About this flying site
Park on the main track, without blocking it or the gates into the surrounding fields. Do not drive into any of the fields.
Coward's bowl paragliding site and weather forecast
UK. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Coward's bowl.
Altitude187 m
Launch directionsS, SW
Coordinates51.1087, -2.2773
AreaUK
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Coward's bowl is a hill site in UK with a recorded launch elevation of 187 m. It works best in southerly and 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 Coward's bowl from Magic Skyweed's latest forecast runs (17 Sept, 17:28 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 Sept58/100 Marginal · top-to-bottomhigh confidence
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
- Sun 20 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Mon 21 Sept24/100 No-go · top-to-bottommedium confidence
- Tue 22 Sept78/100 Good · ridgelow confidence
- Wed 23 Sept32/100 No-go · top-to-bottomlow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Coward's bowl
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Coward's bowl doesn't cover.
Monksdownnortherly wind, 19 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 258 m · N launchUbleynorth-easterly wind, 36 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 185 m · NE launchHambledon Hilleasterly wind, 22 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 150 m · E launchRifle Rangesouth-easterly wind, 0 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 165 m · SE, S launchWhitesheetwesterly wind, 17 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 225 m · W launchWestbury White Horsenorth-westerly wind, 19 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 210 m · NW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Take-off
Anywhere in the bowl facing into the prevailing wind. Paragliders should not launch directly in front of rigging hang glider pilots. Be aware that in stronger winds it may not be possible to penetrate out from the bowl.
Landing
Bottom landing is only possible if the field below take-off is not in crop. If a disaster happens and you do land in the crops walk out causing the minimum amount of damage and apologise to the farmer at Wood Farm.
Access and parking
There are two ways to reach this site with the first being much kinder to your car given the current state of the track that runs across the top of the Downs.
Flight rules
Can be difficult to get away from as you have to commit to leaving at a lower height than is usual. Be aware of the Salisbury Plain ranges which are 7 miles to the NE. Beware of the wild-life park at Longleat, 4 miles to the N.
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Coward's bowl
Rifle Range0 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 165 m · SE, S launchWhitesheet17 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 225 m · W launchMonksdown19 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 258 m · N launchWestbury White Horse19 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 210 m · NW launchWestbury - Bratton Camp20 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 215 m · N launchCorton Denham21 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 169 m · SW 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