Frequently Asked Questions

What is the British Balloon Museum & Library?

The British Balloon Museum & Library is the official museum of the British Balloon & Airship Club and was formed in 1979 by a small group of balloonists. The purpose is to preserve the many different items associated with, and used in hot air and gas ballooning, and other forms of lighter-than-air flight. The museum is run entirely by volunteers, not all balloonists, and is funded by private and corporate donations and annual subscription of the "Friends." A list of the officers can be found in Who’s Who.

How do I become a Friend of the British Balloon Museum and Library, and what do I get for my membership?

A membership form is available to print off on the Friends page or you can join online through the links at the foot of the Friends page.

The annual membership fee goes towards the running of the museum. The membership includes four editions of our magazine, Trailrope. This carries news from the museum and articles connected with lighter-than-air and its history.

What do the British Balloon Museum & Library preserve?

The collection covers a wide range of items. It includes nearly 200 balloons that are donated or on loan. We also look after a large and varied collection of artefacts ranging from baskets to burners, postcards, postage stamps, trophies and awards and we have a comprehensive library of books, magazines and fascinating technical papers relating to lighter-than-air flight.

Where can I see these items?

The balloons are based at locations in the United Kingdom, and frequently attend balloon meets. Special events are occasionally organised by the BBM&L, such as the meet at the Cardington Airship hangar which saw a world indoor ballooning record attempt. Every two years the BBM&L hold an Inflation Day where old balloons are inflated.

There is a display in the reception area of Cameron Balloons Ltd, in Bristol which includes many artefacts, large and small, plus photographs.

Who can donate items to the museum?

The very simple answer is anyone. Previous donations have come from balloonists, manufacturers, bequests, enthusiasts and the odd anonymous parcel. If you have anything that might be or is related in anyway to, the history of lighter-than-air, it may be of interest. For more information on how to donate, please contact us at info@bbml.org.uk.

What are the future plans for the museum?

In a perfect world, the museum would hope at some time to have a dedicated building to hold the collection, provide a display, and give access to the public for a nominal charge. However this would depend on a sizeable amount of finance and would only be accessible by a limited number of people. To allow everyone across the globe to access our collection, we decided to create an online museum and are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support to achieve this. We will be continually adding to the online museum, both in terms of the collection items and new resources.