Slide 1
The British Balloon Museum & Library
G-AVTL balloon
Help save the past for the future
JOIN NOW
MAKE A DONATION
Large balloon
Unipart balloon
IKEA balloon
Bowler hat balloon
Slide 2
The British Balloon Museum & Library
Help save the past for the future
JOIN NOW
MAKE A DONATION
Montage of items from the BBM&L collection
Slide 3
The British Balloon Museum & Library
Help save the past for the future
JOIN NOW
MAKE A DONATION
Montage of items from the BBM&L collection

Welcome to the British Balloon Museum and Library

The British Balloon Museum and Library (BBM&L) is the official museum of the British Balloon and Airship Club. A small group of balloonists formed the BBM&L in 1979; we are a registered charity with the objective of preserving the many different items associated with, and used in, hot air and gas ballooning, and other forms of lighter-than-air flight. We have no physical museum to house our collection but, thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, you can now explore many items in our collection for the first time online. The process of adding collection items to the website will be a gradual one, as more items are catalogued and photographed.

Explore the Collection

The BBM&L holds a large collection of artefacts from the sport of ballooning, both hot air and gas, plus a good number of items from the world of airships. Click on the links below to navigate to the category you want, where you can view images of these items along with their descriptions.

Below is a carousel of categories in the BBM&L collection.

Search the Collection

Use the search box below to find a particular item, person or event.

Featured Object from the Collection

Back in the late 1960s when this modern era of hot air ballooning was in its infancy, pilots all wore helmets whilst flying and you would be forgiven for assuming they were for protection when landing. But it wasn't from coming into contact with solid objects on the ground, it was to prevent injury from the burner hitting you on the head. When the basket hits the ground it stops, but the balloon (and burner) continues downwards until something stops it, and the first thing the burner hits is your head!

Latest News and Events

We will post news items of interest here concerning people, balloons and airships. There will also be details of events as they become available.

View a selection of articles from our member magazine
As a thank you, we are offering you the chance to peak inside our quarterly membership magazine, Trailrope, to get a taste of the fascinating history of ballooning.

The Small World balloon
The Small World
In 1958 the Atlantic Ocean had yet to be conquered by balloon so it was big news when
Richard D'Alton presents a trophy to Robin Batchelor
AGM, lunch, speaker, auction and raffle.
The annual BBM&L AGM lunch was a great success with a healthy number of people joining us at
Dr. Jenner’s balloon flight replicated 240 years on
The county’s first hydrogen balloon flight has been recreated by aviation enthusiasts on its 240th anniversary. Father of immunology Edward
Northampton Balloon Festival
A busy period came to an end for the BBM&L crews over the weekend of 17 August, with the most
Old Buckenham Harvest Balloon Festival
The wind is blowing a hoolie outside so to time to remember calmer winds and in particular the Old Buckenham

Will you help preserve the history of ballooning?

Become a friend of the BBM&L now.

UK Friends of the British Balloon Museum & Library pay an annual subscription of £15, and it is £18 for Friends overseas. You will receive regular issues of our journal, Trailrope, and one of the much-prized BBM&L lapel badges. There are Inflation Days when historic balloons are given an airing and a great Annual Luncheon. Most important is the knowledge that you are helping to save what could so easily be lost.

This Day in History

30 April 1962
Kurt Richard Stehling a US citizen, made an epic flight from Brawley, CA in "Kathleen." It was an unsuccessful Trans-America attempt which ended near Mexicali, Mexico after 12 hours 30 minutes.
30 April 1976

The first hot air balloon crossing from Scotland to England. The pilot was Frank Barnes flying the British Bacon balloon. Distance was 10miles (16.1kms)over land and 10 miles (16.1kms) over sea. They took off from Dalbeattie in Scotland and landed in Silloth England after 3 hours flying. Source: Aerostat

Educational resources for everyone

How does a balloon work?
How do you land?

Hot air balloons are colourful and inspiring, great to fire the imagination and create an enthusiasm for learning. Visit our Education section to learn more about them and to access teacher resources.

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