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.

Background: an image from the Frank Hedges Butler collection. Find out more here.

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.

Hardware Balloons, baskets, burners etc. Non-fiction, fiction, non-english. Books Oral history Audio interviews with key people. Advertising Posters and handbills. Clothing T-shirts, sweatshirts, flying suits etc. Photographs Single photos, bundles and albums. Post/Postal items Flown mail, stamps, envelopes. Art Paintings, prints. Moving films Documentaries, fiction, events. Memorablia China, glass, wood, metal etc. Trophies & plaques Awards, trophies and plaques. Records Logbooks, certificates, stationery etc. Publications Articles, magazines, newspapers etc. 3D models Models of balloons etc. Balloon G-AVTL taking off Book jacket for My Polar Flights Don Cameron in the Cameron Balloons factory Poster for French balloon meet 2001 Yellow flying suit Image from c.1908 of people in balloon basket Signed envelope of balloon launched from HMS Ark Royal Coloured engraving of 18th century balloon VHS video cover for Breitling Orbiter 3 video SAGA 1997 Official participant dish Trophy with two handles Montage of logbook items and image of Renee Thornton Daily Telegraph magazine cover featuring balloons 3D model of balloon

Search the Collection

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

Featured Object from the Collection

This print of the first hydrogen balloon flight is one of twelve produced by the Royal Aeronautical Society to mark its centenary in 1966. The original steel engraving by Pombart Sculp c1784 and depicts the first hydrogen balloon 1 December 1783.

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.

Digital Trailropes

If you have joined the BBM&L as a Friend then you will already have access to the digital copies of...

Model balloons at Bristol Fiesta

BBM&L Model Balloon Celebration Inflation, Bristol Fiesta 2026. Once again the British Balloon Museum & Library will be represented at...

LAASI Magazine ID26 Tribute

OUR CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN Finally, a good spell of weather across the UK and Pidley was blessed with the best! I...

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

9 September 1830
Charles Durant, America's 1st great balloonist, makes his 1st U.S. ascent at Castle Garden, New York. He stays in the air for two hours, landing at South Amboy, New Jersey. His skill and enthusiasm inspire a passion for ballooning in America.
9 September 1979

On the weekend of the 7th-9th September 1979, a small gathering of like-minded balloonists came together to celebrate what was to become the first ever Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Organised by the British Junior Chamber of Commerce and Shipping, the Fiesta was held at the popular ballooning location, Ashton Court. Spectators witnessed a mass ascent of all 27 balloons attending the Fiesta and marvelled at the many other flights made throughout the weekend. Most balloons came from the West Country, while others came from Ireland, Luxembourg and West Germany. 

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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