About this flying site
Parking There is a stile in the fence line at the site entrance. Do not block access to others by parking in front of the stile. Park as tight as possible to the fence on the grass verge.
Monksdown paragliding site and weather forecast
UK. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Monksdown.
Altitude258 m
Launch directionsN
Coordinates50.9862, -2.0869
AreaUK
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Monksdown is a hill site in UK with a recorded launch elevation of 258 m. It works best in northerly winds, and can also work in north-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 Monksdown 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 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
- Sat 19 Sept0/100 No-gohigh confidence
- Sun 20 Sept29/100 No-go · ridgemedium confidence
- Mon 21 Sept21/100 No-go · top-to-bottommedium confidence
- Tue 22 Sept0/100 No-gomedium confidence
- Wed 23 Sept0/100 No-golow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Monksdown
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Monksdown doesn't cover.
Westbury - Bratton Campnorth-easterly wind, 31 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 215 m · N launchHambledon Hilleasterly wind, 12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 150 m · E launchRifle Rangesouth-easterly or southerly wind, 19 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 165 m · SE, S launchCoward's bowlsouth-westerly wind, 19 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 187 m · S, SW launchWhitesheetwesterly wind, 3 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 225 m · W launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Take-off
The close proximity of the trees behind the road can give the illusion that the wind is stronger than it really is. Launch here is pretty straight forward.
Access and parking
From Shaftesbury take the A30 towards Salisbury, drive through Ludwell and take the right hand turn signed for Ashmore (Dennis Lane). Take the next left and follow signs to Rushmore. From Salisbury, take the A30 Shaftesbury Road.
Local weather notes
The site has been known to be turbulent on strong Northerly days owing to the ridge out in front. There is also a possibility of rotor from the Winklebury ridge when the wind is off to the east, particularly to the east side of the ridge.
Flight rules
June 2020: AVOID flying here, as the local clubs are in the process of renegotiationg access with the landowner(s). Do NOT jeopardize these efforts!!!
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Monksdown
Whitesheet3 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 225 m · W launchHambledon Hill12 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 150 m · E launchRifle Range19 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 165 m · SE, S launchBell Hill19 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 253 m · NW launchCoward's bowl19 km away · Avon Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 187 m · S, SW launchBulbarrow22 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 253 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