Cloudbase Paragliding operates from Membury Airfield in Berkshire — a former WW2 USAAF airfield off the M4 between Hungerford and Lambourn. The school covers paragliding and powered paragliding training across the Berkshire Downs and the wider Wessex region, using a mix of airfield and ridge sites depending on conditions.
What to expect
BHPA Elementary courses (4-5 days), tandem flights, Club Pilot continuation. The Membury airfield gives a controlled training environment for the ground-school phase and first hops. Ridge training takes place at sites on the Berkshire Downs (the Ridgeway country) and occasionally on the South Downs further south. The setting is gentler than upland UK paragliding sites — ideal for first-time learners.
Practical notes
March-October is the practical season. Hungerford, Marlborough and Newbury all have B&B and small-hotel options within easy driving distance. Membury is well-positioned for London-area learners — under 90 minutes from west London by car. Lessons book ahead through the website. The airfield cafe is basic; bring a packed lunch. Combine course week with walks on the Ridgeway or a visit to Avebury.
Train, parking, drive…
- Train
- Hungerford (GWR from London Paddington, ~1h)
- Parking
- Membury Airfield on-site
- Postcode
- RG17 7TJ
- Drive
- ~1h30 from London
- Car-free?
- Possible
Transport details are best-effort and worth double-checking on the day — rural buses and station services change with the timetable.
If you’ve got an extra day…
Plan it yourself.
The most authoritative sources we know of for this site — routes, conditions, governing bodies and operators. Open in a new tab.
- BHPA British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association — qualifications and instructor accreditation.
- BHPA Sites Guide flying sites by region and recommended local clubs.
- XCWeather pilot-focused weather forecasts — wind, cloudbase, thermal index.
- RASP UK thermal soaring forecast model used by UK XC pilots.
