About this flying site
Rarely flown. has gained a reputation as a poor site suffering from turbulance at times and no bottom landing. It is a rare inland SW site. some XC potential. site also used by Aeromodellers.
Bulbarrow paragliding site and weather forecast
Dorset / Wiltshire. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Bulbarrow.
Altitude253 m
Launch directionsSW
Coordinates50.8505, -2.3226
AreaDorset / Wiltshire
Managing club: Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Bulbarrow is a hill site in Dorset / Wiltshire with a recorded launch elevation of 253 m. It works best in south-westerly 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 Bulbarrow 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
- Fri 18 Sept17/100 No-go · ridgehigh confidence
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
- Mon 21 Sept35/100 No-go · top-to-bottommedium confidence
- Tue 22 Sept32/100 No-go · top-to-bottomlow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Bulbarrow
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Bulbarrow doesn't cover.
Monksdownnortherly wind, 22 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 258 m · N launchPortland Eastnorth-easterly wind, 34 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 113 m · NE launchHambledon Hilleasterly wind, 10 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 150 m · E launchRifle Rangesouth-easterly wind, 29 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 165 m · SE, S launchWhite Horsesoutherly wind, 22 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 143 m · S launchCowdownwesterly wind, 15 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW launchBell Hillnorth-westerly wind, 4 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 253 m · 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
The area immediately below the gate (///depth.dented.unity) may be used but be aware that it is close to the bridleway. Alternatively, the top landing field can be used.
Landing
Top landing: (See above) The large field between the top of the sloping hill side and the road. Bottom landing: No Bottom Landing Negotiated!
Access and parking
From Blandford – Follow the Blandford by-pass toward Shaftesbury (A350). About 1 mile northwest of Blandford turn left (west) at the traffic lights onto the A357 toward Sherborne.
Local weather notes
Can be very rough with significant rotor especially if off a little west. beware bowl effect. no bottomlanding
Hazards and cautions
- This site can be very rough and experience significant rotor, especially if the wind is off to the west. Beware large-scale bowl effect. There is no official bottom landing so you must be very practiced at side landing in confined spaces on an irregular scrub-covered slope. Be aware that horses use the bridleway. Do not inflate canopies if they are nearby and do not over fly.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Bulbarrow
Bell Hill4 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 253 m · NW launchHambledon Hill10 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 150 m · E launchTelegraph Hill13 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 256 m · NW launchCowdown15 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW launchWhite Horse22 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 143 m · S launchMonksdown22 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 258 m · N 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