About this flying site
If ground conditions are suitable and your vehicle and you are capable drive to the top of the track. Park off the track along the fence line.
Bell Hill paragliding site and weather forecast
Dorset / Wiltshire. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Bell Hill.
Altitude253 m
Launch directionsNW
Coordinates50.8753, -2.2897
AreaDorset / Wiltshire
Managing club: Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Bell Hill is a hill site in Dorset / Wiltshire with a recorded launch elevation of 253 m. It works best in north-westerly winds, and can also work in northerly winds. Pilots fly it for ridge soaring and thermal, using foot launch.
- Terrain
- hill
- Lift
- ridge soaring and thermal
- Launch
- foot launch
- Cross-country
- Not recorded
Recent forecast scores
Day scores for Bell Hill from Magic Skyweed's latest forecast runs (17 Sept, 15:39 UTC), on our 0–100 flying scale. The live forecast scores every hour against your own glider and limits.
- Thu 17 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
- Sun 20 Sept35/100 No-go · ridgemedium confidence
- Mon 21 Sept64/100 Good · ridgemedium confidence
- Tue 22 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Wed 23 Sept0/100 No-golow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Bell Hill
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Bell Hill doesn't cover.
Portland Eastnorth-easterly wind, 37 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 113 m · NE launchHambledon Hilleasterly wind, 7 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 150 m · E launchRifle Rangesouth-easterly wind, 26 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 165 m · SE, S launchWhite Horsesoutherly wind, 25 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 143 m · S launchBulbarrowsouth-westerly wind, 4 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 253 m · SW launchCowdownwesterly wind, 18 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Take-off
Launch in front of the windsock or anywhere south along the ridge. Be sure you are far enough down the hill that you will not get dragged into parked cars or the fence if you fluff the launch.
Landing
Top landing: The Club has not been able to establish an agreement for top landing since ownership changed in 2012.
Access and parking
Travelling from either Stuminster Newton or Blandford drive into Shillingstone on the A357. From Blandford look out for the war memorial on your right, now take the next left turn signed for Okeford Fitzpaine.
Local weather notes
Probably the biggest hazard on this site is other pilots. On a good summers day, particularly when the wind is light, and everyone is trying to fly in thermic cycles. Things can get crowded and a little manic.
Hazards and cautions
- Probably the biggest hazard on this site is other pilots. On a good summer’s day, particularly when the wind is light, and everyone is trying to fly in thermic cycles. Things can get crowded and a little manic. Please ensure that you know the collision avoidance rules, and use them. There are times when some politeness and plain etiquette come into play. If you feel uncomfortable in a crowded sky, land. The ridge shallows to the West above the entrance gate and further west power lines run down the hill. It is possible to become pinned in increased venturi in this area. If the wind is off to the north, the take-off and landing areas can be turbulent. Don’t get caught out by patches of sink and dumped in the scrub or trees if scratching in the bowl. Please avoid the temptation to land close to the lower car park (at the bottom of the track) due to it being in rotor from the tree line behind it (NW). With care it is possible to land on the rising ground on the other side of the track - the higher up the slope the better.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Bell Hill
Bulbarrow4 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 253 m · SW launchHambledon Hill7 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 150 m · E launchTelegraph Hill16 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 256 m · NW launchCowdown18 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW launchMonksdown19 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 258 m · N launchWhitesheet21 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 225 m · W launch
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.
More paragliding sites in the UK · Read the paragliding weather guide