've most certainly seen photos of hot air balloons above the bridge as they take off from the balloon fiesta nearby at Ashton Court Estate - and imagine having ringside seats to those beautiful scenes without having to leave your home.
Occupying the top floor of the building, this 'best in class' apartment offers spacious lateral living with the added bonus of off road parking - a rare find in the area. There's an open-plan kitchen/sitting/dining room that's bathed in natural light with electrical operated Velux windows above.
It also boasts a bespoke kitchen and, along the hall, the main bedroom will give you views across Christchurch Green - it also has its own en-suite shower room with underfloor heating. But the main attraction - and the real reason this property features on this list - is the rooftop terrace.
As you head up the stairs, you come out onto the terrace where you can enjoy 360 degree views, including that of the Clifton Suspension bridge and Avon Gorge. The terrace benefits from sunlight throughout much of the day and is a perfect space for al fresco dining. Imagine sitting up there as balloons float by - heaven. Priced at £1.59million, you can find out more about this property here.
Bridge House, Clifton
Another property situated in the heart of Clifton, this two bed/two bath apartment at Bridge House is found in a highly sought-after location and arguably one of Bristol's premier addresses. This landmark building was carefully restored into 18 generous apartments, after being built in the Victorian era as a hotel.
The apartment for sale - apartment 101 - occupies a portion of the first floor of the building, with period style features, high ceilings, large windows and plenty of natural light. It definitely oozes grandeur and boasts its own drawing room with large windows that offer views of the surrounding architecture in Clifton.
The kitchen/breakfast room boasts all your mod cons, as well as large granite worktops and more views out over Clifton. While the master bedroom comes with its own en-suite with his and her sinks, WC, bidet and shower.
And if all that wasn't enough, the property has been fitted with wireless Sonos surround sound and you can rest assured in the knowledge that you have your own gated parking, bike storage and even your own concierge. Priced at £1million, you can find out more, here.
Tuscany House, Durdham Park
This two-bed, two-bath apartment is situated in a Bath stone fronted Grade II-listed building, retaining plenty of period features while letting in a lot of natural light. There are even working shutters and replica ceiling cornices for that extra luxurious touch.
Opening into the entry/formal dining hall with plenty of space for a dining table or study/home office, the reception has huge windows and a pine fireplace with gas coal effect fire. Then a feature arch opens into the breakfast area where you'll find recessed book shelves and access to a kitchen, fitted with a range of appliances/amenities.
The main bedroom has a dual aspect which is the reason it features on this list - one sash window offers access (by stepping onto and over a window seat) to the roof terrace, providing space for a bistro table and chairs, ideal for watching balloons fly by or simply enjoying some sun. The bedroom is split in to two levels with a raised bedroom area and custom built bed with additional storage.
Tuscany House is set in established well maintained gardens with a single garage within the garage block together with a single designated parking space and additional visitors parking. It sits just 350 yards away from Durdham Downs - another well-known balloon-watching hotspot, too. Priced at £595,000, you can find out more here.
Coronation Road, Southville
Thanks to their proximity to Ashton Court, Southville and Bedminster enjoy great views of the balloon displays and this five-bed, three bath house on Coronation Road has a loft conversion with views towards the suspension bridge. It also boasts a bay-fronted sitting room, a generous dining/play room that allows plenty of sunshine through its large double doors opening in to the sun room at the rear.
Other features include stairs rising to the master bedroom, with its own front bay and views out across the Rover Avon. There's even a guest suite situated on the top floor, with an en-suite shower room, Velux windows and views across Bristol and towards Cabot Tower, Clifton Suspension bridge and the Wills Memorial building.
What's more, it also has its own enclosed south-facing rear garden, which enjoys sunlight throughout much of the day. Another perfect place for a bit of balloon spotting, if they fly this way. Priced at £850,000, you can find out more here.
Ashton View, Highridge Road, Dundry
Dundry Hill is another traditional vantage point for balloons and the village of Dundry sits close to the summit of the hill. Ashton View is a six-bedroom, four bathroom detached home, which was formerly an Edwardian cottage that has since been redesigned and extended in a popular country location just a short drive from Bristol city centre.
The addition of the large two bedroom annex has transformed this property to one which is now perfect for those seeking to either accommodate a dependent relative or to generate significant rental income without impacting the privacy of the main home. The property also boasts a paved driveway with a hallways that leads to an open plan living space, equipped with exposed stone walling, ceiling beams and a set of French doors with views out across the adjoining garden.
There's also a study and cloakroom which, too, overlooks the garden and both properties (including the separate two bedroom annex) boasts their own outdoor spaces. This means you can sit back and relax with or without balloons in the sky. Priced at £895,000, you can find out more here.
Number One Bristol
Number One Bristol is one of the city’s tallest buildings and this apartment boasts its own balcony with impressive westerly views over the city and beyond, taking in Brandon Hill and looking out towards the Mendips. The building also has a fantastic rooftop garden.
Boasting two bedrooms and two bathrooms, this apartment - number 704 - sits on the 7th floor and is accessed via a concierge service and lift access. It comes equipped with a spacious hallway which offers oak flooring, alarm system, intercom and plenty of storage.
The open plan kitchen living room also has quadruple glazed floor to ceiling windows, for very little noise but magnificent views. What's more, a sliding glass door leads out onto a balcony which spans the entire length of the apartment and offers outstanding westerly views towards the Mendip Hills, with Bristol Cathedral and Brandon Tower in the foreground.
The main bedroom has an en suite and both bedrooms have sliding doors of their own to access the balcony - ideal for balloon spotting. Priced at £395,000, you can find out more here.
North Somerset properties may enjoy a particularly good show this year if wind forecasts are correct
Old Chapel Lane, Nailsea
This four bedroom, three bathroom detached house is adjacent to farmland and countryside, making it ideal for relaxing under balloon-filled skies. It also boasts three large reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, ground floor shower room, basement and even a swimming pool.
What's more, it comes with its own gated driveway and double garage and each bedroom boasts far reaching views towards the wooded hillsides of Wraxall and the gardens. The gardens lie on predominantly three sides of the property with a sweeping flagstone terrace perfectly located for enjoying the afternoon and evening sunshine.
Fruit trees, shrub and herbaceous borders provide colour and interest all year round and the large expanse of lawn is almost entirely level offering a terrific play area for children and pets. A portion of the gardens to the front of the property has been smartly fenced as a tortoise enclosure that would certainly be ideal for those with other such small pets or chickens. Priced at £1.35million, you can find out more here.
Church Lane, Backwell
This Grade II listed converted barn is set in a peaceful location with links to transport and close to the amenities in Backwell. It boasts five bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as three reception rooms.
There's a kitchen/breakfast room with separate utility, option of a sixth bedroom on the ground floor with an en suite, as well as a mature garden and even a detached double garage with two driveways and parking. On the first floor a very long and bright galleried landing runs almost the full width of the property with five bedrooms all orientated to make the most of the far reaching views over roof tops toward the hillsides of Tickenham and Wraxall.
The main bedroom has views out towards the church and nearby fields and the garden boasts a wide expanse of lawn, as well as well established flower borders and a small paved area with a vine covered pergola. A perfect spot for balloon spotting in this neck of the woods. Priced at £1.25million, you can find out more here.
Tickenham House, Tickenham
This Grade II-listed house has six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a 26ft kitchen/breakfast room with separate utility, three generous reception rooms, study and cellars, two adjoining three-bedroom cottages and further outbuildings and generous barns offering conversion potential.
What's more, it's all set on 3.2 acres of grounds, gardens and paddock and the residence is set at the head of an impressive sweeping driveway just 6.8 miles from Clifton Village and with beautiful valley views to the rear across gardens, paddock to the hillside at Cadbury Camp. Known at one time as the Great House and for a long time as Hales Farm, the main house was believed to have been built during the reign of Queen Anne or possibly George I with modernisation in the 19th Century when it was converted to a farm.
Upstairs, the most amazing views through the wooded valley can be found in a room formerly used as a gym. Priced at £2million, you can find out more here.
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