Heathrow car rental users may enjoy being eye high

Heathrow car rental users may be aware of the London Eye, the big wheel on the south bank of the Thames offering panoramic views across the capital, but it is not the only eye in the sky around southern England.

Those heading down to Dorset may enjoy a rise in the Bournemouth Balloon until October 1st, with the attraction offering a wide vista over the town, Dorset's countryside and the English Channel, attached by cable to the ground and rising up to 500 ft.

It is open from 09:00 BST to late in the evening, unless it is too windy, with night-time flights being illuminated for extra excitement.

The balloon's gondola is large and can carry 25 to 30 passengers, so there should not be too much queuing involved.

For those heading to Bournemouth from Heathrow, take the M4 westbound to join the M25 at Junction 4B before heading south as far as Junction 12 and the M3, which heads south-west through Hampshire past Southampton.

A combination of the M271 and M27 leads past Southampton onto the A31 through Ringwood, before a left turning leads to Bournemouth.

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