The British Balloon
Museum & Library JOIN NOW MAKE A DONATION Help save the past for the future

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

A scratch built 3-d model of the gas balloon G-APOB known as The Small World by its crew who attempted to fly across the Atlantic from east to west in 1958.  A boat shaped gondola replaced the traditional basket which proved to be their salvation after ditching mid ocean.

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.

Midlands Air Festival 2026

  We are excited to be attending the Midlands Air Festival again this year and hope to also take G-MUSM...

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

17 April 1857

Thaddeus Lowe made his first balloon ascent - albeit tethered - in New York City. His first free flight was in 1858 from Ottowa Canada. He reportedly made more than 3000 ascents in his lifetime. He was apprenticed as a shoemaker in 1847, a travelling magician 1850-55, became a professional balloonist & balloon maker 1858-62, a semi-pro Meteorologist 1860-61. He was the inventor & developer of mechanical refrigeration 1866-84 and perfected production of Water-Gas 1872. He became a land developer 1890-1910 and a railway developer 1893-1903. Source: Who is Who in Ballooning.

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.

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Continue Shopping
    Scroll to Top