John Hampton green plaque

This green commemorative plaque records: A Mr John Hampton was the first person to make a successful descent by a parachute. The event took place on October 3rd 1838 from a balloon which ascended from these gardens. Mr Hampton's descent lasted 12 minutes 40 seconds and he landed at Badgeworth. The parachute was rigid, made of canvas stretched over a framework of whalebone ribs and bamboo stretchers attached by a copper tube to a wicker basket. Recorded plaque organisation: Cheltenham Civic Society.

John Hampton was the first person to make a successful descent by parachute in 1838, marking a significant milestone in the development of parachuting technology. His feat from a balloon over Badgeworth demonstrated the practicality and safety of using parachutes for controlled descents.