The 52nd annual Icicle Refrozen Balloon Meet took place at the Donnington Grove Hotel & Country Club during the first weekend of January 2025. On Saturday, 4th January, approximately 20 balloons launched despite a brief snow flurry. Some of the older balloons were later tethered in the flying area. However, the weather conditions worsened on Sunday, 5th January, preventing any ballooning activities from occurring that day.
The event was originally created in 1973 by David Liddiard as the Icicle Balloon Meet at Bradfords Farm in Marsh Benham, Berkshire. It featured significant milestones, including the first flight of a Thunder-built balloon and the flight of the world’s first hot air airship. The meet moved to Savernake Forest in 1975, to Warren Farm in 1993, and then to Marlborough Common in 2014. In 2015, it relocated to Folly Dog Leg, Hungerford before finally settling at its current location, Donnington Grove Hotel & Country Club, in 2016.
After the Dante Balloon Group initially organized the event, its organization was taken over by the 3-4-40 Region of the British Balloon and Airship Club in 2016. Since then, the event has maintained its status as an informal, non-sponsored meet while continuing to attract balloonists from across the country and beyond.
Icicle Refrozen remains the longest continually running balloon event in the world, and it stands as a beloved tradition in the ballooning community, offering a spectacular location for flying, accommodation, and trade stands.
Report by Gary Morris and Matt Sudol.
© South West Aviation Photographers 2025.