Longleat
A splendid 16th Century house, safari park and a wonderland of family attractions, Longleat offers everything from antiquarian interests to just plain old good fun.
From the grand entrance winding through an undulating landscape of ancient trees, you come out to a gentle valley in which, nestled below, is the elegant golden stone palace of Longleat House, standing in an estate of 900 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped gardens.
Built in the 1580s, Longleat House is a magnificent example of Elizabethan architecture with its romantic balustrades and mullioned windows. Longleat has been home to the Thynne family for 14 generations and a little over 450 years, ever since the site was purchased from Henry VIII for £53 in 1541 to its current owner, the Marquess of Bath, who continues to reside in private apartments at Longleat.
The house was first opened to the public in 1949 and visitors to Longleat are greeted by a priceless collection of paintings by Tintoretto, Wootton, Longhi, van Goyen, Lawrence and Reynolds; by 18th Century ceilings by John Dibblee Crace; along with a magnificent collection of 17th Century Flemish tapestries. In stark contrast to all of these are Lord Bath's own paintings, most of which can be found displayed in the Conference Rooms.
Longleat's gardens are among the most magnificent to be found in the country and are famous for its hedge mazes. Its collection includes the Love Labyrinth, the Sun Maze and the Lunar Labyrinth, while The Secret Garden and Pleasure Walk will delight any keen gardener.
One of Longleat’s prized attractions is the amazing drive-through Safari Park with Lions, tigers, rhinos, giraffes and monkeys that love to sit on your car, occasionally taking the odd windscreen wiper! Other attractions on the estate include the Butterfly Garden, a Safari Boat Trip, Pets Corner, Adventure Castle and lots more fun for the whole family. Longleat is wonderful for a day with family orientated fun that has something for everyone.
