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.
Who it suits
Cloudbase suits beginners starting out and pilots who want both free-flight paragliding and powered paragliding under one roof. The mix of airfield and ridge sites makes it adaptable across a wide range of conditions, which is useful for keeping a course moving.
Getting there
The base is Membury Airfield in Berkshire, off the M4 between Hungerford and Lambourn. The nearest stations are Hungerford and Newbury, but the airfield and the surrounding downland sites are rural, so a car is the practical way to get there.
Quick answers
What's the difference between paragliding and powered paragliding?
Paragliding relies on wind and terrain for lift; powered paragliding (paramotoring) adds a motor and propeller so you can launch from flat ground and fly in calmer conditions. Cloudbase teaches both.
Do you need experience to start?
No. The BHPA Elementary course assumes no prior flying experience and starts with ground handling before your first flights.
When is the best time of year?
The main season runs spring to autumn. Because everything depends on the weather, training is booked flexibly around flyable days.
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.
