Safari park's air show ends early due to strong winds

A break in the weather earlier this morning saw some hot air balloons go up, but Longleat later announced "the weather has beaten us"

An air show involving planes and hot air balloons has finished early due to safety concerns over poor weather conditions.

Longleat's Icons of the Sky returned on Friday with the line-up featuring two balloon mass ascents, night glow balloon shows, fireworks, and air displays involving a Supermarine Spitfire and the RAF Falcons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

But Longleat said on Sunday it would "not be safe" to fly planes or balloons "due to the strong winds forecast, as well as low cloud creating poor visibility".

It added the safari park would shut on Monday due to the high winds forecast.

"Despite our best efforts, the weather has beaten us and sadly Icons of the Sky 2025 has had to wrap early," Longleat said in a social media post.

"We would like to thank every single balloonist, pilot, team and crews behind-the-scenes who have worked so tremendously hard to ensure we had spectacular displays for two and half days and to you for supporting the event."

People had earlier enjoyed a variety of hot air balloon shapes

The decision to keep the park closed on Monday was taken to ensure the safety of visitors, Longleat said, with thousands of trees across the 9,000-acre estate vulnerable to high winds.

"It was disappointing to finish Icons of the Sky earlier than we had hoped today but the weather meant it was not possible to continue," Scott Ashman, head of operations, said.

"With wind gusts predicted to top 50mph overnight, it was sensible to decide about tomorrow too, so those who had booked could change the date of their visit.

"To close the site, is not a decision we take lightly as we are aware it impacts on people's plans, but safety is paramount which made it a simple one."

Guests are able to move the date of their visit until 13:00 BST on Tuesday when the park will reopen and automatic refunds will then be implemented, Longleat said.