Green Dragons Paragliding

Green Dragons is the largest paragliding school in southern England — based on the North Downs near Caterham in Surrey, about a 35-minute drive south of central London. It operates two BHPA-approved training sites within the same valley, which gives instructors strong wind-direction flexibility and means students get more airtime per course than at many UK schools.

What to expect

The school offers a full BHPA pathway from tandem flights through Elementary, Club Pilot and Pilot ratings. The main training site is a long, south-facing chalk ridge that produces reliable ridge-lift in southerly winds; the secondary site catches northerlies. The Surrey landscape is gentler than the Peak District or Wales but has the advantage of being close to London — an easy training option for riders without time for week-long destination courses.

Practical notes

Open year-round, with the bulk of training running April-October. Course bookings via the website; the school operates a single course per cohort which keeps instructor ratios strong. Tandem flights run on most weekend days when conditions allow. Caterham has cafes and accommodation; bring waterproofs and proper footwear even in summer (the take-off sites are exposed). Worth checking the school's weather-window policy when booking — UK paragliding regularly requires rebooking days.

Who it suits

Green Dragons covers the full range, from complete beginners taking a first tandem flight to people working through the BHPA pathway toward a Pilot rating. Its proximity to London and pair of training sites make it a popular choice for Londoners learning to fly without travelling far.

Getting there

The school is on the North Downs near Caterham in Surrey. Caterham and Woldingham stations are close by on the London commuter network, but the ridge sites themselves are rural, so you will generally need a car or a lift from the school to reach the launch on the day.

Quick answers

Do you need experience to try paragliding here?

No. Tandem flights take a complete beginner into the air alongside an instructor, and the BHPA Elementary course is designed for people who have never flown.

How long does it take to learn to fly?

An Elementary Pilot course runs over a few days; reaching the Club Pilot rating that lets you fly independently typically takes a full season of weather-dependent days.

When is the best time of year?

Spring through autumn gives the most flyable days. Paragliding depends entirely on wind and weather, so courses are usually spread across several available days rather than booked as fixed dates.