The Northampton Balloon Festival

Racecourse Pavilion, Kettering Rd, Northampton NN1 4LG

Rating:3.4
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Attraction Thumbnail of The Northampton Balloon Festival
Attraction Thumbnail of The Northampton Balloon Festival
Attraction Thumbnail of The Northampton Balloon Festival

Description

No Description available at this time.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible car park

  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Children

  • Good for kids

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Reviews

5

Had a really lovely time here. Set up and space was brilliant. A good amount of parking. Lots of toilets, food options, drink stands, fair ground fun (cash preferable), displays, animals, local crafts etc. The main attraction of the hot air balloons was brilliant. They all took off at staggered times and it was lovely to see them inflate and cheer them off. Whole event was brilliant. Would attend again!

Published 5 months ago

2

Sorry, I really wanted to enjoy this festival but the ultra poor traffic management meant a 1.5hr queue to park and then everything inside was very crowded, loud and overpriced for not very much (example PS5 for a small tray of overcooked chips, PS8 for a basic burger, PS3.50 bottle of soft drink). The balloons were very nice to watch close up however, but if I ever went again we'll just bring a picnic and enjoy only the balloons from the bit of the park that is still freely accessible, this may also help us avoid the occasional strong waft of "herby" smoke emitted from some of the patrons. Getting out of the carpark was also a massive queue fest with many people not moving for a long time and getting stressed.

Published 5 months ago

1

So nearly 2 hours to go less than half a mile to get into a venue which was all about getting as much money out of families as possible. There were no security checks and the bins overflowing. We got to see some balloons go up which was nice but just a couple of shaped balloons and not as many as advertised. The biggest issue was being charged PS6 for a small ice cream which was apparently a sundae despite having no sauce, flake or sprinkles just because my child doesn't like the cone!!! Overall a badly planned money making event with a couple of balloons. Avoid.

Published 5 months ago

2

The management of parking was awful. Took well over an hour to get in and out of the venue. Through one entrance/exit. If you want to play at big boy events you have to plan, not just have a that'll do aproach. How many pin striped suits decided this would be ok. Why would you charge people to park at point of entry. This is what caused the backlog. A child would have worked that out. I am really trying to be nice here and not use the word moron.The people 'directing' traffic were clearly overwhelmed and taking so much abuse because of lack of planning, this was your fault, whoever was in charge. I would never return or recommend this event because of this. Everything is really expensive so be prepared for that or take your own food/drink. Displays were good and tents were interesting. The balloons were amazing, brilliant to watch so well done to everyone involved there.

Published 5 months ago

1

Traffic is the word but was an absolute joke! I've never seen such a poorly organised parking system. It took us over 2 1/2 to get into the car park as there was only two people taking payments for the car park so there was standstill traffic trying to enter even though parking spaces were plentiful. We live an hour away so unfortunately walking was not an option. We ended up missing a few of the key acts of the day due to literally queuing at the car park entrance. The bike show was good and so was the balloon take of. We didn't stay for the light up balloons as the little one was too young to stay up so late. Once again the traffic when leaving the was appalling. It took us 40 minutes to get out of the car park. I'm surprised there wasn't multiple car crashes there was no order atall and everyone was driving everywhere just trying to find a way out.

Published 5 months ago

2

Not as good as it used to be! 2 years in a row they promised different types of balloons but again!...Nothing but advertised standard ones! Nothing like it used to be years ago, very far from it... extremely overpriced fairground rides and food stools. The best thing is the entry cost and parking if anything. 2 Star rating is being genuous. 1.5 if anything.

Published 5 months ago